The typical starting age for kyudo is 16, however we've had success with some archers as young as 14. It's mainly a function of height (you need to be at least 5 feet tall due to the height of the bows) and maturity. 

Qualified instruction is pretty spread out in US, but we are growing! Here are some locations and links to other groups belonging to the American Kyudo Renmei:

• Arizona

• California, Northern

• California, Southern

• Florida

• Georgia

• Maine

• Minnesota

• Nevada

• New York / New Jersey

• North Carolina

• South Carolina

• Texas

• Virginia

• Washington

• Wisconsin

Martial arts is best learned with an experienced individual on hand to give direct feedback. For your safety, it's important you be able to attend classes in person.

Yes! Our bows have draw weights as low as 16 pounds. So long as you use proper technique to protect your joints, you can continue kyudo well into advanced age, regardless of physical strength. 

It depends largely on the disability. Chronic injury in the shoulders, arms or wrists are difficult to get around without aggravating the condition. Loss of fine motor control will also be prohibitive. Leg and knee problems can usually be accommodated, though, up to and including paraplegia. There's even been at least one blind kyudoka we've heard of. If there's a way to modify kyudo without compromising safety, we'll find it.

Unfortunately, we do not have enough club equipment to teach more than a handful of new archers at a time.