2023 Summer Retreat Instructors
Mary Heiny, 7th Dan
Linda Holiday, 7th Dan
With special guest instructors
Jack Wada, 7th Dan
Michael Friedl, 7th Dan
Kayla Feder, 7th Dan
Kimberly Richardson, 7th Dan
Ginny Breeland, 6th Dan
Mike Weber, 5th Dan
Ricardo Jenez, 4th Dan
Nico Secunda, 4th Dan
Retreat Instructors
Mary Heiny Sensei, 7th Dan
Mary Heiny started on a journey of physical and spiritual inspiration as a student of Aikido in 1965 after watching O-Sensei teach a class at Hombu Dojo in Tokyo, Japan. After studying in Tokyo and in Shingu from 1968 to 1973, Mary Sensei returned to the United States and began to teach as one of the pioneering Aikido instructors in America. Based in Seattle, she frequently teaches Aikido seminars in the United States, Canada, and abroad. Mary Sensei’s teaching is dynamic, eloquent, and accessible. She brings to every seminar not only her years of Aikido training and teaching, but also her extensive study of Japanese culture, language, and Shinto and Buddhist philosophies. She communicates the beauty and challenge of O-Sensei’s desire that we use Aikido to become empowered as creative, compassionate beings and learn to appreciate each other as members of one human family.
“Through Aikido we may examine the nature of power, engage in compromising self-scrutiny, and realize our potential as powerful, compassionate, self-aware human beings.”
— Mary Heiny Sensei
Linda Holiday Sensei, 7th Dan
Linda Holiday is the chief instructor of Aikido of Santa Cruz, California. She began her Aikido training in Santa Cruz in 1970, under Senseis Frank Doran and Robert Frager. In 1973 she moved to Japan for several years to receive instruction from the generation of Japanese Aikido teachers who had studied directly with the founder of Aikido. Linda Sensei was one of the first Westerners to live in the remove Kumano area of Japan and undertake rigorous physical and spiritual practice at the Kumano Juku Dojo. She is a close student and interpreter of Motomichi Anno Sensei, and her book Journey to the Heart of Aikido: The Teachings for Motomichi Anno Sensei has inspired Aikidoists worldwide. She holds a master’s degree in East Asian studies from Stanford University. Linda Sensei has been teaching Aikido full time since 1976, devoting herself to the founding and development of Aikido of Santa Cruz, as well as leading seminars in the U.S. and Europe. Her classes are known for their energetic movement, misogi purification, and inclusive community spirit.
Journey to the Heart of Aikido presents the teachings of Motomichi Anno Sensei as well as a rich tapestry of stories that bring Aikido history alive — including author-translator Linda Holiday’s experiences training in the Kumano Juku Dojo, Japan, in the 1970’s.
See www.journeytoaikido.com for more information.
(Available for purchase and signing at the Summer Retreat.)
“This book is a treasure of wisdom from the heart of a true peacemaker.”
—Thich Nhat Hanh, Zen master, author of Peace is Every Step.
Guest Instructors
Jack Wada Sensei, 7th Dan, Aikido of San Jose
Since beginning his training in 1969, Jack Wada has dedicated himself to the integration of physical and spiritual practice in Aikido. He trained intensively at the Kumano Juku Dojo in Japan in the 1970’s. Jack Sensei has been teaching since 1974, at UC Santa Cruz, Aikido of San Jose, San Jose State University, and West Valley Community College in Saratoga, California. He is also a teacher of T'ai Chi. His deeply based, refined and inspired technique, and his long years of weapons training and meditative practices, make Jack Sensei a tremendous resource.
Michael Friedl Sensei, 7th Dan, Aikido of Ashland
Michael Friedl Sensei began his Aikido training in 1972 under Clyde Takeguchi Sensei, and is a longtime student of Frank Doran Sensei. He was uchi deshi for Takeguchi Sensei (1975-1977) and Saito Sensei in Iwama, Japan (1981-1983). He has been Chief Instructor of Aikido of Ashland, Oregon, since its opening in 1995, and leads Division 2 of the California Aikido Association.
Kayla Feder Sensei, 7th Dan, Aikido of Berkeley
Kayla Feder Sensei is the Chief Instructor of Aikido of Berkeley, California. She began her Aikido training in 1973 at the age of 9. She studied directly under Morihiro Saito Sensei in Iwama, Japan. Kayla Sensei has also trained with and been strongly influenced by Doran Shihan, Nadeau Shihan, Saotome Shihan, and Ikeda Shihan.
Kimberly Richardson Sensei, 7th Dan, Two Cranes Aikido
Kimberly Sensei is the founder and Chief Instructor of Two Cranes Aikido, in Seattle, Washington. She began her practice in 1978 at Naropa Institute and soon after moved to Seattle to train with Mary Heiny Sensei. She has also studied throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan, most notably with Motomichi Anno Shihan, Saotome and Ikeda Shihan, and Dobson and Read Senseis. Kimberly Sensei is the author of the children's book Gus Learns to Fly.
Ginny Breeland Sensei, 6th Dan, Cotati Aikido
Ginny Breeland Sensei is the chief instructor of Cotati Aikido. She started her Aikido training in 1978 at Napa Junior College (California) under William Morris. She later trained with Dennis Tatoian Sensei before spending 20+ years with Hans Goto Shihan (both early students of Morihiro Saito Shihan in Iwama). She began teaching in the 1990s, as Goto Sensei’s assistant instructor. In 2006, after visiting Iwama, Ginny Sensei co-founded Cotati Aikido with her husband, Pete Breeland. She began creating instructional videos for YouTube in 2010 and started writing for a Facebook page, ‘Aikido Advice for Women ... and a few men’. She has taught and trained at many venues in Northern California, including the TAA Gasshuku near Lake Tahoe; Tuscon, AZ; Sarasota, FL; Fredericksburg, VA; and Chiappas, Mexico
Mike Weber Sensei, 5th Dan, Aikido of Wales (WI)
Mike Weber, founder and dojo cho of Aikido of Wales (Wisconsin), has been studying Aikido since 1989. His training includes three years of living and training in Shingu, Japan, under Aikido 10th Dan Michio Hikitsuchi Sensei. Mike's study has been heavily influenced by the many senior instructors of the Kumano Juku Dojo, including Motomichi Anno Sensei, Mitsuo Tasaka Sensei, and others. Mike Sensei's teaching is best expressed in the phrase "Issho Kenmei," which means to commit your whole heart/being to an endeavor.
Ricardo Jenez Sensei, 4th Dan, Aikido West
Ricardo Jenez is an instructor at Aikido West, in Redwood City, California. He began studying Aikido in 1991 as a student of Molly Hale Sensei, at Oracle Corporation as a satellite of Aikido West. He begain training at Aikido West under the guidance of Frank Doran Shihan and instruction of Cyndy Hayashi Shihan shortly after that. Ricardo Sensei has also studied Karate and has a fondness for Aikido weapons, and tries to draw these two disciplines into his practice of open hand Aikido techniques. He often serves as otomo and uke for Frank Doran Shihan, and has visited Aikido of Santa Cruz previously in that capacity.
Nico Secunda Sensei, 4th Dan, Aikido of Santa Cruz
Nico Secunda Sensei began his study of Aikido at a young age in Santa Cruz and continues as a student of Linda Holiday Sensei. For over 26 years he has dedicated himself to the teachings of Aikido and to embodying the spirit of nature through his movement. As a close student of Motomichi Anno Shihan, Nico Sensei has journeyed to Japan many times to deepen his practice and connection with the roots of Aikido.