~~Hi all! Does your dojo have a separate program for children/young people? We hadn't had one in the beginning, but later, and last year some of the first shodan adolescents were promoted. Now they're filtering into the regular evening classes (and sometimes the program teacher brings them all to the adult beginner classes). They are so much fun to train with, relate to and enjoy for what they bring. I make a point of chatting with the girls in the lockerroom because they tend to cluster with themselves, like they're not sure of their place. Some I've known for years now and have loved watching them grow, hearing about their current activities and challanges(raised two of my own).
~~I love training with the younger ones, too, how excited they become when they 'get' something! Kinda reminds me of me as I tend to jump about saying things like "oo-oo-oo!"
Unlike many of the adult serious-poops they show that you can have skill AND joy! When I show them their lack of balance they want to figure it out, not get angry; when they show me my lack of balance I thank them and they beam, then they keep dumping me until [i] figure it out.
~~Have fun!
young Aikidoka
