NOLA Aikido Martial Arts in New Orleans

An Ideal Martial Art for Children

Aikido is an ideal martial art for children because it emphasizes peaceful conflict resolution. It is fun and allows your child to learn and grow together with other children. Collaboration is key, and competition is kept to a minimum (reserved only for games). Your child will feel safe to explore all kinds of movement. While learning awareness, discipline, and self-defense, children of all ages also increase flexibility, balance, proper posture, strength, and overall fitness. And Aikido is a lot of fun for children of all ages and can safely be practiced from the age of 4 years old and up. It is an ideal physical activity for children, educating the physical, intellectual, and emotional intelligences at the same time.

Our children’s classes are offered for three different age groups (with teenagers being welcome to practice in our adult basics classes):

Peaceful Samurais

For our youngest children, beginning around age 4. Helps students learn to use their bodies in fun, interactive ways. Movement, breathing, stretching, and balance are all developed in the context of games.

• Tuesdays 4:30 – 5:15 p.m.

Peaceful Ninjas

For young children, beginning around age 7. Introduces students to classical Aikido in a step-by-step fashion in accord with the abilities and emotional maturity of those involved. Through connection studies and grounded movement, students learn that yielding can be powerful and that gentleness can be strong.

• Mondays (with Peaceful Warriors) and Thursdays 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Peaceful Warriors

For older children, beginning around age 10. Continues the practice of principles and techniques of classical Aikido with an emphasis on the development of communicative competence, emotional intelligence, self-regulation, anger management, and healthy social interaction. Students develop strength and flexibility while exploring responsible uses of power.

• Mondays (with Peaceful Ninjas) and Wednesdays 4:30 – 5:50 p.m.

Teenagers

Teenagers from the age of approximately 13  will have the opportunity to attend the adult Basics classes when they are ready.

Monthly Dues

Peaceful Samurais: $60/month

Peaceful Ninjas/Warriors: $70/month

Additional Child Discount: for families with more than one child practicing with us, each additional child attending class receives a $10 discount off the monthly dues.

We prefer dues to be paid by credit or debit card.  Dues are charged to your card on the 1st or 15th of the month on a recurring basis during the duration of your membership.  If you would like to suspend or cancel your membership, please let us know before the start of the next calendar month.  We do not require contracts.

Cash and check are also accepted.

New Student Special

NOLA Aikido offers a new student special which includes your child’s first two months of Aikido practice plus a keiko-gi (the white practice uniform and belt.)   This is a very cost-effective way to get your child started in their Aikido practice.

$145 for Peaceful Warriors and Peaceful Ninjas

$125 for Peaceful Samurais

Good To Know About Our Children’s Classes

The first class is free so your child can try it out and see if s/he enjoys it. Please have your child wear sweat pants and a t-shirt to class so they can freely and comfortably move. Please no shorts or jeans.

Parents are welcome to get on the mats and practice and play with us, to sit in our viewing area during class, or to leave and come back.