Become an Official VA Facilitator
Have you got what it takes to share the practice?
Develop your self-management skills
Verbal Aikido is more than just an art of know-how, it’s a path to developping your self-management skills or “Presence“. The ability to share or teach any skill requires a high degree of mastery. To ensure an adequate level of proficiency, Practitioners are required to have at least 18 months of active practice before signing up for Official VA Facilitator training.
Get trained up to share Verbal Aikido
VA Academy is the only institute authorized to dispense Verbal Aikido® certification. Discover the 6 practical training programs and sign up to get your name on the next Official Verbal Aikido® Practitioner or Facilitator course.
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The Verbal Aikido Academy
Become an Official VA Facilitator… have you got what it takes?
Verbal Aikido is not just an art of know-how, it’s a path to developping your self-management skills or “savoir-être“. Indeed, being able to share or teach a skill requires having a certain degree of mastery. That’s why, before even beginning to think about becoming an Official VA Facilitator, you need at least 18 months active VA practice under your belt.
Speaking of belts… just as in many martial arts, there are several levels of tested comptences in Verbal Aikido. Click on the levels below to find out what each entails…
Level 1.0 “White Bracelet”
Designed for children, this level is a basic initiation to simple techniques with emphasis put on self-protection and the ability to listen neutrally.
Level 1.1 “Novice Practitionner”
Novice Practitioners demonstrate their ability to use Enhanced Listening, and are required to show a variety of techniques in a rapid-fire verbal-attack simulation. They must be able to demonstrate their understanding of the 3-Steps using a real-life experience.
Level 1.2 “Advanced Practitionner”
Advanced Practitioners are self-sufficient in terms of centering and are able to vary techniques and at least 3 sequenced combinations (“kata“). They must be able to demonstrate their ability to de-escalate conflict when faced with a prolonged personal attack.
Level 1.3 “Autonomous Practitionner”
Autonomous Practitioners have accomplished a level of autonomy through practice “outside the dojo”. They have a mastery of many kata (sequences) and are able to maintain VA centered posture and de-escalate when faced with at least three personal attacks.
Level 2.1 “Official VA Presenter”
VA Presenters need to have at least 9 months experience in the dojo and/or level 1.2. They are able to present VA both briefly and in-depth. They can manage objections and attacks on their presentation maintaining VA posture.
Level 2.2 “Official VA Practice-group Coordinator
VA Practice-group Coordinators must have experience in accompanying and at least 18 months at the VA dojo. They are able to lead, facilitate & give feedback on:
• Multiple centering activities
• Verbal Stretching® styles & dynamics
• VA Sparring
Level 2.3 “Official VA Facilitator”
Accredited VA Facilitators are capable of conducting a quality VA workshop or VA dojo. Through regular practice they have acquired a certain level of internal & real-time attack mastery. Before completion, they must elaborate and defend their Personal Style Thesis.
Get trained up in VERBAL AIKIDO®!
VA Academy is the only institute authorized to dispense Verbal Aikido® certification.
Scroll down for the 6 practical training courses to become an Official Verbal Aikido® Facilitator
Cycle 1 (45 hours) to become an “Autonomous VA Practitioner”
► Online training (contact us for on-site availability)
| https://www.verbalaikido.org/online-classes/Level / Certification | Skills | Prerequisite | Duration | Personal Work | Price per person (excl. VAT) | Online Dates 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Novice Practitioner Level 1.1 Certificate | • Capacity to create a safe distance when dealing with verbal attacks • Capacity to implement an adpated posture and accompanying techniques • Understanding of Ai-ki and the dynamic of the Three Steps | – | 4 x ½ days (12hrs) | – | 480 € (≈$500) | Contact us |
| Advanced Practitioner Level 1.2 Certificate | • Application of personal centering in practice • Capacity to vary techniques in practice • Capacity to maintain posture in a prolonged personal attack | Level 1.1 or 6 months experience at the VA Dojo | 5 x ½ days (15hrs) | – | 600 € (≈$630) | 27/04, 11/05, 01/06, 08/06, 22/06 2:30-5:30pm GMT |
| Autonmous Practitioner Level 1.3 Certificate | • Autonomy in practice • Capacity to maintain posture with 3 successive personal attacks • Mastery of techniques & sequences | Level 1.2 | 6 x ½ days (18hrs) | 1 text to read 1 written work | 720 € (≈$750) | Contact us |
| TOTAL | 16 x ½ days (48hrs) | 1800 € (excl. VAT) |
Inscriptions will be opening soon, thank you for your patience.
Cycle 2 (45 hours over ≈ 1 year) to become “Become an Official VA Facilitator”
► Online training, significant personal time investment required
| Level / Certification | Skills | Prerequisite | Duration | Personal Work | Price per person (excl. VAT) | Dates (online) 2023-24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official VA Presenter Level 2.1 Certificate | • Present VA practice in 3 sentences, in 5 minutes & a 1.5 introductory session • Maintain VA posture throughout presentation • Inviting/managing simple attacks | Level 1.2 or 9 months @ VA Dojo (subject to validation) | 2 x 3hr sessions (6hrs) | ≈ 3 hrs | 200 € (≈$240) | June 29 | July 07 2:30-5:30pm GMT |
| Official VA Practice Group Coordinator (Level 2.2) Certificate | Lead, accompany & give feedback on: • Multiple centering activities • Verbal Stretching®styles/dynamics • VA Sparring | Level 2.1 + 18 months @ VA Dojo (subject to validation) | 5 x ½ days (15hrs) | ≈ 9 hrs | 500 € (≈$600) | Aug 24, 31 | Sept 14, 28 | Oct 26 2:30-5:30pm GMT |
| Official VA Facilitator* (Level 2.3) Certificate | • Group, internal & real-time attacks • Thesis (personal style) defense • Facilitate a VA Dojo or 1.1 workshop | Level 2.2 | 5 x ½ days (15hrs) | ≈ 24 hrs | 500 € (≈$600) | Jan 11, 18 (2024) | Feb 15 | May 02 | June 13 2:30-5:30pm GMT |
| TOTAL | 12 x ½ days (36hrs) | ≈ 36hrs | 1250 € excl. VAT |
Following certification*, accredited Official VA Facilitators may:
• Work as an official VA Trainer in partnership with Verbal Aikido SASU (freelance status recommended)
• Facilitate or advise others with VA pro bono (FOC) in contexts other than training
• Provide and invoice VA training (VA Dojo, Level 1.1) by obtaining the license contract**
*Accredited professional certificates are valid for 1 year upon achievement, and are renewable after annual refresher training.
**Verbal Aikido® and Verbal Stretching® trademark license contract (1st year €600 excl. VAT, then €1200 excl. VAT) includes annual refresher training