[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.0.9″][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Aikido for Youth Collaborative” subhead=”AYC is dedicated to building AIKI opportunities for generations to come. Read more about our Mission below:” header_image_url=”http://aikido4youth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/IMG_5360-rotated.jpg” _builder_version=”4.0.9″][/et_pb_fullwidth_header][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″ custom_padding=”||0px|||”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.0.9″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”73.3%” min_height=”550px” custom_margin=”|365px|-112px|auto||” custom_padding=”||7px|||”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”who ” _builder_version=”4.0.9″ min_height=”161px” custom_margin=”||90px|||” custom_padding=”||1px|||” hover_enabled=”0″ inline_fonts=”Verdana”]
Who We Are
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What We Do
We’re preserving and developing the legacy of Aikido for youth for the benefit of current and future generations. We invite you to help make this big effort successful and sustainable!
- Our AYC Webinar series presents outstanding experts in a wide range of topics pertinent to teaching Aikido to youth.
- Our “Roundtable” Zoom calls offer small group learning and personal support by networking together expert instructors.
- For those who prefer one-on-one connection, our Mentoring program helps members find the best personal fit with each other.
- Do you prefer accessing resources at your own convenience? We’re building a “Treasure House” of written and on-line resources in our library.
- AYC works with other similar initiatives and looks forward to supporting “on location” conferences in the future.
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How You can Participate
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Steering Committee
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4th Dan, Wellspring Aikido, Oregon
Upon receiving her 4th degree Black Belt in the spring of 2018, Michelle knew it was time to step up her service in the Aikido community. With the support of Kayla Feder Sensei, she initiated the Aikido for Youth Collaborative (AYC) which she’d dreamed of for many years.
Michelle began her martial arts training after an assault in 1976, which she survived using a single technique she’d just learned. She fell in love with the graceful, non-violent art of Aikido in 1981. Lacking mentors for teaching Aikido to youth, Michelle became a certified instructor trainer with Kidpower.org.
In 2003 together with her husband David she founded Wellspring Aikido. Michelle and David train with Michael Friedl Shihan as members of Aikido of Ashland. In 2005 Michelle wrote and illustrated SHAPE, a hands-on activity guide for Samurai Sprouts, her innovative Aikido program for very young children.
[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.0.9″][et_pb_blurb title=”Aviv Goldsmith” image=”http://aikido4youth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Kids-Camp-2018-Kyu-Certs-in-Group-cropped.jpg” admin_label=”Aviv bio blurb” _builder_version=”4.0.9″ min_height=”493px” custom_margin=”||118px|||” custom_padding=”||0px|||” border_color_all_image=”#000000″]
The Aikido in Fredericksburg is dojo is one of the few buildings outside of Japan designed and built to be an Aikido dojo. It has a supportive and inclusive community and an outstanding uchideshi program where students from around the world come to grow as aikidoists and as individuals.
Aviv Sensei was introduced to Aikido training at the New York Aikikai in the mid 1970s. He became a student of Wolfgang Baumgartner Sensei in Reno, Nevada in 1986. Aviv became Dojo Cho of Reno Aikido Co-Op dojo in 1993 and continued to teach and train there until 2002 when he moved to Virginia at the invitation of the Fredericksburg Aikido Club.
Aviv Sensei is the originator of the Aiki Kodomo Kenshukai series of seminars for instructors of Aikido for youth. Aikido in Fredericksburg is a member of the Takemusu Aikido Association.
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Dojo Cho 6th dan
Aikido of Maine, Portland
Gary began his training as teenager in the early 70’s. He watched the TV show Kung Fu and Bruce Lee movies and was hooked on the message the movement and the implied “magic” in the martial arts, he then convinced his mother to sign him up! He and his wife Ania met on a mat and together they founded the AOM dojo in 2001. He continues to think of himself as both a teacher and a student. Saotome Sensei is his main teacher and inspiration and he considers many others to be valuable teaching influences. AOM is a member of ASU. Aikido Schools of Ueshiba and is open to practice and work with people from all over.
“Having a dojo is an incredible privilege, it is a constant learning experience and a true pleasure to spend my time thinking about our practice and how we can make our dojo a better place. I am very captivated by the power of Aikido in peoples lives and from a training perspective I am most interested in the connection aspect of practice and how we can put O-Sensei’s teachings of creating harmony and improving the world into physical form.”
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Advisors
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- Kayla Feder – Aikido of Berkeley, California
- Charles Colten – Aikido in the Schools, New York
- Linda Reed – Aikido Mountain West, Utah
- Paul Linden – Aikido of Columbus, Ohio
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- Michael Freidl – Aikido of Ashland, Oregon
- Brian Levy – Nola Aikido, Louisiana
- Susan Chandler – Denver Ki Aikido, Colorado
- Melissa Fischer – Tenzan Aikido, Washington
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