VIDEO: People's Prep Students Mastering Art of Ki-Aikido
Club teaches self-defense, relaxation through Japanese martial art
Off the hardscrabble streets of Newark, freshmen at People's Preparatory Charter School are finessing their self-defense skills through the Japanese martial art of aikido. Twice a week, members of the Bergen Street school's Ki-Aikido Club don gis, or uniforms, and hit their brand new dojo for training in the martial art that's centered on non-dissension. The 10 students, part of the club's lead team, are learning how to extend their ki, a loosely defined concept related to the unification of the mind and body. "It's much more about peace, non-violence and defense than it is about fighting or attacking," said People's Prep English teacher Nathan Patton, one of three instructors of the club. People's Prep got a special visit Tuesday from Dr…
Rich Fryling
10:26 pm on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Thank you for running this story. I can only hope it resonates with all your readers and is passed on with a belief that there are solutions for these talented kids. more ›