Youth

Get Started with Youth Aikido

Aikido de la montagne offers aikido for children from 4 to 12 years of age. Classes are divided by age and level. For children 6 years of age and older, we have three sessions per year, roughly aligned with the school calendar: (1) in autumn, (2) in winter, and (3) in spring. We have classes on the weekends or after school during the week. For younger children, 4 or 5 years and 6-year-olds, we have sessions of 6 weeks, on late Sunday afternoons (aikido mini). Please check our site for rates and session dates and for additional announcements (e.g., day camp). You may also join our mailing list by clicking here.

 

View the list of Schedule and Fees. You can also shop our Online Store.

If you have any questions about our Youth Program, please write us at [email protected]

Testimonials

“…My 7 year old son has been taking the children’s class at the dojo since he was 5 years old. Mohamed Sensei is an excellent teacher because he makes the training dynamic and fun, without neglecting discipline and respect for others and the place… If you are a parent looking for a good activity in downtown Montreal, I highly recommend Aikido!” Read more testimonials
Paulo B.
“…The practice is well adapted to the children while leading them to learn the code of the dojo and the basics of Aikido.
Since LoĂ¯c has been practicing Aikido, he concentrates better, is more disciplined and integrates well with this martial art…” Read more testimonials
LoĂ¯c’s Dad

Program Goals

The youth program was established by Mohamed Mounji and approved by the chief instructor of the dojo, Claude Berthiaume Shihan. For 20 years we have provided children with the basics in aikido while keeping their needs and wants in mind.

The youth program is not based on the excecution of specific skills. Our instructors patiently provide their expertise to help each individual child. If children enjoy their practice with others, integrate into the group while following the rules and etiquette of the dojo, and thrive, then we have the satisfaction of meeting our aims. Children, like adults, are all different and do not develop in the same manner. We would like children to concentrate on their own learning rather than comparision and competition with others. However, we instruct children to accept the help of their partners. By humbly accepting help from others, children will enhance their development. Additionally, we believe that cultivating the will to help others within a sprit of camaraderie, with patience and without judgement, will benefit everyone.

What Happens During a Class

The instructors show a demonstration of the techniques in a manner suitable for children, often more playfully than the demonstrations for adults, and within their reach. Over time, the practice of kata (movement sequences) with weapons (made of wood) has been incorporated into the youth program. Children enjoy this, and working with the weapons has been a stimulating way to work on aikido techniques and keep children motivated. DISCIPLINE The instructors oversee discipline in class. If there is a behavioural problem, the main instructor will decide how to handle it. For example, the child may be asked to sit at the edge of the tatami for a period of time. If the situation continues, after consultation among the instructors, the issue and possible solutions will be discussed with parents. Happily, in 20 years, we have never had an unsolvable behaviour problem. PARTICIPATION DES PARENTS Occasionally children will be uncomfortable without their parents on the tatami. If you feel this is the case for your child, please consult with the instructor. If necessary, someone close to the child (parent, sibling; preferably with aikido experience) can accompany your child on the tatami. The role of the parent on the tatami is to reassure the child, and to help the child follow the etiquette and stay safe. When the child feels more comfortable, the parent can progressively become more distant and finally leave the tatami. These changes will arise naturally as children are encouraged to widen their comfort zone and to practice with more partners.

Guide

ETHICS AND ETIQUETTE Dojo etiquette is the same for everyone, children and adults, beginners and instructors. It reflects traditional Japanese values. As such, respect for partners and instructors is demanded. We also honor the memory of the Founder and past shihans. When entering or leaving the tatami (training mats), we do a kneeling bow (two knees on the mat, sitting on our knees, toes flat, back straight), then bending at the waist until our torso is horizontal, hands flat on the mat in front of us. When the instructor is ready to start the class, students line up for bows to the Sensei (instructor) and the Kamiza (shrine). If children arrive late, they must stand at the edge of the tatami and wait for the Sensei’s permission before entering. During the class, children are not permitted to leave or enter the tatami without asking the Sensei’s permission. Children will be told not to request such permission for trivial reasons. After the instructor demonstrates a technique, children should bow quickly to a child nearby without being selective about practice partners. Children must practice with everyone without discrimination. Children should bow to each practice partner before and after their practice together. Other rules apply, such as the following: It is important to have clean feet and short nails, to wear nothing which could harm them or their partners, and to have long hair tied back. Silence is requested during bowing and at all times children should not raise their voices so as not to disturb others. Children will be asked to care for their own equipment including folding their gis after class. Off the mat and throughout the dojo respect must be shown. We believe that a respectful attitude enhances relationships between the child and others. AFTER THE AGE OF 12 Until the age of 12, children may only attend youth program classes. After this age, and until the age of 14, students may ask about attending one (select) class for adults without additional costs. The instructor must be convinced that the child is ready (mentally and physically) to integrate well into the adult classes and the dojo chief instructor must agree. The following conditions must be met: (1) the child must continue to attend at least 1 youth class per week and (2) one of the youth instructors must be at the first few classes the child attends with the adults. If the child does not behave responsibly or is at risk of being injured, the child will be asked to stop attending adult classes. Once the child turns 14 years of age, he may join the full adult programme one year ahead of the regular 15 year standard with the authorization of a parent or guardian. The teenager rate applies.

Testing Requirements
List of techniques

There are no tournaments or competitions in aikido, but, as for adults, children may take tests. Testing is an opportunity for children to demonstrate their technical level and their progress. At the start of each session, the instructor will ask children to mark their attendence (on the bulletin board). This allows the instructors to verify children’s hours for the test minima. The children’s program has 6 levels of belt color indicating increasing levels of technical skill and maturity. A minimum number of practice days is required beween exams.

Yellow Stripe Exam (15 days minimum of practice)

Techniques done alone Bows Wrist exercices

  • ikkyo
  • nikyo
  • sankyo
  • kote gaeshi
  • shiho nage

Movements in suwari waza (on your knees)

  • shikko

Movements in tachi waza (standing)

  • irimi
  • tentkan
  • tentai
  • double tenkan
  • ura sankaku

Rolls

  • zenpo kaiten (foward roll)
  • koho kaiten (backward roll)

Yellow Belt Exam (20 days of practice since previous test)

Bows. Tachi waza (standing)

  • gyaku hanmi, katate dori, kokyu nage
  • ai hanmi, katate dori, udekimi nage, omote
  • ai hanmi, katate dori, udekimi nage, ura
  • gyaku hanmi, katate dori, sumi otoshi

Suwari waza (on your knees)

  • ryote dori, kokyu ho

Orange Belt Exam (20 days of practice since previous test)

Bows. Tachi waza (standing)

  • shomen uchi, ikkyo
  • ryote dori, tenchi nage
  • gyaku hanmi, katate dori, uchi kaiten nage
  • gyaku hanmi, katate dori shiho nage (without grasping hand)
  • morote dori, kokyu ho

Green Belt Exam (30 days of practice since previous test)

Bows. Tachi waza

  • gyaku hanmi, katate dori, ikkyo
  • gyaku hanmi, katate dori, shiho nage
  • ryote dori, nikyo
  • tsuki, kote gaeshi
  • gyaku hanmi, katate dori, soto kaiten nage

Blue Belt Exam (30 days of practice since previous test)

Bows. Suwari waza

  • shomen uchi, ikkyo, omote and ura

Tachi waza

  • ai hanmi, katate dori, sankyo
  • shomen uchi, iriminage
  • shomen uchi, shiho nage
  • ushiro ryokatate dori (tekubi dori), kote gaeshi

Brown Belt Exam (40 days of practice since previous test)

Bows. Tachi waza

  • shomen uchi, ikkyo, omote and ura
  • shomen uchi, iriminage
  • gyaku hanmi, katate dori, shiho nage, omote and ura 4. ryote dori, tenchi nage
  • tsuki, kote gaeshi
  • ushir ryokatate dori (tekubi dori), kote gaeshi
  • morote dori, kokyu ho
  • ji waza (2 ukes)

6th KYU TEST (ADULT EXAM)

  • rei

Tachi waza

  • gyaku hanmi, katate dori, sumi otoshi / yoko kaiten ukemi
  • gyaku hanmi, katate dori shiho nage (without grasping hand) / yoko kaiten ukemi
  • gyaku hanmi, katate dori, hitoe iriminage / koho kaiten ukemi
  • gyaku hanmi, katate dori, kokyu nage / zenpo kaiten ukemi
  • ai hanmi, katate dori, udekimi nage / zenpo kaiten ukemi

Suwari waza

  • kokyu ho

Tests are given approximately 3 times each year, at the end of each session. They take place at the dojo under the guidance of the course instructors and the dojo’s chief instructor. In addition to the minimum number of practice days, the child must have the permission of the head instructor for the children’s program, who assesses the child’s level of preparation.

Videos

Yellow stripe

Yellow belt

Orange belt

Green belt

Blue belt

Brown belt

Video Production: Greg Gransden

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