Here's a reality of life when it comes to exercise; "If it’s boring, you won't do it. Period!" Most people know they should exercise more, but most people simply don't. This not necessarily because they don't want to be in better shape, but because so many popular kinds of exercises and fitness routines are utterly boring! If you're bored of endlessly walking on treadmills or elliptical trainers at the gym while watching overly-violent news broadcasts; or if you've tried yoga and Pilates but find them painfully slow, then I have a suggestion for you. Come try Aikido!
Aikido, pronounced 'eye'-'key'-'doh', is a unique Japanese exercise that engages your entire body in a really fun and entertaining way. Aikido is a martial art, but can be practiced at any level of intensity according to the needs or physical capabilities of the student. Unlike most martial arts, there are no punches or kicks in Aikido so injury is extremely rare. You learn to move their body effectively and efficiently by employing almost dance-like moves that first evade and then off balance your partner (who is pretending to be an attacker) without injuring him or her.
People of all ages practice Aikido, but it is particularly beneficial for adults. In fact, you're never too old to start practicing Aikido. Several of our instructors' teachers in Japan continue to train in their 70s and 80s! Many former martial arts student once again take up Aikido as they enter their 40s and 50s because Aikido is much easier on your body than other more well-known martial arts like Karate and Taekwondo. Most of all, Aikido is fun! Every class is different, so you don't get bored. Every technique requires your complete and undivided attention, so you can't "zone out." One of the most common things we hear is, "Wow! The time just flew by. I can't believe it is over so quickly!" Also, Aikido can be a great cardiovascular workout for the body… but there is a good chance that you won't even notice that until you are done with class! Instead of feeling exhausted after a class, most people feel exhilarated. One of our students, Doug, a 55 year-old Castle Rock resident, has lost 35 pounds since April when he first started practicing Aikido!
Many people have more energy, not less, after Aikido class. The reason why is because when you practice less fun forms of exercise, that don't simultaneously engage your brain, time seems to move much… much… slower. However, Aikido requires you to focus constantly on what you are doing so much that time flies by! Aikido is so engaging to your body and to your mind, that there is a synergistic energy created between the two that absolutely reinvigorates you. Somewhat paradoxically, you are also left in relaxed, tranquil state when you're done.
Classes are held weekday evenings in Castle Rock to accommodate working adults. If you don't live in Castle Rock, hey, no problem! About half of our students come from outside Castle Rock. Some drive from as far north as Westminster and as far south as Colorado Springs to come practice Aikido with us. Our instructors and programs are so good that people are willing to travel, if necessary. It's just that much fun!
Come discover how Aikido can serve as a catalyst for getting you moving and in to shape without boring you to death. We invite you to come try a class in Castle Rock for free. Visit us at http://www.craikido.com/ or call us at 720-221-3665.
Showing posts with label Denver Aikido. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Denver Aikido. Show all posts
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Castle Rock Colorado Residents Over 50 Taking Up Martial Arts
There's something strange going on in Castle Rock. Residents over fifty years old are beginning to practice a Japanese martial art called Aikido (pronounced 'eye-key-doh').
Aikido isn't exclusively for men and women over fifty, but Aikido does seem to have an affinity for that age group. "I think it is because Aikido is a great form of exercise and a powerful form of self-defense, but still allows you to go to work on each morning without being covered in bruises and broken bones," says an instructor.
Castle Rock AIKIDO & IAIDO don't seem surprised that their Aikido program is attracting people over fifty. "We have a tendency to attract more a intellectual, mature and introspective student, which may come with age, I suppose" he continued. "Our students really are here to become better people. It makes it a pleasure to teach them and we learn so much from them, as well." According to the instructors, there are no young, "hot-heads" with a chip on their shoulder in the program. "When those kind of people do show up, they tend not to stay," said another teacher. "Our program attracts people that are interested in having fun and growing personally, not people who are interested in learning how to hurt others."
Working adults tend to get forget that it is important for them to play, too. It's important for their health, their fitness, their mental state and even their social life. Aikido is a great opportunity to cover all of these needs. "Kids already have so many different activities to choose from. Our adult program is specifically targeted to adults - no exceptions. We have a separate program for teenagers 13-17, but the adult program is exclusively 18 and over. Our focus is on providing adults with a fun, friendly, and physical environment to de-stress and grow as people."
Castle Rock AIKIDO & IAIDO also tailors to adults by holding weekday classes in the evenings. Classes don't start until 8 p.m. This allows adults to come home from work, eat something, spend time with children, and then go practice Aikido for an hour or so. "This approach has been very successful for us. We seem to be fulfilling a real need in many Castle Rock households," expressed school owner, Sean Hannon.
When most adults think of a martial arts school, they often think of children's classes, colorful belts, and pre-arranged fighting forms performed against imaginary opponents. Walk into many martial art schools and you'll hear loud shouts, screams, and grunts and if you look at the faces of many students you'll see a lot of brooding and grimacing. This Aikido program in Castle Rock is different. The predominant sound in class isn't shouting, but laughter. And, if you look around the room you see nothing but wide, bright smiles. "Aikido has a tendency to produce extreme happiness in people."
While many martial arts have an age-related shelf life (like many professional sports do), Aikido is a life long practice. Aikido doesn't adversely discriminate with age. While much more dynamic than yoga, Aikido is similar to yoga in that you tend to get better, not worse, as you get older. "One of our teachers back in Japan is over 80 years old and still practices Aikido daily," says one instructor. Furthermore, like yoga, Aikido contributes to health and longevity by helping to keep the body limber.
Aikido strongly promotes and emphasizes body awareness. It is a way of physically reconnecting with yourself. By practicing Aikido, you learn to recognize just how much people have lost touch with their bodies, their senses, and for some people, their spirit. Aikido truly reawakens a spark of life long forgotten by many working adults. And, it does this without causing pain or injury.
Student Gary S., 56, shared that "As I get older, I think about how I might maintain my balance, agility and coordination. As a health care professional I see many older people who have fallen and broken bones, in particular their hips. This happens, in part, because of a diminished sense of balance, a loss of agility. Aikido, through its repeated practice of centered movements, can help prevent such injuries by helping to maintain agility and a strong sense of balance."
Paul P., 51, another health care professional at Parker Adventist Hospital, is attracted to Aikido because of it's non-competitive nature and relaxed atmosphere while still providing a good workout and good means of self-defense. "We accomplish an awful lot in a hour long class" says Paul. The low risk of injury played a significant role in his decision to practice Aikido, too. "Because of my profession, I need to be able to go to work the next day without injury. Aikido let's me do just that. Plus, I feel refreshed and revitalized after each class."
Doug S., 55, has studied other martial arts in the past, however he prefers Aikido because of its more natural, flowing blend of form and function. "It's powerful, but graceful at the same time," says Doug. "And, it's really great for stress relief. When I'm grumpy after a long day at work, Aikido is a great way to focus on something non-work related for a while."
Castle Rock AIKIDO & IAIDO located inside Village Fitness at 880 West Happy Canyon Road in Castle Rock. You are welcome to come watch or try a class for free anytime. You can visit their website http://www.craikido.com/. You can also reach them by calling 720-221-3665.
Aikido isn't exclusively for men and women over fifty, but Aikido does seem to have an affinity for that age group. "I think it is because Aikido is a great form of exercise and a powerful form of self-defense, but still allows you to go to work on each morning without being covered in bruises and broken bones," says an instructor.
Castle Rock AIKIDO & IAIDO don't seem surprised that their Aikido program is attracting people over fifty. "We have a tendency to attract more a intellectual, mature and introspective student, which may come with age, I suppose" he continued. "Our students really are here to become better people. It makes it a pleasure to teach them and we learn so much from them, as well." According to the instructors, there are no young, "hot-heads" with a chip on their shoulder in the program. "When those kind of people do show up, they tend not to stay," said another teacher. "Our program attracts people that are interested in having fun and growing personally, not people who are interested in learning how to hurt others."
Working adults tend to get forget that it is important for them to play, too. It's important for their health, their fitness, their mental state and even their social life. Aikido is a great opportunity to cover all of these needs. "Kids already have so many different activities to choose from. Our adult program is specifically targeted to adults - no exceptions. We have a separate program for teenagers 13-17, but the adult program is exclusively 18 and over. Our focus is on providing adults with a fun, friendly, and physical environment to de-stress and grow as people."
Castle Rock AIKIDO & IAIDO also tailors to adults by holding weekday classes in the evenings. Classes don't start until 8 p.m. This allows adults to come home from work, eat something, spend time with children, and then go practice Aikido for an hour or so. "This approach has been very successful for us. We seem to be fulfilling a real need in many Castle Rock households," expressed school owner, Sean Hannon.
When most adults think of a martial arts school, they often think of children's classes, colorful belts, and pre-arranged fighting forms performed against imaginary opponents. Walk into many martial art schools and you'll hear loud shouts, screams, and grunts and if you look at the faces of many students you'll see a lot of brooding and grimacing. This Aikido program in Castle Rock is different. The predominant sound in class isn't shouting, but laughter. And, if you look around the room you see nothing but wide, bright smiles. "Aikido has a tendency to produce extreme happiness in people."
While many martial arts have an age-related shelf life (like many professional sports do), Aikido is a life long practice. Aikido doesn't adversely discriminate with age. While much more dynamic than yoga, Aikido is similar to yoga in that you tend to get better, not worse, as you get older. "One of our teachers back in Japan is over 80 years old and still practices Aikido daily," says one instructor. Furthermore, like yoga, Aikido contributes to health and longevity by helping to keep the body limber.
Aikido strongly promotes and emphasizes body awareness. It is a way of physically reconnecting with yourself. By practicing Aikido, you learn to recognize just how much people have lost touch with their bodies, their senses, and for some people, their spirit. Aikido truly reawakens a spark of life long forgotten by many working adults. And, it does this without causing pain or injury.
Student Gary S., 56, shared that "As I get older, I think about how I might maintain my balance, agility and coordination. As a health care professional I see many older people who have fallen and broken bones, in particular their hips. This happens, in part, because of a diminished sense of balance, a loss of agility. Aikido, through its repeated practice of centered movements, can help prevent such injuries by helping to maintain agility and a strong sense of balance."
Paul P., 51, another health care professional at Parker Adventist Hospital, is attracted to Aikido because of it's non-competitive nature and relaxed atmosphere while still providing a good workout and good means of self-defense. "We accomplish an awful lot in a hour long class" says Paul. The low risk of injury played a significant role in his decision to practice Aikido, too. "Because of my profession, I need to be able to go to work the next day without injury. Aikido let's me do just that. Plus, I feel refreshed and revitalized after each class."
Doug S., 55, has studied other martial arts in the past, however he prefers Aikido because of its more natural, flowing blend of form and function. "It's powerful, but graceful at the same time," says Doug. "And, it's really great for stress relief. When I'm grumpy after a long day at work, Aikido is a great way to focus on something non-work related for a while."
Castle Rock AIKIDO & IAIDO located inside Village Fitness at 880 West Happy Canyon Road in Castle Rock. You are welcome to come watch or try a class for free anytime. You can visit their website http://www.craikido.com/. You can also reach them by calling 720-221-3665.
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