ANNOUNCEMENTS: Mark Larson Pictures are in the Photo Gallery!! Check it out! Kid's class dues will be increasing to $45 per month at the new year.

Aikido training for kids is fun, effective self-defense, and beneficial in many ways both physical and emotional.  River City Aikido prides itself on providing professional instruction, fostering a class atmosphere of trust and safety, and keeping high expectations for behavior and social interaction. Adult supervision is constant and vigilant, and the ratio of children to adults in the room is typically 6:1, sometimes more if the class is smaller.  Class sizes do not generally exceed 12.  We believe that individualized instruction is essential, and classes of a larger size generally prevent the attention that children need. Brian Hill is a licensed clinical social worker, and works with children professionally.  Julie Linker, Phd, a clinical psychologist, is the primary co-instructor, is a licensed child psychologist.  Tim Ford, MA, a chaplain at VCU Health System, is a regular helper.  So a parent can be assured that the child is being treated with dignity and respect at all times, and that the individual learning needs of the child are being professionally evaluated and respected.

Aikido practice extends beyond the mat, and at River City Aikido, fostering positive relationships with family members is essential.  Listening to parents expertise about their children and involving them in their child's training is important for the child to feel supported.   Instructors Brian Hill and Julie Linker have also pioneered an exciting new method of bringing aikido practice to children with challenging emotional and behavioral needs.  The Therapeutic Martial Arts Program at the nationally known Virginia Treatment Center for Children has been widely lauded among the children, staff, and parents.  Brian and Julie look forward to bringing the program into the community for children who wouldn't typically fit into regular martial arts classes.  Please see the link above to a more technical description of the program. We do expect children to test for promotion to the next color belt, as this fosters goal setting and an achievement oriented mindset, while also providing challenge and healthy stress to learn coping in a safe, structured environment.  The instructors provide ample coaching and mentoring to insure readiness and provide success experiences for children.

Kids' Aikido Classes