Verbal Aikido for Youth - Manage Verbal Attacks Peacefully and Effectively

Verbal Aikido is a means of communication that enables the practitioner to transform verbal attacks, both effectively and peacefully. This philosophy comes from the Japanese martial art of Aikido that seeks to transform ‘attackers’ into training partners. It’s a fun and easy-to-learn approach that can be learned from ages as young as 5 years old. Regular practice of Verbal Aikido considerably increases self-esteem, altruism, and the confidence to manage conflict in a self-affirming and harmonious manner.

Luke Archer is an Irish-born teacher trainer, writer and public speaker on communication, conflict management, and education development. He’s been living in Lyon, France since 1995, where he has innovated and pioneered Verbal Aikido training since 2009. He continues to work with companies, schools and students of all ages internationally spreading this way of peaceful communication to one boardroom or classroom at a time.

Stephen Kotev is a Washington D.C. based conflict resolution consultant offering mediation, negotiation and facilitation services, conflict coaching, training and somatic education to private and government clients. Helping people resolve problems and improve their performance is his passion and profession. He has dedicated his professional career to the practice and study of conflict resolution. Stephen is one of only two individuals to have been employed by both of the nation’s two largest Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) membership organizations – the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution and the Association for Conflict Resolution.