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Old 04-23-2002, 05:37 AM   #2
PeterR
 
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Dojo: Shodokan Honbu (Osaka)
Location: Himeji, Japan
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,319
Japan
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Duct tape - lots of duct tape.

Why would you want to?

Seriously though they start them out really young here. Nothing in the world cuter than a three year old doing unsoku - ichi ni san ......

Some of the twelve year olds hold serious promise but you know Aikido is one of those things you really have to find yourself. Few in the kids classes join the adults when its time ... of course those that do turn out to be serious players.

Finally, again my perspective, all Aikido or Judo has to offer the really young is some rolling around time. The lesson of Budo takes a bit of maturity. That and the fact that a 15 year old can get in a year as someone the same age who has been practicing for five on average - why bother. I suspect the main reason this is done is because although Shodokan Honbu is a place of serious budo study it is still a community dojo. Kids classes are community service - rediculously low prices especially when you compare it to dance or music and a money loser when you see the size of the class.

Here no matter how good they are - when they walk into the adults class they start at the beginning. Might move up the ranks quicker but it does involve a mental frame shift.

Peter Rehse Shodokan Aikido
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