News and PublicationsThe El Dorado Community Foundation -
Making a Difference in South Lake Tahoe at Blue Lake Aikido
Operating in a small upstairs room in an obscure center in South Lake Tahoe is Blue Lake Aikido. It may be small, but it houses some pretty powerful stuff; namely, the teaching of a Japanese martial art based on a desire to resolve conflict without violence. Often called the Art of Peace, Aikido’s techniques are based not on power, but on the fluid movement of one’s Ki (energy). Punches and kicks are replaced by movements which redirect violent attacks. Opponents are replaced by partners. Imagine that!
Blue Lake Aikido has been in operation for about eight years in the Tahoe Basin and became a non-profit two years ago. Owners, Mark and Jen Dulyanai are known by their students as Sensei Mark and Sensei Jen, "sensei" being the Japanese word for "teacher." And teach they do, with a passion for individuals and their right to self-respect through self-responsibility. Both Jen and Mark have done training in Japan, but received and continue to receive their most intense training from Matt Fluty of the Aikido Center, Sacramento. They currently have twenty-four children between the ages of 5 and 16 enrolled in classes as well as 18 adult students.
Suzanne Jelitko, Jen and Mark all shared the story of Izsak Bell, Suzanne's son, with humble pride. Izsak was referred to Blue Lake Aikido by a local counselor as he was getting into trouble at school when he responded to bullying with violence. That was four years ago. Izsak is now 14 years of age, has a positive peer group of friends and comes to the center often. As he participates in his peer class, the adult class and takes on a leadership role with younger and newer students, thus passing on the respect that he has learned. Suzanne states that Blue Lake Aikido is a "most positive atmosphere for kids," and that here "everyone is treated with equal respect."
Blue Lake Aikido offers classes on a sliding scale fee basis. They have received funding twice through grants from the El Dorado Community Foundation to provide scholarships for children who they believe can benefit from their program, but do not have the ability to pay. If you know of some worthwhile non-profit programs operating in South Lake Tahoe, or if you are a non-profit organization, please be sure that you are on our mailing list for non-profits and on our list to receive our quarterly electronic newsletter. Find our contact information here, or call us at (530) 622-5621.
Blue Lake Aikido has been in operation for about eight years in the Tahoe Basin and became a non-profit two years ago. Owners, Mark and Jen Dulyanai are known by their students as Sensei Mark and Sensei Jen, "sensei" being the Japanese word for "teacher." And teach they do, with a passion for individuals and their right to self-respect through self-responsibility. Both Jen and Mark have done training in Japan, but received and continue to receive their most intense training from Matt Fluty of the Aikido Center, Sacramento. They currently have twenty-four children between the ages of 5 and 16 enrolled in classes as well as 18 adult students.
Suzanne Jelitko, Jen and Mark all shared the story of Izsak Bell, Suzanne's son, with humble pride. Izsak was referred to Blue Lake Aikido by a local counselor as he was getting into trouble at school when he responded to bullying with violence. That was four years ago. Izsak is now 14 years of age, has a positive peer group of friends and comes to the center often. As he participates in his peer class, the adult class and takes on a leadership role with younger and newer students, thus passing on the respect that he has learned. Suzanne states that Blue Lake Aikido is a "most positive atmosphere for kids," and that here "everyone is treated with equal respect."
Blue Lake Aikido offers classes on a sliding scale fee basis. They have received funding twice through grants from the El Dorado Community Foundation to provide scholarships for children who they believe can benefit from their program, but do not have the ability to pay. If you know of some worthwhile non-profit programs operating in South Lake Tahoe, or if you are a non-profit organization, please be sure that you are on our mailing list for non-profits and on our list to receive our quarterly electronic newsletter. Find our contact information here, or call us at (530) 622-5621.
