Julia Levin, 9 years old and a resident of Englewood, is one of the youngest students in the country to be awarded her Fifth Kyu rank in the martial art of Aikido, according to her teacher Jerry Zimmerman, head of Aikido North Jersey on Degraw Avenue in Teaneck.  The Fifth Kyu test is the first test given in the Adult Program and it is a great accomplishment for such a young student to take this test - and she passed with flying colors!

Zimmerman said that Julia is an exceptional student and at 9 years old she was ready to take the test.

Julia is a third grader at Elizabeth Morrow School in Englewood, where she studies violin in addition to a regular third grade program.  She has been studying Aikido at Aikido North Jersey for the past 3 years.  Before studying Aikido she had studied Karate .
 
Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed in the early 20th century by Morihei Ueshiba.  It is a non-violent and very effective self-defense system of martial arts.  The basic principle of Aikido is to blend with the force of an attacker rather than fight force with force.  Aikido uses no punches and kicks but, instead, the attacker's force is redirected into throws, locks and restraining techniques. Size, weight, age and physical strength are not important as the Aikido practitioner learns to redirect the attacker's energy, keeping him in a constant state of unbalance.

According to Zimmerman, Aikido training results in building personal skills and traits that lead to a more successful life at every level.  At Aikido North Jersey, classes are offered for all ages, beginning at the age of 4.