Once upon a time, in the sunny, palm-studded state of Florida, there lived a group of extraordinary kids. These weren't just your everyday, run-of-the-mill, ice-cream-chasing, videogame-loving kids. Oh no, these youngsters were different. They were Aikido wizards. Aikido, my dear friends, is not a dish served with sushi, but a fascinating martial art that combines mind, body, and spirit. It's like yoga, but with a little more action, like a ninja turtle doing the downward dog. These Florida Aikido kids were led by their hilarious and loved sensei, none other than Captain Gator - a six-foot tall, green-skinned, black-belt-holding alligator with a sunshine-yellow surfboard under his arm. Captain Gator was so cool, he could make a snowman in the middle of a Florida summer. His motto? “No gator ever won by biting faster, but by being smarter!” Our Aikido kids trained under the glorious Florida sun, amidst the scent of orange blossoms, and the occasional, not-so-welcome visit from a curious seagull. Their agility was like that of frolicking dolphins, their movements as graceful as the herons in flight, and their focus as sharp as the eagle's gaze. Every roll, pivot, and pin was a sight to see, and quite often, a cause for belly laughs if Captain Gator got his tail tangled. The Florida Aikido kids didn't just learn martial arts, but also the art of being kind, respectful, and mindful. Here, in this Sunshine State, they learned to shine, not just under the sun, but under the moon and the stars, and within their own little hearts. And they lived, rolled, and laughed, happily ever after.
Read morebest aikido programs in Hollywood, FL
What began in a humble New York City apartment with just a single student, Spark, has since blossomed into an enriching program impacting thousands of children. Our unique educational approach combines the elements of art, yoga, meditation, and nature to create a holistic learning environment. This distinctive blend is what sets Spark apart, allowing us to reach and inspire a multitude of children in truly meaningful ways. With an array of offerings to accommodate various schedules and needs, Spark has something for everyone. Our services extend beyond the standard after school and weekend classes to include holiday and summer camps, birthday parties, portfolio preparation, private classes, and custom pods. We also welcome homeschool groups and are thrilled to announce the recent addition of a forest school program to our repertoire. You can find Spark on-site in various schools and at our main studio located in the Upper West Side. But we're not stopping there - we're also planning to expand to the Upper East Side and Brooklyn. For our families in Pennsylvania, we run the program from our family studio there. And if you're not in close proximity to any of our locations, don't worry. We offer in-home instruction and virtual options to ensure that Spark can reach you, no matter where you are. We invite you to explore all the ways you can experience Spark and look forward to helping bring our program to you.
Morihei Ueshiba was a master martial artist and a devout follower of the Omoto Kyo Religion. He was born in Western Japan in 1883 and passed away in 1969. Ueshiba had an exceptional level of spiritual awareness and studied several classical styles of Enjin Shin Yo-Ryu Jujutsu, Goto-Ha YagyuShingan-Ryu, and Daito-Ryu Jujutsu. His passion for self-defense inspired him to create Aikido, an art that maximizes protection with minimal force. Aikido training consists of two partners practicing pre-arranged forms. The receiver initiates an attack and the person applying the technique, the tori or shite, neutralizes the attack using an aikido technique. This technique is based on the idea that the least amount of force is used to protect oneself. Aikido is a martial art where one can achieve maximum defense with minimal effort.
Jujutsu is an ancient Japanese martial art that is still practiced today. It focuses on armed and unarmed combat techniques and is sometimes referred to as “Japanese jujutsu” to distinguish it from its Brazilian derivative. It was developed by the samurai of medieval Japan, with each family or clan having their own particular style. Today, jujutsu offers a wide variety of arts such as Judo, Aikido, and many others. Westerners only had access to the study of jujutsu after World War II. This martial art is still a popular practice today and is an effective way to defend oneself.
Ronin Aikidojo is dedicated to preserving the spirit of Master Ueshiba’s teachings while also embracing the evolution of Aikido. We recognize the importance of preserving the history and tradition of this martial art, yet also acknowledge its potential to grow and develop. Striking a balance between the two is our goal. We believe that anything that does not continue to grow and develop will eventually die. Therefore, we strive to continually embrace new ideas and innovations that will propel Aikido to its highest level.