November 7, 2009 | Vancouver Island Shia (under age 14)
Location: Oliver Woods Comm Centre, 6000 Oliver Road, Nanaimo
Schedule yet to be finalized
Tournament Director: Yves Legal 250-756-4869
Welcome to the official website of the Vancouver Island Judo Academy. We are a traditional Judo school, a non-profit organization run completely by volunteers, serving the Mid-V.I. region with students from Campbell River to Mill Bay
What has judo done for our children and our family?
My two daughters are at pre-teen and early-teen stages in life where growing and hormones and school-life tugs at them and causes types of pressure that we adults often discount as not important or comparable to our concerns.
Their peers and school buddies are friends BUT, as when I was a child, often that type of friendship comes with greatly destabilizing thoughts and actions of others. Children question their roles and their importance, compared to others and, just about every waking minute they are bombarded with aggressive and negative opinions, language and actions in person, on radio and TV, etc.
As when I was a child, growing up is both fun and stressful.
Our involvement in Judo (Ju-Do, translates 'gentle way') has brought something quite unexpected and special to our family.
These two girls (Judo students are called Judoka) get to have FUN and make friends (at 'their' clubhouse, called a 'dojo') at the same time that they are learning about their bodies' balance and strength under careful supervision and training based on respect, for self and others, and discipline.
Judo is a martial art that uses body 'balance' more than strength, so, even the smallest and weakest can enjoy learning this sport/activity for life.
Yes, in a world filled with aggression, learning judo does result in developing a healthy form of self-defense. But, there is so much more that comes from involvement in this globally recognized discipline. For example, simply by association, Judoka become members of an international family and are warmly welcomed at dojo all over the world. Judo is a very social activity.
I've found no other sport/activity that combines...
Teaching - dedicated black belt volunteers, with decades of experience, that simply love their activity and children. Their senior students grow to replace them over time.
Training - that is both within a team and yet focused on individual growth and improvement, body, mind and a respectful spirit. This training has FUN activities too.
Support - from all participating members of the club, their parents and grandparents.
Fun - learning Judo is FUN. As well, we enjoy events, picnics, etc. and all family members are always welcome.
Low-Cost - either individual or family/corporate rates, within a not-for-profit organization. All family members (ages 7-77) are welcome to workout, learn and have FUN.
Competition - optionally, students may travel (with their families or peers) on VI or, to the mainland and across BC/Washington State, at the most basic levels of training. The events are low in cost and camaraderie is high.
My girls started at different times during 2004. They have expanded their lives and friendships significantly. They have developed a tremendous level of strength, self-confidence, physical and mental balance. They both learn and teach through a process of sharing this very physical art with the other members of their club and members of other regional clubs.
Through the tried and tested formula of Judo over time, they get to grow 'at their own rate' but within an emotionally supportive environment... this can be a very different experience than the stresses of many other 'team sports', where young people look for 'something to belong to' but, having to deal with overly competitive peers and parents, find it's not much fun.
Our young ladies ride horses, play school basketball/volleyball, trampoline. Since 2004, mostly due to Judo training they do these things so much better. Their physical balance and focus on learning (at school as well) has improved exponentially. Yes, some of that is natural growth but, this is simply evidence to us that good and important things are happening directly as a result of our involvement in Judo.
I look forward to enjoying our whole family's participation (and growth by association) within Judo and, with child-like anticipation, to the continuing development of two young ladies that I'm proud to call my daughters, Georgia and Erin.
Paul (and Allison) Elderfield - Nanaimo, BC
At the beautiful OLIVER WOODS RECREATION CENTER
behind Nanaimo North (Rutherford Mall) Town Center.
FALL 2009 class registration starts September 9th to Sept-end only.
Mondays and Wednesdays: 6:45 - 8pm beginners, 8:00 - 9:30 advanced
