It’s a true honor and absolute privilege to present this episode of Ki to the City, featuring my conversation with one of the most vital figures in contemporary Aikido.

Linda Holiday Sensei is the founder of Aikido of Santa Cruz and the esteemed author of Journey to the Heart of Aikido: The Teachings of Motomichi Anno Sensei.

In addition to being an authentic, accomplished martial artist and writer, Holiday Sensei is a cultural intermediary. Her academic background, which includes a Master’s degree in East Asian Studies from Stanford University, positions her as an exceptionally reliable and significant conduit for understanding / transmitting the teachings of O-Sensei and the many other influential Sensei she’s met along the way.

Her critically acclaimed book is instrumental in articulating the spiritual depth inherent in the art. It vividly describes her personal experience training closely with O-Sensei’s direct students in the mystical Kumano region of Japan, the life and trajectory of her primary teacher, Motomichi Anno Sensei, and important aspects of the founder’s path, ultimately inviting the reader into a deep study of Aikido as O-Sensei originally articulated it.

This monumental work also serves as an act of cultural preservation, faithfully capturing the wisdom of Anno Sensei, one of the last remaining direct students of O Sensei—shining a bright light on the heart of Aikido.

I highly recommend reading it, if you haven’t already. Here’s the link: Journey to the Heart of Aikido

Holiday Sensei’s own work in founding Aikido of Santa Cruz as a non-profit educational organization, her international travels to teach (and learn from) others, and her online misogi sessions (see below), align magnificently with the founder’s aspiration to unite humanity through harmony and build a world family.

I don’t want to give away too many spoilers, because I don’t want you to miss out on listening to the episode with a pair of fresh ears. (Is that even a saying, “fresh ears”?)

But I do want to mention that I’m invigorated and encouraged by our chat and also now very much looking forward to participating in Holiday Sensei’s aforementioned (just one paragraph up) online misogi sessions, which you can join here: Misogi link.

These virtual classes (Mon. and Wed. at 8AM PST) are an open invitation to experience misogi, chinkon kishin, chanting practices, and inspiring discussions drawn from O Sensei’s philosophy.

Hope to see you there.

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