Leadership Transition

Message from

Linda Holiday Sensei

Dear Aikido of Santa Cruz Dojo Community and Friends,

Warm regards and best wishes, as we begin another year of Aikido practice together!  I am writing to share with you some important and good news about the future of Aikido of Santa Cruz.
 
It's been over 40 years since our dojo was founded and I undertook the responsibility of leading and developing Aikido of Santa Cruz (formerly North Bay Aikido) as its Chief Instructor and Executive Director.  Our dojo has long been a place of sincere Aikido practice and a vibrant community.  We have a rich history, with deep connections to O-Sensei's lineage, and we continue to do our best to provide a positive model for Aikido in the world now.  I envision a bright future for Aikido of Santa Cruz.
 
Turning 70 was a recent major milestone for me.  It was a reminder to deeply consider how I can contribute most fully to Aikido – my life's path and mission – while continuing to support our dojo, and to live a sustainable, joyful life in my seventies and beyond.  I have a deep desire to continue to teach, to write, to translate teachings from Japan, and to help bring people together in the Aikido World Family, here in Santa Cruz and in the world.  It is clear to me that our dojo – and Aikido itself, around the world – needs to move forward with a thoughtful transition of leadership to the younger generations of Aikidoists, who will continue Aikido far into the future.

For years, I have envisioned Nico Secunda as a natural leader for the future of Aikido of Santa Cruz.  Nico is ideally suited for this role, due to his youth, his sincere dedication to Aikido and our dojo for the last 28 years, his business management skills, his deep connection to the lineage and spirit of Aikido, and his positive vision for the future.  In recent years, Nico and I have worked together, along with the dojo board of directors, to craft a plan for a generational leadership transition for our dojo.

Now, I am happy to share with you this news:  at the beginning of March 2024, Nico Secunda will formally take on the responsibilities of the Chief Instructor and Executive Director of Aikido of Santa Cruz.

Please rest assured, I am not going to disappear or retire from Aikido, and you will continue to see me in the dojo, on the mat, and online!  I will continue to teach classes and seminars at Aikido of Santa Cruz and to support our dojo in other ways, with the new title of “Founder & Senior Teacher”.  Nico's leadership and management will strengthen Aikido of Santa Cruz.  It will also provide me with the flexibility to write another Aikido book, to teach in numerous ways, and to travel freely to share the heart of Aikido that my teachers have generously conveyed.

I am very happy about this proactive evolutionary step that we are taking together.  I am confident that Aikido of Santa Cruz, and Aikido itself, will be in very good hands as we continue to train in the years to come.  Thank you, Nico, for your willingness to take this big step forward.  Heartfelt gratitude to all of you in our community for your support of Nico and our dojo, as we continue our dedication to O-Sensei’s Aikido path.

– Linda Holiday