Martial Arts: The Kids of Aikido Kenkyukai - Jamie

Q: Why do you do Aikido

Jamie: “It’s good. I get sweaty. And I make new friends.”

• Jamie, 6
• Student
• AKI Los Angeles

Jamie, who began Aikido at age 5, has been training at Aikido Kenkyukai for a year and a half. She heard about Aikido through her friend Nicholas and her mom wanted her to try it so she would get some exercise.

At her first class, Jamie admits, “I was nervous because it was my first day.” A year and a half later, not only has Jamie successfully integrated, but she was recently awarded her 3rd kyu blue stripe!

When we asked her why she started Aikido, Jamie replied without hesitation, “‘Cause I love it.” and looked at us as if we were crazy to even need to ask such a question. Jamie says she continues training Aikido because, “It’s good. I get sweaty. And I make new friends.”

Apart from training, Jamie spends her days going to school, doing homework, watching TV, and playing with her toys.

When asked what her life would be like with no Aikido, Jamie replied, “It would be very sad because I like to run!”