Aikido for Kids
Aikido gives children a way to learn about themselves, their bodies, and their environment.
Movement and the development of the child are closely related.
Aikido is about movement in harmony with oneself, others and the world.
We are excited to offer three classes for children for ages 6-14.
The Little Warriors (ages 6-8) class is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:45 – 4:30pm with a limit of 8 students. For more information please email us at adi@aikidolittlewarriors.com to see if there is room or to join the waitlist. Little Warriors has its own web site: https://aikidolittlewarriors.com/
The Juniors Class (ages 9-14) is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:00 – 6:00pm.
The Teens Class (ages 12+) is held on Mondays and Wednesdays 5:00 – 6:00pm. We suggest watching both a kids class and an adults class to see which might be a more comfortable fit for young adults in this age group.
Practicing Aikido supports the total development of your child. Children practice in a friendly, coed atmosphere. Our specially qualified instructors use games, techniques, and tumbling exercises to teach children how to defend themselves without hurting others. It is difficult to describe Aikido in words. The best way to understand it is to visit our dojo, watch a class, and decide for yourself if Aikido would benefit your child. Aikido training improves strength, balance, physical coordination, and flexibility. Aikido offers a good workout, enhances agility, and increases sports ability.
Family Benefits
Aikido offers families a new perspective on fitness, fun, and parental involvement and offers a variety of ways for parents, family, and friends to support and celebrate their child's learning, accomplishments, and promotion.
Social Benefits
Aikido teaches children how to cooperate and succeed. Regular training will help your child develop good learning skills and the kind of follow-through that gives children self-confidence as they grow. Aikido of Berkeley youth programs will help your child learn to:
- make friends and avoid making enemies
- take responsibility and consider others
- relax in stressful situations
- focus and concentrate
- increase mind-body coordination
- develop emotional intelligence
- sit quietly and listen attentively
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David Cicerchi Sensei David is a nidan (2nd degree blackbelt) who has been training since 2012, where he started at Cleveland Aikikai in order to reconnect with his body and find his center after an exhausting 5 years living overseas.
Aikido provided a path and practice for deepening his roots and growing stronger in his life. His passion brought him to Aikido of Berkeley in 2016 to become an Uchi Deshi (live-in student) where he assisted in teaching the kids and teens classes.
Professionally, David coaches leaders and teams to become more authentic, effective, and inclusive in both the corporate and non-profit sectors. His desire is to bring more meaning and connection to a world that seems to have lost these qualities.
In his classes, David blends technical instruction with principles such as centering, connection, and mindful presence. He wants his students to feel appropriately powerful and resilient in the midst of the stress of adolescence so that they can contribute their unique gifts in this world that so desperately craves meaning and purpose.
Adi Sensei Adi Elkin (2nd Dan Black Belt) began her Aikido journey in 2011 and has been teaching children since 2020.
With over a decade of dedicated practice, she brings deep knowledge of the art along with a warm, approachable teaching style.
Adi believes that martial arts should be discovered through experience, curiosity, and joy rather than rigid discipline. In her classes, Adi combines clear instruction with playful games and imaginative movement, creating an environment where kids not only learn techniques but also build focus, confidence, and resilience.
As both a teacher, a parent, and an illustrator, Adi brings a unique artistic eye to her teaching.
She loves weaving creativity and storytelling into each class, helping kids connect with Aikido not just as a martial art, but as a joyful way to move, imagine, and grow.
Suzanne Rudiger Sensei (Sandan) 3rd Degree Black Belt Suzanne began training Aikido in 1981 with David Gamble Sensei in his kid’s classes. He suggested Suzanne classes with Terry Dobson Sensei, and thus began adult Aikido training.
Suzanne has had the great privilege of studying with a number of amazing teachers from differing lineages.
She is ranked Nidan by Louis Jumonville 6th Dan Shihan of Hikari Dojo. As a member of Aikido of Berkeley, she is honored to assist Kayla Feder Shihan and Adi Sensei with kid’s classes.
Working with children is a heart- opening experience for her. Aikido training helps kids become better people. We do this in part by improving both their physical skills (balance, coordination, flexibility, timing, strength, and grace), and kids learn to improve their social skills (cooperativeness, intuition, and empathy.)
Guy Sensei’s (Nidan) practice of the art of teaching is a life long practice. His passion is teaching Aikido, which he has been practicing since 2004.
Learning is a process of exploration and Guy loves to help kids explore their practice of aikido. Through exploration kids learn faster, have more fun, and advance in skills more rapidly.
Guided exploration in the art of Aikido helps them become more grounded, able to process their feelings, cope with frustration, and learn how to focus.
Guy teaches aikido as a way to connect to each other, and form lasting relationships which allow us to grow as people.
Through Aikido we learn to grow and support each other by resolving conflicts in holistic and affirming ways. There is no better way to become your best self than being in community with others.
Please contact us at info@aikidoofberkeley.com with any questions.