BY MUTSUKO MINEGISHI
CHIEF INSTRUCTOR, GUAM AIKIKA
6th degree black belt, Hombu Dojo Big adults and small children face each other
and say," Onegaishimasu, (Please practice with me)"with a formal Japanese
bow on the knees. Immediately afterwards, by saying or raising their hands, "Let
me do the first technique." , "Next will be my turn. ", children
fight for the chance to do a demonstration of the technique. Three-year-old children
bow to 6th and 5th degree black belt male visitors without any hesitation.
Children, a half size of the partners, bring them down or throw them to the floor.
This was how the practice went for the youngest children's class of Saipan Aikikai
with the 10 visitors from Takatsuki City Aikido Federation in Japan. The visitors
were all surprised and amazed by the brave attitude and the quality techniques
of the children. 
At the beginning when children are first brought in the dojo,
many of them under 3 or 4 years old hide away behind the parents, and they start
crying or rush back to the safe arms of the parents as soon as they are separated
from them to join the class. Some can emerge immediately to the group, but many
take even from a few weeks to a few months before they feel comfortable to be
among their peers. Slowly but surely, they learn how to become a part of the group
and make friends with each other.
The first exposure to a new society outside their family
is a very nervous moment. Children's growth is amazing, however. From the time
when they do not even speak intelligibly, they already show their unique personalities
and express themselves very well. We always hear that a personality is established
by the age three. By watching them in class, I'm convinced that children should
be exposed to some physical and mental training as soon as they start walking.
After kindergarten or school, Aikido children rush to the dojo. The first arrival
is supposed to be the leader for the day. However, if he/ she is late for class,
he/she looses the leader's position. Somehow, many children want to become leaders,
and they become serious about promotions. They all know that color belts are not
given but they have to earn them by attending classes regularly and by
demonstrating the required techniques in front of all the students. "Mokusoo",
"Mokusoo yame", "Rei", and "Onegaishimasu.". Children
must learn important words in Japanese as well as the names of all the techniques
to be promoted and to become leaders.
Aikido is definitely helpful to discipline children. At the
entrance to the room, they bow and say hello. They change to the uniform, take
off their shoes and line them up off the mats facing their toes out. They rinse
a towel and wipe their feet. They step on the mats and sit down facing the picture
of the founder and bow in on their knees. From the moment to come in to the vastly
matted floor, their minds are freed and excited to run around the open space.
They are just like fish released into fresh water, and they play together joyfully
until the formal class begins. They can make noise or wrestle or do anything as
long as they do not hurt each other intentionally. If something happens, they
learn how to apologize to each other. "Line up" is the sign for them
to stop playing, and they sit down in order quietly to prepare for practice.
Introverted children begin opening themselves. Mischievous ones learn how to make
friends. Selfish ones learn very soon that they do not make friends unless they
change their behavior. Once in a while we play with sumo wrestling for competition.
Competitive children cry if they loose, and they don't seem to like competitions.
As soon as they go back to Aikido which does not do any competitions, their smiles
come back.
I treat small children exactly the same way as youth and adults. I never change
the tone of voice or the language.
The same techniques are practiced and the testing requirements are also the same
as others. Children are capable of learning as well as adults. At times, children
show much faster improvement because they do not fear or egotistical minds in
addition to their flexible bodies. They are so close to the ground that they roll
back and forth just like balls. When they see adults doing the same techniques,
they are so proud of themselves because they can also do the same.
The children's growth is very fast. Some grow gradually,
but some all of a sudden wake up and join in the crowd. Some parents get angry,
frustrated or
embarrassed to see that their own children are crying or playing, but it is a
natural procedure for any children when they are first exposed to a new environment.
We instructors try to do every possible way to reach out for such children with
our at most patience. Since there is no competition in Aikido, children can concentrate
on mastering techniques on their own speed and capability. Every one is the winner
in Aikido.
A five-year-old child will grow into a 15-year-old youth.
If Saipan has many youth with healthy mental and physical conditions, there will
be many, many happy families and schools. I will continue to play and train with
the children from the time they no longer wear diapers.
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- e-mail: minegishi@saipan.com
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