AIKIDO RYU - JUNIOR AIKIDO DEMONSTRATION
Every year, Yoshinkan Aikido Ryu hosts a kids aikido demonstration especially for students in their second year at elementary school and above. Students from Ryu affiliates and various other clubs gather from all around the country to participate in the Junior Aikido Demonstration. In 2011 at the 7th Annual Junior Aikido Demonstration there were over 170 partipants.
In aikido there are no contests or competitions. One reason for this is so that students don't become fixated on points or rankings.
However, the Junior Aikido Demonstration takes the form of a tournament. Competitors are separated into two divisions; beginners and students from the lower grades are placed in the 'Rising Dragons' section while advanced students are placed in the 'Flying Dragons' section. This ensures that students have a fair chance at contending in their appropriate level.
The Junior Aikido Demonstration gives students a clear and achievable goal. This raises their enthusiasm for aikido and increases positivity towards their training.
Of course, the children themselves are not the only ones to benefit from the Junior Aikido Demonstration. Parents; grandparents and siblings also enjoy coming out to watch the event and see at first hand what their children are learning in aikido!
