Teaching Materials

Sessions are:

• June 22-26
• July 20-24
• July 27-31
• August 10-14.

Aikido of Berkeley presents Kamp Kokyu, the debut of the San Francisco Bay Area's Aiki Arts Summer Camp for kids. This is a unique opportunity for children aged 7-14 to work together to develop skills that will ground them in confidence and harmony through life's physical and social conflicts and creative challenges.

Download Flyer or Registration Form

Want to help people through aikido and have a really good time? Read on.

Acão Harmonia Brasil (Harmony in Action Brazil) teaches aikido to children in the favela slums of São Paulo. The results have been outstanding with students having fun, learning lots, and receiving great benefit in their lives as a result. The leader of one group that AHB works with stated, “Aikido has become as essential to the children as food and school.” Aikido teaches them calmness, gentleness, confidence, self discipline, and an alternative to the endemic violent conflicts of their world. Jose Bueno AHB Founder says simply, “We make a space where they can be kids.” There is also a “rub off” effect on the community as a whole.

Acão Harmonia has recently expanded and now shows aikido and aiki-principles in schools, at numerous demonstrations, and the kids even help out the country’s top executives at consultancy courses — a radical notion in country with a large wealth gap. An American company has been moved to make a documentary of the program, and AHB has appeared on Brazilian national TV.

A team of local yudansha volunteers is the project's core — and with the aid of Aiki Extensions the first volunteer from the UK has just completing a six month stay. This has added much to the program as he has been able to work full time and bring a wider view for the children who live in enclosed world with limited options. Two Australian volunteers will arrive soon in his place.

Acão Harmonia is looking to connect with dojos and aikidoka abroad that are interested in this work. Dojos could receive Jose Bueno as a workshop leader; sponsor a kids program or a start a letter writing exchange with their own kid’s class (we have already done this with friends in Israel).

more details about how you can get involved with this amazing program here or email Mark Walsh

Here's another great Aikido cause you can support - with your time, your heart, or your wallet:

Dear Aikido Community,

It is our firm conviction and experience that Aikido creates lessons and life skills for youth. For a year now, we have been working with youth in Oakland schools, trying to spread the possibilities of peacefully negotiated conflict through Aikido practice. However, just weeks ago, a new street shrine showed up marking the death of yet another young person from violence. We need your financial support to bring Aikido into communities where it is needed.

What You Can Do To Help

• $35 will pay for a student uniform
• $50 will help pay for food and supplies.
• $100 will help offset student costs.
• $300 will sponsor a youth for the week workshop.

Come this spring, we have the opportunity to hold a Voices of Youth, Movements of Peace collaborative event with Michael Meade of Mosaic Foundation for these youth living amidst the turmoil of East Oakland neighborhoods.

Whereas childhood is mostly about growth,
youth is more about radical change.
Before youth can become old enough to be responsible,
they must become ancient enough to awaken to who they are at heart.
--- Michael Meade from his book The Water of Life.

The project, scheduled for Spring ’09, provides a forum in which 25 youth and mentors will encounter potent ideas and practices from a wide variety of cultures. The five-day event will seek to awaken the genius of youth and the wisdom of elders merging the ancient power of poetry and the ethic tradition of Aikido. The participating youth will seek to express their visions of an alternative to neglect and violence in favor of recognition and cooperation. - for details email Noel Amherd (noelamherd@sbcglobal.net).

Instructors: October 3 (Friday evening training - Sunday afternoon) October 5, 2008

Kids 5-12 - Saturday 10-11:30

Kids 12-17 Sunday 9-10:30

Aiki Kodomo Kenshukai - a Teaching Aikido to Children Workshop,the West Coast follow-up to the wonderful event in Virginia in 2006 - All instructors welcome - flyer here, detailed brochure here.

There will be 2 special classes for kids each day as part of the workshop. All Bay-Area aikido students are encouraged to come and experience some of the best teachers in the country: Kids 5-12 classes are from 10-11:30 on Saturday morning, and Teens (age 12-17) are from 9:00 to 10:30 on Sunday Morning. Details here. Questions about the kids training can be sent to: rk@aikidokids.com

Camp Susquehannock - a traditional (founded 1905) sports camp, is the only full-spectrum overnight camp we could find (using Google) that offers Aikido as part of its program. 4 week and 3 week sessions. Questions about the Aikido program can be sent to: rk@aikidokids.com

This summer saw special demonstrations by Hanna Jiryis, 3rd Dan, and Jamie Zimron, 5th Dan. Aikido students came from as far as California and Israel.

Autumn Annual AikidoKids 24-hour Gasshuku.

Hosted by Aikido West and AikidoKids.com - join instructors Cyndy Hayashi Sensei (6th Dan), Robert Kent, Alex Vanderburgh (both 3rd Dan), Don Penny (Karate 5th Dan, Aikido 1st Dan), and Joel Riggs. Kids (age 9+, but see Gasshuku page for details), Parents, and other Instructors welcome to join us for an Aikido Intensive weekend.

Aikido West

Redwood City, CA

Autumn Annual AikidoKids 24-hour Gasshuku.

Hosted by Aikido West and AikidoKids.com - join instructors Cyndy Hayashi Sensei (6th Dan), Robert Kent, Molly Hale, Alex Vanderburgh (all 3rd Dan), and Don Penny (Karate 5th Dan, Aikido 1st Dan). Kids (age 9+, but see Gasshuku page for details), Parents, and other Instructors welcome to join us for an Aikido Intensive weekend..

Update: A great time was had by all.

Aikido West

Redwood City, CA

4th Annual Bay Area AikidoKids 24-hour Gasshuku

Hosted by Aikido of Berkeley - instructors Kayla Feder Sensei (6th Dan), Robert Kent, Craig O'Connor, Neil Mick (all 3rd Dan), Joel Riggs, and Don Penny (both Sho Dan), led 40 kids and parents from eight Bay Area dojos for an Aikido Intensive weekend.

Pictures Gallery Here

Aikido of Berkeley

Richmond, CA