Maria Borges
Maria Borges Sensei ⋙ Shodan (1st degree black belt)
Began training in Aikido in 2017
Maria first became excited about Aikido after seeing the positive effects it had on the lives of her younger brother, Josh Brown and her son, Sky Borges who both started training in the youth program at Aikido of Santa Cruz when they were six years old. Maria was also drawn to Aikido because of the founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba O Sensei's, commitment to environmentalism and respect for nature and the preservation of life.
Maria began her own study of martial arts in 2017 while training intensively in Aikido and self-defense at the University of California, Santa Cruz with Yoshi Shibata Sensei.
She continues her practice at Aikido of Santa Cruz with Linda Holiday, Glen Kimoto and Aimen Al Rafai Senseis. Maria is also inspired by and has trained at seminars with Takeshi Yamashima Sensei (8th dan), Mary Heiny Sensei, and Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido’s grandson and was lucky enough to get to train in Japan!
Maria has experience teaching adults, teens, and children, and served as a teaching assistant for college-level Aikido and self-defense students at UCSC. Since 2021, she has assisted in and taught youth and teen classes at Aikido of Santa Cruz and is dedicated to helping young people improve their lives by increasing their ability to deal with stress and build calmness and confidence through Aikido practice. She is committed to creating an environment of respect, inclusion and kindness for her students. In addition, Maria is a strong supporter of LGBTQIA+, Indigenous Peoples and minority rights.
Maria’s teaching philosophy includes, as O Sensei said, to “always practice” and teach Aikido “ in a joyful and vibrant manner,” to incorporate qualities of nature into her Aikido practice and to remember that Aikido is “ban yu ai go,” love and protection for all beings.
In addition to Aikido, Maria has a background in non-violent communication and environmental interpretation. She teaches outdoor education classes in ethnobotany and nature awareness. Maria holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from UCSC. She also enjoys hiking, birding, painting, wildlife photography, watching Hayao Miyazaki Studio Ghibli films, vegan cooking and baking and of course practicing Aikido with her children Sky and Zen.