Verbal Aikido is a means of communication that enables the practitioner to transform verbal attacks, both effectively and peacefully. This philosophy comes from the Japanese martial art of Aikido that seeks to transform ‘attackers’ into training partners. It’s a fun and easy-to-learn approach that can be learned from ages as young as 5 years old. Regular practice of Verbal Aikido considerably increases self-esteem, altruism, and the confidence to manage conflict in a self-affirming and harmonious manner.

Luke Archer is an Irish-born teacher trainer, writer and public speaker on communication, conflict management, and education development. He’s been living in Lyon, France since 1995, where he has innovated and pioneered Verbal Aikido training since 2009. He continues to work with companies, schools and students of all ages internationally spreading this way of peaceful communication to one boardroom or classroom at a time.

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More Information: Betterfly France

Verbal Aikido

Stephen Kotev is a Washington D.C. based conflict resolution consultant offering mediation, negotiation and facilitation services, conflict coaching, training and somatic education to private and government clients. Helping people resolve problems and improve their performance is his passion and profession. Stephen has dedicated his professional career to the practice and study of conflict resolution. His first exposure to conflict resolution began as a high school peer mediator over twenty years ago and his interest in the theory and practice of conflict resolution continues to this day. He holds a Master of Science degree from George Mason University’s School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution and is certified in conflict coaching by Conflict Coaching Matters LLC. Stephen is a black belt in the Japanese martial art of Aikido and has become a nationally recognized expert on how to maintain your performance under pressure. Since 2006, he has taught graduate and undergraduate students these somatic skills as an Adjunct Professor for George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.

Stephen is one of only two individuals to have been employed by both of the nation’s two largest Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) membership organizations – the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution and the Association for Conflict Resolution. He has also worked for the Ohio Commission on Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management and the District of Columbia Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency as an ADR Specialist. He has conducted trainings to international and national audiences in, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Germany, Northern Ireland and across the United States.