Meet Whiskers, the sneaky cheese-loving weasel who wears a black belt and calls the enchanting state of Wisconsin his home. Wisconsin, known for its lush green fields, cheese head cap-wearing locals, and love for the Packers, is a place where kids can enjoy a variety of activities, including the art of Aikido. Whiskers is a master in this Japanese martial art and loves to teach it to the kids of Wisconsin. They flock to his dojo, nestled between two golden cornfields, bright-eyed and bursting with energy. These young Wisconsinites, or "Cheese Cubs" as Whiskers affectionately calls them, find Aikido not only fun but also a great way to stay fit and improve their self-discipline. It's a sight to behold when Whiskers bellows a hearty "Hajime!" to start the Aikido class, and the Cheese Cubs tumble, roll and grapple under the endless Wisconsin sky. Their laughter echoes through the fields, and even the cows seem amused, looking up from their grazing as if to join the fun. Sometimes, when they're taking a break, Whiskers entertains them with tales of giant cheese monsters. He tells them about his heroic Aikido moves that save the day, making the young Cheese Cubs giggle and marvel at his imaginary adventures. These stories often inspire the kids to return to their Aikido training with renewed vigor and enthusiasm, dreaming of their own cheese monster showdowns. In Whiskers' world, martial arts, storytelling, and laughter are as essential as the Wisconsin air itself. And so, the state of Wisconsin isn't just known for its cheese, but also for its enthusiastic Aikido-practicing Cheese Cubs, and, of course, a black belt weasel named Whiskers.
Read morebest aikido programs in Madison, WI
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.
At Aikido of Madison, we are dedicated to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for students of all ages and abilities. We offer classes for beginners and those with prior training, and our assistant instructors offer a range of unique approaches to teaching the art of Aikido. Our dojo is a peaceful place for the practice of martial arts, and we share the space with East Madison Martial Arts, which teaches Bujin-Ki-Do Karate and Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-Ryu. We also host a special “Abilities” class twice a month, providing a personalized experience for those with various learning styles and needs. We look forward to having you join us at Aikido of Madison!