Kids' classes are very successful at 276 Carlaw Avenue, Studio 306. This is thanks to a lot of work by many of the adult students and to the parents who have supported the classes. As well, we are grateful for the neighbourhood's enthusiastic reception.

We started out with a Saturday morning class. After six months at our new location the attendance increased to the bursting point where we had to add on another (evening) class to the schedule. And it hasn't taken long to get the enrollment up for the new Wednesday class, either.

Matthew testing

Several years ago Homayun (Amir) Kordbacheh initiated kids' classes at the Bloor Valley Club with a couple of students—a number of whom are still practicing. In fact, the most senior member of the kids' classes recently passed the adult level fifth kyu. Homayun Sensei continues to teach the Saturday morning classes and is delighted with all the great new kids who have started up in the last year. Ivan Booth teaches the additional class on Wednesday evenings.

students also seem to enjoy throwing around a big person in class

Many adult students show up at classes to help out. Betsy Bond is often on the mat as a gentle "policewoman," helping to check on student posture and to redirect flagging attention back. At the end of class Joseph Shaw always makes sure a student's birthday is acknowledged. The students also seem to enjoy throwing around a big person in class when given the chance.

Kids learn about posture, attentiveness, courtesy and how to use their power in healthy ways. Classes start out with a warm up—Ivan Sensei challenges them with his bouncy warm ups and his ability to put his foot into his own ear! Then there is practice in ukemi, the art of falling safely into forward and backward rolls. The rest of the class is partner practice, where the teacher demonstrates a technique and each student pairs up with another to work on it. Often there are games thrown in as well.

Kids practicing forward rolls

Over the past year the kids have also been part of our Aikido seminars and attended special classes with Takeguchi Sensei in March, with Waite Sensei in June and most recently with Kawahara Sensei at the beginning of October.

Andrew (foreground) and Timothy (background) testing

Soon the second session of testing at the dojo will be held as students will seek promotions to sixth, seventh and eighth kyu levels. This is an exciting time when students can see the results of one another's steady work in class. They receive coloured ribbons for their belts as a sign of their accomplishment.

The kids' classes are for boys and girls six to twelve years of age. Classes are Saturdays, 10-11:15 and Wednesdays, 6:30-7:30. The fees are $20 a month and $15 for each sibling.



Other Articles
· Aikido for Kids - by Fran Turner
· Anna, age (almost) 10 - by Anna
· Aikido From A Youth's Point of View - by Timothy
· A Brief History of the Kids' Classes - by Homayun Kordbacheh