Aikido teaches that true victory is victory over the self, a principal that’s important to remember when debating whether to end a staring contest with a lion. Get in touch with your inner champion with today's Groupon to Zenshinkan Dojo. Choose between the following options:

• For $35, you get a six-week Intro to Aikido course for ages 13 and older (a $100 value). The course takes place during six consecutive weeks.
• For $45, you get a one-month unlimited youth aikido membership for ages 4–12 (a $70 first-month value) with a uniform (a $40 value; a $110 total value).

The experienced instructors at Zenshinkan Dojo lead pupils in the principles of aikido, a martial-art form that emphasizes nonviolent responses to conflict and encourages students to exceed personal limitations through cooperation rather than competition. During the six-week Intro to Aikido course, adults will build a solid foundation of basic movements while working to master fundamental skills and techniques, such as falling to the side, which comes in handy when avoiding oncoming strikes or renegade boomerangs. Students can choose to attend one of two classes offered each week, on Wednesdays from 7:30 a.m. to 8:20 a.m. or Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:20 p.m. Upcoming sessions begin on September 7 and 8 and November 2 and 3.

With a one-month unlimited youth membership, pintsize budokais can don an included uniform before attending as many classes as they like in their specific age group. The Tot's Aikido classes build confidence in 4–6-year-olds while sharpening focus and developing interpersonal skills. Kids ages 7–12 partner up in Children's Aikido classes to practice fundamental self-defense techniques and to learn peaceful conflict-resolution strategies, which can be useful at home, school, or at UN-themed birthday parties.