Aikido of Petaluma

Western Aikido Association Fall Seminar

Published on 2013-08-20Leave a comment

On Saturday October 5th and Sunday October 6th, Aikido of Petaluma will be participating in the Western Aikido Association’s Fall Seminar. The seminar will be taught by John Stevens Shihan and Robert Frager Shihan and will feature a calligraphy class by Sensei Stevens. One of our instructors, Charlie Stapp will be presenting his yondan demonstration. As a result of our participation we will not be holding Aikido class in Petaluma on Saturday the 5th.

Times are TBD and we will posting more info when we get more information. Bob Noha sensei has negotiated discount pricing at Dinah’s Garden Hotel in Palo Alto for those who want to stay in Palo Alto for the event. You can find instructions and details for the discounted pricing here.

The hotel is blocking 5-10 rooms for us with till Wednesday, August 21st, after which they will release the rooms back to the public. You can see hotel accommodations at their website: http://www.dinahshotel.com/

Aikido of Petaluma celebrates 30 years – update

Published on 2013-07-18Leave a comment

On July 20th Aikido of Petaluma will be celebrating 30 years of teaching in Petaluma for Sensei Noha. We will be having a special training session reflecting on students and their lessons learned, as well as a first kyu test. Former students, friends and guests are welcome to join or watch the training.

After class we will be going to Pub Republic (arriving there between 1:30 and 2:00) to celebrate and everyone are welcome. Please bring cash to the restaurant as we cannot manage credit cards for this many people.

Pub Republic is located at 3120 A Lakeville Hwy. Petaluma, CA 94954.

We look forward to seeing you.

Aikido of Petaluma celebrates 30 years

Published on 2013-07-06Leave a comment

On July 20th Aikido of Petaluma will be celebrating 30 years of teaching in Petaluma for Sensei Noha. If you are former student, please come and say hi. We will also have a first kyu test and then go out as a group to Pub Republic in Petaluma. We look forward to seeing you!

Free Shotokan Karate Seminar – March 9, from 11:30am to 1:00pm

Published on 2013-02-10Leave a comment

On March 9th, from 11:30am to 1:00pm we will be hosting a free seminar. The workshop will share the basics of Shotokan Style Karate. It will include practice of both basics and kata. Roger Hamilton is a master teacher of Shotokan with decades of experience in several martial arts, a tournmanet champion and promoter. He is also the author of an autobiography called Never Quit.

The web site address is http://www.hamiltonkarate.com/.

His school, Hamilton Martial Arts Academy is located at 1441 E. Leland Rd. Pittsburgh, CA

Please come join us!

Kyu Tests – February 16th

Published on 2013-01-31Leave a comment

Aikido of Petaluma will be conducting kyu tests for two members of our school on Saturday, February 16th 2013 starting at 11:30. We will have an abbreviated class session and then start our testing for our 4th and 1st kyu candidates. Come join us and support our testing students.

Sensei Robert Noha promoted to 6th dan

Published on 2013-01-16Leave a comment

Aikido of Petaluma is very happy to announce the promotion of Sensei Robert Noha to 6th (roku) dan. Sensei Noha was promoted based on the recommendation of Robert Frager Shihan (7th dan) and the late Hiroshi Kato Shihan (8th dan).

This promotion reflects 47 years of involvement in the art of Aikido. Sensei received his 5th dan in the year 2000 awarded by Robert Nadeau Shihan. In addition to Aikido, Sensei teaches the yang style short form T’ai Chi and has a background in Judo, Kenpo Karate, Pa Kua Chang, Hsing-I and western boxing.

You can read more about Sensei Noha on our web page here:

Our Sensei

Please join us in our congratulations of Sensei Noha!

Video of Dan Testing 3-10-2012

Published on 2012-03-15Leave a comment

On Saturday, March 10, 2012, Aikido of Petaluma conducted testing for the rank of shodan (new black belt). Three candidates, Nancy Vayhinger, Aldo Quezada, and Mark De Souza successfully tested. We had a lot of support from family, members of visiting dojos and some great participation from the school.

Here is some footage of the event:

Mark De Souza

Aldo Quezada

Dan Testing – Saturday, March 10th 2012

Published on 2012-02-21Leave a comment

Aikido of Petaluma will be conducting dan testing on Saturday, March 10th, starting at 11:30am. We have three candidates up for the rank of Shodan, Nancy Vayinger, Aldo Quezada and Mark De Souza. We will start with training at 11:30 followed by dan testing.

Bob Noha on the Manifest, Hidden and Divine

Published on 2011-12-18Leave a comment

Sensei Bob Noha, Chief Instructor at Aikido of Petaluma speaks about O Sensei’s notions of the manifest (physical), hidden (dream) and divine (primordial). He discusses how with some simple practices we can integrate and experience these realms in a sword practice called Sho Chiku, Bai.

“Study the teachings of the pine tree, the bamboo and the plum blossom.
The pine (sho) is evergreen, firmly rooted and venerable.
The Bamboo (chiku) is strong, resilient, unbreakable.
The plum blossom (bai) is hardy, fragrant and elegant.”

– Morihei Ueshiba

No class on 12/24/2011 and 12/31/2011

Published on 2011-12-18Leave a comment

Due to the upcoming holidays, we will no be having class on Saturday 12/24/2011 and 12/31/2011. Tuesday and Thursday classes will continue as normal and our regular schedule will resume with Saturday classes starting back up on 1/7/2012.