Aikido at the ELCA Youth Gathering:
Dancing at the Cross Roads 2000
By the Rev. Jayne M. Thompson

"Hey...this is cool!"

That exclamation was a common refrain as youth and adults took part in mini-Aikido classes at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) youth gathering in St. Louis. Every three years, the ELCA holds a gathering for high school youth. This time there were two sessions, June 28 - July 2 and July 5 - 9. It was held in downtown St. Louis with teens and adults counselors housed at downtown, airport and west St. Louis hotels. The total participation with both weeks accounted for was around 40,000 young people.

Aikido was part of the Youth Gathering in Atlanta, 1994. Though it wasn't included in the 1997 gathering in New Orleans, it seemed to be a great idea to follow up on the success of the Atlanta event and have Aikido in St. Louis. Since the ELCA passed a resolution in 1999 committing its members to the United Nations "Decade for a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for the Children of the World" and 2000 as a "Year of Education for Nonviolence," there was even further justification to offer Aikido in St. Louis.

The Rev. Victoria Brundage and I, both ELCA pastors, and Jack Hayes, my spouse who is also Lutheran, (all nidan) did the ground work to have Aikido included in the large interaction center called "The Beat." The Beat, open from 12 noon until at least 5:00 every afternoon, offered a smorgasbord of activities for the teens and counselors. The Aikido 15' x 15' mat was located near to the very popular "Rock Climbing Wall," the "Zip-lines" and other adventure activities.

Patterned after the Atlanta Aikido experience, for three days each week from 2 - 5 p.m. we alternated 1/2 hour demonstrations with 1/2 hour classes. The first week Hayes Sensei and I, along with local Aikidoka and adults from the gathering, lead class.

The second week we were fortunate to have my Sensei, Peter Bernath, Rokudan and Shidoin from Florida Aikikai lead the workshops. Sensei Bernath has had a very successful children's program in Fort Lauderdale for many years. His dynamic technique and relaxed, humorous attitude was a great hit with the children. Victoria Brundage (Milwaukee Aikido Club), Dan Hayes (KSU Aikikai) and Mikel Stous ((Blue Springs Aikikai) also joined us for the second session.

As we anticipated, the response was remarkable and enthusiastic. The young people were thrilled and fascinated by this "non-fighting" art that was so powerful, yet so gentle. What was different this time in St. Louis after six years had passed since the Atlanta gathering, was the fact that there were many more adults from other martial arts and Aikido styles present. They were so grateful that Aikido was part of the gathering. Many of them trained with us and assisted the young people. The classes focused on very basic Aikido movements.

Over the course of the two sessions, we taught hundreds of people from states all across the country and a few international students. Our informal conversations with young people off the mat ranged from chat about where they could train in their home towns or colleges they were attending to deeper discussions about violence they were facing at school or, sadly, in their homes. We also had conversations with adult church leaders about how they could do work with teens to promote nonviolence in their area of the country.

In my opinion, as an Aikido instructor and as a someone who has worked with young people for twenty five years, it is imperative that the Aikido communities become more intentional about connecting with teenagers. Given the violence they have to face, they are among the most vulnerable and most easily influenced by violent forces in our society.

Wherever possible, we need to go to the places where the teenagers are and not merely wait for them to darken the doorways of the dojo. I know of several instructors who are doing just that: going to junior and senior high schools to offer Aikido classes as the administration will allow. I understand that there are instructors who are taking Aikido to teens in detention centers. When I learn of these programs, I am inspired.

As we who train know, Aikido has a unique and highly ethical message and practice to offer people of all walks of life, in a variety of faith communities. This is one way we "Lutheran-types" have tried to bring Aikido to teens. We'd love to hear about more events and activities that other dojo and instructors are offering for young people.

The next ELCA youth gathering will be back in Atlanta in 2003. I hope that Aikido will be included once more and I hope that local Aikidoka will join us again!