Aikido of Santa Cruz -- Instructors

Instructors at Aikido of Santa Cruz


Glen Kimoto Sensei (Godan), Senior Instructor, and Linda Holiday Sensei (Rokudan), Executive Director and Chief Instructor of Aikido of Santa Cruz

Linda Holiday began her study of Aikido in 1970 as a first year student at the University of California, Santa Cruz, under Robert Frager Sensei and Frank Doran Sensei. This was during the first years of Aikido in America At that time the Aikido group in Santa Cruz was one of only four dojos in northern California. In 1972 Linda took a leave of absence from her university studies in art and music, in order to focus on Aikido. In 1973 she journeyed to Japan with fellow Aikidoist Richard Revoir. After they trained at Aikikai Hombu Dojo in Tokyo, Mary Heiny introduced them to the Kumano Juku Dojo in Shingu, Wakayama Prefecture, which was headed by Michio Hikitsuchi Sensei, 10th dan. Linda, Richard Revoir, and Jack Wada (now chief instructor of Aikido of San Jose) then moved from Tokyo to Shingu and became the first foreign Aikido students to live there and train intensively at the Kumano Juku Dojo. That first year of shugyo (intensive training) in Japan was transformative for Linda. She was inspired to dedicate her life to the martial art and spiritual discipline of Aikido.

Between 1973 and 1980 Linda spent about three years living and training in Shingu, under Chief Instructor Michio Hikitsuchi, 10th dan (now deceased), and other high-level shihan such as Motomichi Anno, Motoichi Yanase, and the late Yasushi Tojima, When possible, Linda trained at other dojos as well, in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Iwama. In addition, she studied the Japanese language, calligraphy, Bojutsu, Iaido, and became inspired by the spiritual practices of Shinto, Buddhism, and Misogi purification.

Other instructors who have had a major influence on Linda Sensei include Mitsugi Saotome, Hiroshi Kato, and the late Terry Dobson.

After intensive training in Japan, Linda Sensei returned to the U.S. in 1976, and began to teach Aikido in Santa Cruz. Jack Wada Sensei, who had been teaching here, decided go back to Japan and handed the UC Santa Cruz dojo over to Linda, who served as chief instructor there for for 6 years. In 1982, a core group of students, Glen Kimoto Sensei, and Linda Sensei started the dojo of North Bay Aikido in Santa Cruz. This dojo was born out of a desire to serve the community through a more full spectrum of classes, including children's classes. Now, it serves about 150 students each month, half of which are under 18. The dojo incorporated as an educational non-profit organization in 1986. In 1996, after 10 years of fundraising, we bought and remodeled our own dojo building in Santa Cruz. This dojo facility is big enough to host seminars with visiting instructors and special events like the Summer Intensives. Linda Sensei says, "The dojo is like a dream come true, and I feel very grateful for the community support which has made this possible."

Linda Sensei teaches regularly in Aikido of Santa Cruz and also leads seminars in other dojos. Following in the tradition of her teachers, she emphasizes the integration of physical and spiritual training in Aikido. She is collaborating on a book about Aikido philosophy and practice, with her teacher Motomichi Anno Shihan, 8th dan. Linda Sensei received her shodan (first degree black belt) in Shingu in 1973. She was promoted to rokudan (6th degree black belt) in 2005, by Anno Sensei (who became the new chief instructor in Shingu in 2004, following the passing of Hikitsuchi Sensei). Linda Sensei speaks and writes Japanese, practices Japanese brush calligraphy, and has served as translator for a number of Japanese Aikido shihan in America. She received a Masters Degree in East Asian Studies from Stanford University in 1982. Linda Sensei is a poet, writer, and lover of the mountains of the High Sierra. She has a teenage son who also practices Aikido.
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Instructors for Youth Classes
Aikido for Teens: Aimen Al-Refai Aimen Al Refai has been the chief instructor of our Teen Classes since 1996. Aimen is a highly skilled Aikidoist and an experienced teacher of young people. He first taught Aikido classes for kids at Musubi Dojo in southern California. Aimen has been a senior student here at North Bay Aikido since 1993, receiving his third degree black belt in 2002, and he continues to pursue his Aikido training with great commitment. Aimen Sensei has an engaging, humorous style of teaching, complemented by his serious focus and a wonderful 'presence', which draws young people in and leads them along the path of Aikido. Aikido for Young People (aka YPC - Young People's Class) (9-12 yrs): Gresham Andrews Gresham has a long history with our dojo as he began his Aikdio training in 1986 when the dojo was on Washington Street. In his time here he has and assisted with the young people's classes until he stepped up to lead them in the Fall of 2008. Gresham thinks that Aikido is great for all sizes of people to practice moving through life, encountering challenges and moving fluidly and peacefully through to a resolution that honors both parties. Aikido can help us learn grace, balance, and the ability to fall down and get right back up and to try again. Aikido for Kids (6-9 yrs): Jody Ho Jody is on of the most senior black belts at our dojo and has been deeply involved with all aspects of the dojo's operation. Jody has led the 6-9 year old class since late 2007 and brings a sense of calm purpose to the children's practice.

Instructors for Youth Classes

Aikido for Teens: Aimen Al-Refai
Aimen Al Refai has been the chief instructor of our Teen Classes since 1996. Aimen is a highly skilled Aikidoist and an experienced teacher of young people. He first taught Aikido classes for kids at Musubi Dojo in southern California. Aimen has been a senior student here at North Bay Aikido since 1993, receiving his third degree black belt in 2002, and he continues to pursue his Aikido training with great commitment. Aimen Sensei has an engaging, humorous style of teaching, complemented by his serious focus and a wonderful 'presence', which draws young people in and leads them along the path of Aikido.

Aikido for Young People (aka YPC - Young People's Class) (9-12 yrs): Gresham Andrews
Gresham has a long history with our dojo as he began his Aikdio training in 1986 when the dojo was on Washington Street. In his time here he has and assisted with the young people's classes until he stepped up to lead them in the Fall of 2008. Gresham thinks that Aikido is great for all sizes of people to practice moving through life, encountering challenges and moving fluidly and peacefully through to a resolution that honors both parties. Aikido can help us learn grace, balance, and the ability to fall down and get right back up and to try again.

Aikido for Kids (6-9 yrs): Jody Ho
Jody is on of the most senior black belts at our dojo and has been deeply involved with all aspects of the dojo's operation. Jody has led the 6-9 year old class since late 2007 and brings a sense of calm purpose to the children's practice.

Other Instructors
Other black belt instructors provide quality instruction with Heart and Ki for some classes, among them: Alan Holiday, Astrid von Soosten, Bill Perrett, David Sofen, Dennis Wheeler, Devin Hammer, Jay Munyer, Jeanne Sofen, Joe Alaniz, Louise Alaniz, Melissa Peckinpah, Neil Mick, Nicolo Tsao, Nico Secunda, Peter Dommel, Ryan Montgomery, Scott Evans