Aikido of Champlain Valley

In Memory of Kazuo Chiba Sensei (February 5, 1940- June 5, 2015). Photo by Scott Brightwell, at Aikido of Champlain Valley in Burlington, VT c. 2006

Vote for Aikido of Champlain Valley as "The Best Martial Arts Studio" in Vermont in Seven Days Magazine: https://ballot.sevendaysvt.com/services/best-martial-arts-studio

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Why vote for ACV as the "Best Martial Arts Studio?" Here are 17 reasons to vote. Also, let us know if you cast your ballot in the comments section! We are in the "Services" category and the "Best Martial Arts Studio" is the 4th category up from the bottom of the page.

1. One of Vermont’s only 501(c)3 tax exempt non-profit martial arts studios (founded in 1997)

2. Commitment to learning trauma informed instruction (we continue to learn how to support survivors) and creating a safe space

3. Providing youth at risk scholarships for almost 30 years

4. Roots of Prevention Award winning youth program

5. Many years working with King Street Youth/first American and refugee families

6. Extensive networking with clinical/mental health youth services and other area non-profits, including Women’s self-defense and Trauma informed training through The Safety Team, Outright Vermont the Howard Center and Youth Build

7. Inclusive classes, including a gender-neutral changing room/bathrooms

8. A comprehensive gender equity/sexual harassment policy since 1997 (and the inspiration for many other dojos/federations to adopt/change similar policies)

9. Family Friendly dojo with kids play space and parent’s lounge

10. Exemplary technical training with Vermont’s senior aikido teacher and Vermont's only shihan (master teacher in aikido) and fully certified teachers ranked through Birankai North America and Hombu dojo, Japan

11. The cultivation of the relationship between technical embodiment and internal growth

12. Vermont’s only aikido kenshusei program (intensive teacher training)

13. Discounts for Hunger Mountain coop members

14. Beautiful, spacious dojo with shower and kitchen

15. UVM Aikido club and UVMcredit class for over 25 years

16. Recipient of 2026 Capacity Grant from Vermont Community Foundation

17. We cultivate an atmosphere of continual curiosity, learning and growth

Thank you for your support- please let us know that you voted in the comment section (or if you need more reasons)

Seven Daysies Ballot 2026 Vote for your favorite Vermont businesses, people and places June 2-15, 2026.

Please nominate Aikido of Champlain Valley as "The Best Martial Arts Studio" by Sunday, May 3rd: https://ballot.sevendaysvt.com/services/best-martial-arts-studio