Aikido of Petaluma has been offering gentle martial and energy arts for the pressures of daily life since 1983. Our training emphasizes personal growth and development within the medium of a martial art. Our instructors offer a supportive, joyful, and diverse training environment.
Beginners are welcome and encouraged to observe and participate in any of our classes.
Class Notes:
Sensei Noha, as part of his online classes, prepares class notes, with extensive details. He has made his notes available to everyone.
Class Notes Topic Index
Current topic and associated class notes
Finer Experience of the I
A series of classes focusing, practicing, and developing a fuller and finer experience of the I or self.
We are happy to announce that we are starting children’s classes beginning February 1st! Find more information on our Children’s Class page.
Get your Aikido of Petaluma tee shirt here: Our awesome friend at Aiki Comics created this fantastic design that they made available for purchase here
Aikido can be summed up like this: True victory is self-victory; let that day arrive quickly! "True victory" means unflinching courage; "self-victory" symbolizes unflagging effort; and "let that day arrive quickly" represents the glorious moment of triumph in the here and now.
– Morihei Ueshiba
Aikido of Petaluma has been offering gentle martial and energy arts for the pressures of daily life since 1983. Our training emphasizes personal growth and development within the medium of a martial art. Our instructors offer a supportive, joyful and diverse training environment.
Beginners are welcome and encouraged to observe and participate in any of our classes.
We are currently practicing the sword and jo katas Rinjiro Shirata Sensei transmitted to Sensei John Stevens. Links to the Misogi No Jo and Misogi No Ken katas can be found here:
T’ai Chi Students, we have started practicing the feather sword form. You can view one of Professor Cheng’s senior students, Ken Van Sickle perform the sword form here:
Aikido of Petaluma on Facebook
New Release![]()
WINTER 2021 MASTERS Magazine & FRAMES Video![]()
Featuring TADASHI YAMASHITA![]()
DVD/CD Collectors Edition at: MastersMag.com![]()
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View Trailer on YouTube![]()
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View Trailer on YouTube![]()
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4 Ways to Purchase:![]()
1. Buy DVD/CD (Collector's Edition Set - Both PDF of Magazine + FRAMES DVD with Interviews ) on This Page![]()
2. Buy Video Download (both included PDF of Magazine & FRAMES Video) at PlatformPurple - ENTER![]()
3. Buy PAPER Magazine ONLY (No Video) on Amazon (Print on Demand) ENTER Amazon POD![]()
4. Current Issues (PDF & Frames Video) are included in the LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP (digital) - ENTER![]()
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MASTERS Magazine - WINTER 2021 featuring TADASHI YAMASHITA![]()
INCLUDED:![]()
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TADASHI YAMASHITA![]()
An Extraordinary![]()
Human Being![]()
By Brandon Pender![]()
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WHY DO I TRAIN?![]()
The Founders’ Insight![]()
By Robert Noha![]()
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ALEXANDRA FERRACI![]()
Un Grand Pas En Avant!![]()
By Jose M. Fraguas![]()
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THE TSUBA![]()
The Unsung Hero of the Samurai![]()
By Dan de Rooy![]()
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SHAOLIN TRAINING![]()
Building a Strong Foundation![]()
By Donald Hamby![]()
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COLUMNS![]()
KAZOKU by Jerry Figgiani![]()
KARATE INSIGHTS by Rick Brewer![]()
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Martial Art FRAMES Video includes:![]()
Tadashi Yamashita Interview & Donald Hamby demo of "The 5 animals of Kung Fu"
EVERYONE IS INVITED…. ![]()
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O'Sensei Revisited Virtual Workshop - Autumn 2021![]()
11 different instructors, 11 different classes over three consecutive Fridays via Zoom![]()
6:30 - 8:00pm California time on October 15, 22 & 29![]()
Every Friday 4 classes each 20 minutes separated by short breaks![]()
The workshop will be “Gi and Hakama Optional.” ![]()
No charge to participate for dues paying members of City Aikido, Aikido of Mountain View or Aikido of San Jose. For all others, voluntary donations to Nadeau sensei of any amount will be gratefully accepted via PayPal to <<Katjasimona@sbcglobal.net>>![]()
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Join OSR 2021 classes on Zoom by clicking this link, or pasting it into your browser. zoom.us/j/97942339351?pwd=NUZvdjdEckhsbWlBeExVSzVlR2RyZz09![]()
It is also possible to join directly from the Zoom app on your device using these settings![]()
• Meeting ID: 979 4233 9351![]()
• Password: BobShihan![]()
ZOOM session opens at 6:15pm PDT![]()
Please be sure to update your Zoom app to the latest version. Currently v5.8.1![]()
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Osensei Revisited Autumn 2021 Workshop Instructors![]()
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Friday October 15th First Class![]()
Instructor: Bob Leichner, 6th dan![]()
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Bob has practiced Aikido over many years with three American teachers: Frank Doran, Mary Heiny and Robert Nadeau. He began his Aikido study with Doran sensei in 1978. Then, he met Mary Heiny sensei in 1999. During his early years in Aikido, Bob was repeatedly impressed by the quality of the movement and presence on the mat of certain training partners, qualities that Bob felt he needed to experience and add to his own practice. When he asked who these students trained with, the answer was frequently “Robert Nadeau sensei.” And so, he began practicing with Nadeau sensei, as well. To this day, Bob considers it a privilege to train under these three exceptional Aikido teachers.![]()
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Friday October 15th Second Class![]()
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Instructor: Ross Madden, 6th dan![]()
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Ross began studying Aikido with Robert Nadeau sensei in 1980. He has trained with many other recognized teachers in California, New York City, Europe, and at Aikido Hombu Dojo in Tokyo. Ross's teaching emphasizes the development of kindness and compassion to enhance the spiritual and emotional health of the student. He also tries to embody these same qualities in his work as an attorney and mediator. He is the author of THE THREE POISONS: A Buddhist Guide to Resolving Conflict.![]()
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Friday October 15th Third Class![]()
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Instructor: Bob Noha, 6th dan![]()
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Bob began practicing Aikido in 1966 in Mountain View and shortly thereafter began training with Robert Nadeau sensei, the start of a life-long friendship. Bob started the first Aikido school in the Washington D.C. area in 1970 and taught arrest/restraint tactics to U.S. Military Police at Andrews Air Force Base in 1974. Then, in 1975, he founded the first Aikido school in Buffalo, N.Y. Bob travelled to Japan to further deepen his Aikido training in 1998, 1999 and 2006. He founded Aikido of Petaluma in 1983 and continues to serve as its chief instructor. In addition, Bob is also a devoted student and teacher of T’ai Chi and has a background in several other martial arts.![]()
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Friday October 15th Fourth Class![]()
Instructor: Teja Bell, 6th dan![]()
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Teja began practicing Aikido in 1971 and has been studying with Robert Nadeau sensei since 1979. He has also practiced with many of O’Sensei’s first generation teachers, including Francis Takahashi, Morihiro Saito, Akira Tohei, Kazuo Chiba, Hiroshi Ikeda, Terry Dobson, Mitsugi Saotome, and Mitsunari Kanai sensei. Teja’s relationship with Frank McGouirk sensei of Aikido-Ai spans over 35 years, integrating Aikido, Zen and healing arts. An ordained Rinzai-lineage Zen Master and meditation teacher, Roshi Fudo Myoo Teja Bell is the 84th Ancestor of this Zen tradition.![]()
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Friday October 22nd First Class![]()
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Instructor: Jack Wada, 7th dan![]()
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Jack began his study of Aikido in 1969 while a student at UC Santa Cruz under Robert Frager sensei, and through him came to know Robert Nadeau sensei, a close relationship that continues to this day. In 1973, Jack made his first of several trips to Japan to study at the Kumano Juku dojo under Hikitsuchi, Anno, Yanase and Tojima sensei. Since 1980, Jack has served as the chief instructor at Aikido of San Jose. He always tries to follow O’sensei’s life and teachings, letting them guide his own training and the Aikido classes he teaches. In addition, Jack is also a long-time student and teacher of T’ai Chi.![]()
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Friday October 22nd Second Class![]()
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Harry Concepcion, 5th dan![]()
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After studying Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do, and Karate for years, Harry wanted a martial discipline that offered more depth and substance beyond competitive fighting and tournaments. After researching various internal martial arts, he discovered that Aikido was the right fit for him and began practicing with Jack Wada sensei in 1988. Harry continues to train and teach at Aikido of San Jose and enjoys visiting other dojos around the world.![]()
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Friday October 22th Third Class![]()
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Instructor: Laurin Herr, 6th dan![]()
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Laurin was introduced to Aikido in 1971 as a student at Cornell University. Inspired by his first experience on the mat, he studied Japanese intensively, moved to Tokyo and entered Aikido Hombu Dojo as an unranked white belt, earning his shodan there in 1976. He spent formative years at the Kumano Juku Dojo in Shingu, Japan training under Hikitsuchi, Anno, Yanase and Tojima sensei. He also practiced at the Bond Street Dojo in New York City with Terry Dobson and Ken Nisson. Laurin settled in the San Francisco Bay Area, and in 1998 started practicing with Robert Nadeau sensei. He taught at City Aikido of San Francisco 2004 - 2020 and has been teaching at Aikido of Mountain View since 2021.![]()
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Friday October 29th First Class![]()
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Instructor: Mike Ashwell, 6th dan![]()
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As a young man, Mike was inspired by watching “Enter the Dragon” and began studying Feng Shou (hand of the wind) Kung Fu in England in 1974. He began his Aikido training in 1976 in South Africa and continued practicing when he subsequently moved to New Zealand. Now with more than 35 years experience teaching and guiding others, Mike currently serves as dojo-cho of the RIAI Aikido Dojo in Ponsonby, Auckland, NZ.![]()
Friday October 29th Second Class![]()
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Instructor: Kenneth Kron, not fond of ranks 🙂![]()
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After years searching for a sensei, Kenneth found Robert Nadeau shihan in 1987. Over the ensuing decades, Kenneth has had the good fortune to travel the world studying with Nadeau and Richard Moon sensei. Kenneth co-created the well-subscribed Moonsensei Channel on YouTube, which features Aikido demonstrations and lectures from Nadeau and Moon sensei going back many years, right up to the present. Nadeau shihan once told Kenneth that rank is a private conversation between teacher and student, and only they can understand its true meaning.![]()
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Friday October 29th Third Class![]()
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Instructor: Elaine Yoder, 6th dan![]()
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Elaine began her Aikido training in 1977 with Robert Nadeau sensei. She has continued training and teaching in the Bay Area over the past 44 years. The focus of her Aikido teaching, as well as her professional practice as a Feldenkrais® Practitioner, is to use movement to help humans live full and healthy lives.![]()
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Friday October 29th Fourth Class![]()
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Instructor: Richard Moon, 6th dan![]()
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Richard began his study of martial arts in 1969, training in Shotokan Karate, Kenpo and Kung Fu under various teachers. He began his practice of Aikido in 1971 under Robert Nadeau sensei, a relationship continuing to this day. Richard was also a personal student of Bira Almedia, Mestre Accordion of Brazilian Capoeira; practiced Cheng Hsin with world champion Peter Ralston; and trained in Chi Gung with B.K. Frantzis. Richard was the founder and chief instructor at Aikido of Marin. He was also a co-founder and senior instructor at City Aikido of San Francisco for many years.
Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting
zoom.us
Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, confer...
Here are connections to the talks by Stevens Sensei.![]()
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Hi Bob![]()
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I thought you wanted that and I was writing you a message with the links already. Here you are:![]()
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The first one, The Many Names of Ueshiba Morihei:![]()
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auckland.zoom.us/rec/share/AIV4Dlx3Hxz7S7Lq2rwkSaRQUWAy_zlu7TlI0tj77zCCicWgLmP4f2qUCfTjsiMG.92yUg...![]()
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Passcode: yD0.UaWh![]()
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The second, Morihei's Religion: Shinto and Shingon Budhism:![]()
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auckland.zoom.us/rec/share/v4GgASu-qZl7YXp-WD43kREKfFjaXaFguxoDJP3UCDe2TJ72bN_ZYfiTbwfl4nhU.t7uPS...![]()
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Passcode: sq=7zR7p![]()
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The third, Morihei’s Religion: Omoto-Kyo![]()
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auckland.zoom.us/rec/share/huFWhEctXaYFkauMO3r3djekEPg2IClfCxEXvbYcg7vpbUXQJzOx0ODjx1ljtFHO.xmbEJ...![]()
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Passcode: rP@5&djv![]()
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The fourth, Morihei’s Religion: The 43 Gods of the Aiki Shrine![]()
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auckland.zoom.us/rec/share/3jrOwZDuaOvnojuJivT3SRZIrID6gOZpa4lw_KHeIF9ruySH7RjsO61iSjxOtAXI.nD3tj...![]()
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Passcode: p.!nfLp0![]()
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The recordings will be accessible for three months from each recording, after which we will need a permanent solution, although I am able to keep a copy locally and can always send them out if our solution with Wilbert and Judith takes longer than expected.![]()
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Regards,![]()
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Hugh
Video Conferencing, Web Conferencing, Online Meetings, Screen Sharing - Zoom
auckland.zoom.us
Zoom unifies cloud video conferencing, simple online meetings, and cross platform group chat into one easy-to-use platform. Our solution offers the best video, audio, and screen-sharing experience across Zoom Rooms, Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and H.323/SIP room systems.
Bill's Memorial Service will be on Friday Sept. 3rd starting at 11:00 AM at Tomrose Ranch 6307 Stoney Point Road, lucnh will be served.![]()
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Bob Noha![]()
Chief Instructor
Updated Mask Mandate for Training - mailchi.mp/b4df6d38bd26/saturday-test-postponement-6105202
Updated Mask Mandate for Training
mailchi.mp
