Every Monday evening, a group of keiki on the autism spectrum steps onto our mats to learn judo. We are looking for volunteers to be right there beside them.
Adaptive Judo meets Mondays from 5:00 to 6:00 PM at our dojo on Waipa Lane.
You do not need any judo experience. You do not need to be athletic. What you need is patience, warmth, and a willingness to show up.
WHAT YOU'LL ACTUALLY DO
Warm up alongside a student — stretches, rolls, and simple movement drills.
Help a student follow along when sensei introduces a new technique, breaking it into smaller steps when they need it.
Be a steady, encouraging presence: celebrate the small wins, give space when a student needs a break.
Help set out and put away mats and equipment.
You will always be working under the direction of our senseis. You are never expected to teach judo on your own. Your job is to help one child stay engaged, feel safe, and have fun.
WHO YOU'LL BE WORKING WITH
Our Adaptive Judo class is built for children on the autism spectrum. It is deliberately paced so students can join at any time, move at their own speed, and take breaks whenever they need one, without ever worrying about being left behind. We are not a therapy clinic, and we are not training competitors. This is a place where kids get to learn a sport, stay active, and make friends.
Some students take to it immediately. Others need weeks before they are comfortable stepping onto the mat. Both are exactly what success looks like here.
WHAT WE PROVIDE
Training. We will teach you everything you need to know, including basic ukemi (safe falling) so you can move confidently on the mat.
A judo gi (uniform), if you need one.
USJF insurance coverage while you are on the mat with us.
An orientation before your first session with students.
WHAT WE ASK
Consistency matters more than experience. Our students do best with familiar faces, so we are looking for volunteers who can show up regularly rather than help once.
WHY IT MATTERS
Judo is not about hurting anyone. It is an art of self-defense that teaches discipline, responsibility, teamwork, and perseverance. For our students, the mat is often the first place a sport has ever felt genuinely welcoming. Being the person who helps a kid land their first roll — or who simply stays patient while they work up to trying — is the whole thing.
Open to volunteers 16 and older. High school students are welcome and encouraged.
No judo or martial arts experience necessary. We provide all training, including safe falling (ukemi).
Comfortable working with children, including children with disabilities.
Able to kneel, sit on the floor, and move around a mat for about an hour.
Willing to commit to a regular weekly schedule. Our students do best with familiar faces.
Bare feet on the mat, no shoes. A judo gi is provided if you do not have one.
Please arrive 10 minutes early for your first session so we can walk you through the space and introduce you to the senseis.
No waivers available.
620 Waipa Ln, Honolulu, HI 96817, USA
Anton Starodub
+1 707 481 7076
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