Aikido of Santa Cruz

Congratulations on an incredible shodan exam! Having you grow up as a member of the dojo has been a gift for the community and all your training partners. Gambatte!

Santa Cruz Aikido Summer Retreat
Juy 8-12, 2026

with Mary Heiny, Linda Holiday, Haruo Matsuoka, Kimberly Richardson, Michael Friedl, Matt Fluty, and Nico Secunda.

Throughout this retreat, we will focus on the teaching of isshokenmei 一生懸命, a Japanese phrase meaning to do something with complete dedication. We will explore the experience of isshokenmei ni ganbaru, persevering with full commitment – body, mind, and spirit. This was the focus Motomichi Anno Sensei chose for this year before his passing at the end of January.

This will be Mary Heiny Sensei’s final year teaching at retreat.

We hope you’ll join us!

Register by June 1 to Save $100
Learn More → https://aikidosantacruz.org/events/summer-retreat -training

Aikido of Santa Cruz A nonprofit educational organization offering classes in Aikido (The Art of Peace) since 1982

Join us this Saturday, March 7th for the Women's Aikido Seminar with senseis Linda Holiday, Penny Sabolve, Yayoi Nagano, and Yu-Chen Shen.

-- Sign Up Now --
Registration Closes March 3

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Womens Seminar — Aikido of Santa Cruz Join us for this special 1-day Aikido seminar organized by and for women. This seminar is an opportunity to learn from amazing women instructors and connect with a diverse community of women practicing Aikido together.

Reminder: Online Memorial for Motomichi Anno Sensei
TODAY // Saturday, February 28, 2026 • 9:00 am – 10:15 am PST

Join Now —> https://aikidosantacruz.regfox.com/remembering-motomichi-anno-sensei

Reminder: Online Memorial for Motomichi Anno Sensei
TODAY // Saturday, February 28, 2026 • 9:00 am – 10:15 am PST

Join Now --> https://aikidosantacruz.regfox.com/remembering-motomichi-anno-sensei
More info --> https://www.facebook.com/events/1877331309569040

Remembering Motomichi Anno Sensei

Learn More — > https://aikidosantacruz.org/motomichi-anno-sensei

Today we gathered to honor our teacher Motomichi Anno Sensei. His life continues to be an inspiration and his teachings a guiding light in our practice.

This unique class was instructed by Anno Sensei through the lens of archival video footage recorded over the decades of his visits to Santa Cruz, California. With a window into the past, we took a step forward in carrying on his legacy and vision.

Anno Sensei’s spirit of love and light lives on in the hearts of all those he touched throughout his long life.

Thank you Sensei! We are filled with gratitude.

View Online Memorial
—> https://aikidosantacruz.org/motomichi-anno-sensei

Motomichi Anno Sensei was one of the highest-level teachers of Aikido in the world. An eighth-degree black belt since 1978, he was among the last generation of Japanese master-teachers to receive direct instruction from the founder of Aikido. Anno Sensei’s simple wisdom, humility, and depth of heart inspired thousands of students and teachers in Japan and around the world.