Aikido of Monterey began offering training in August 1973. Danielle Smith Sensei is dojo-cho. (See teachers for more information.) Our Sensei in the first three years was Stan Pranin, the founder and editor of the international newsletter, "Aikido Journal". Stan Pranin is considered by many to be the world's foremost authority with regard to the life of O'Sensei. 

Since our beginning on Prescott Avenue, we have trained in a garage in Monterey, at Monterey Peninsula College, in a Pacific Grove storefront, at the Naval Post Graduate School, a building in Seaside, a remodeled sardine cannery on Cannery Row and a back room in Mariposa Hall, in New Monterey.

Our current location (since 1992), 1251 10th Street, was remodeled in 2003, and is located near the U.S. Naval Post Graduate School at the corner of 10th Street between Sloat and Ocean in Monterey. (See contact for directions.) We offer daily Aikido classes for adults and an outstanding youth program. Students can keep abreast of dojo highlights by way of the circle announcements at the end of each class and the web site's "Catch the Wave," newsletter which is found under the "student resources" tab on this site.

Our 10th Street  location has adopted other disciplines over the years, and is now also known as "One Point Center." Along with a daily Aikido class schedule, One Point Center offers Pilates, Iaido, Yoga, Continuum Movement and Zen meditation. Check www.onepointcenter.com for more information.

Aikido of Monterey is a member of Californial Aikido Association (CAA), division II, headed by Frank Doran Shihan, whose primary dojo, Aikido West, is located in Redwood City. Doran Shihan is also the direct teacher of Danielle Smith Sensei and Dennis Evans Sensei.