Having your child participate in the martial art can be a one of the best decisions in their development. Enrollment in a quality school with spirited instructors will improve not only their quality of life, but also give them a sense of internal peace and strong self confidence.

Discerning parents are naturally wary of encouraging their child to gain knowledge in the combative arts, and with good reason. Many, many schools calling themselves instructors of the martial arts employ a system based on conquering and controlling aggression though aggressive actions. Unfortunately, this approach substitutes the ultimate goal of martial arts, obtaining peace with ourselves and others, with a simpler, cruder approach of simply the physical aspects of combat. This approach often casually mentions peace as a goal, but rarely offers genuine roads to get there.

Enter Aikido. Aikido (aye-key doe) is a relatively new martial art from Japan, but traces its roots back hundreds, and hundreds of years. There are a few ways to translate Aikido to English. The most direct translation is, "The Way of Being in Harmony with Energy." Another more romantic translation is, "The Art of Peace." Perhaps the most important aspect to Aikido and certainly an important one for children is the fact that there are no attacks in Aikido. Let me repeat that; in the martial art of Aikido there are no attacks.

How can a martial art have no attacks? It sounds contradictory to the term. The truth is though that Aikido is one of the few, if not the only major martial art that has absolutely no attacks. Why are there no attacks? A better question is; "Why would there be?" An attack is proof that you are out of control and why would you want your child to be out of control?

When you teach your child to punch or kick what have they learned to do? What will they do if they feel stressed or pressure? They will naturally do what they have been taught. The truth is, you don't want your child kicking and punching their way out of a problem, or though life.

What does Aikido teach then? Well, Aikido teaches beginners first how to avoid hurting themselves. Particularly appealing to children, Aikido instruction begins with breakfalling and learning to roll. Both of which are essentially tumbling correctly; learning to fall without getting hurt. Aikido is about minimizing damage to both you and attackers. If your child decides to quit after learning how to fall without getting hurt, they

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