February 14th - 16th (Friday - Sunday), 2020.
Presidents day Weekend 3 days of intensive training.
Register online Pre-order T-shirt Download Brochure
Pacific Aikido Federation (PAF) is hosting the twenty first annual Aikido Winter Retreat. This year we again have the opportunity to train with Shiohira Sensei, 7th Dan Shihan.
The Winter Retreat will be held in Sonoma County at the CYO Retreat Center near Occidental, CA. The center is located in a coastal forest surrounded by redwoods. It has a beautiful and spacious lodge with a large training area. Food and sleeping accommodations are provided. This is an opportunity for concentrated Aikido training in a beautiful, natural setting. All Aikido practitioners, regardless of rank or affiliation, are invited to participate.
This year the retreat will be three days of training from Friday to Sunday with 7 aikido classes.
Note that the last class on Sunday will end at 3:00. Sleeping cabins and 6 meals, including a vegetarian option, are provided. Directions and the schedule are available below on this page.
Instructor
Shiohira Sensei, 7th Dan Shihan
Began training in Japan over 50 years ago at Waseda University. He was a live-in student at Hombu dojo for one year and studied under Kisshomaru Ueshiba Sensei and all the leading AikiKai World headquarters instructors there at that time.
His aikido is also deeply influenced by his study of Zen. He has been teaching Aikido for over 45 years in northern California and is founder and Chief Instructor of the Pacific Aikido Federation.
Shiohira Sensei has been training and teaching Aikido as THE WAY. Several of his students have become Aikido Masters (Shihan) or Zen Masters, and several more advanced ones just continue training. He wants to maintain a dojo where one can be free from distractions, to see things as they truly are and live a fulfilled life.
Winter Training
Weather at this time of year is brisk and the training is invigorating. It can also rain heavily, so please bring umbrellas, rain gear, rain boots, flashlights, etc. The temperatures can approach freezing in the evening and still be warm inside. So bring layers of warm clothes as well. Six person dormitory accommodations are available and each participant will bring their own sleeping bag, pillows, blankets, towels, alarm clock, flip flops, earplugs, soap for the laundry, and toiletries in addition to their training gear, including weapons.
Brief Schedule
Check In : Friday 1:30 - 3:30
First Class: Friday 3:30 - 4:30
First Sit : Friday 4:45 - 5:30
Dinner : Friday 6:15 - 7:00
Last Meal : Sunday 12:00
Last Class: Sunday 1:30 - 3:00
T-shirt Information
T-shirts featuring Shiohira Sensei’s calligraphy can be pre-ordered online.
T-shirts must be order before Monday, January 20 2020.
T-shirts are $20 each. Payment is accepted online via PayPal (to Mahika Rangnekar at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.),
by check (made out to Mahika Rangnekar), or by cash.
Questions: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Address, Registration and Payment information
Address: CYO Retreat Center, 2136 Bohemian Hwy, Occidental, CA 95465 (Google Map)
Registration:
Please log in if you have the account or create a personal account on PAF web-site before registering for Aikido Winter Retreat.
You can also fill in the registration form without creating account.
Register online. To complete the registration, please print out a confirmation email, sign printed copy and mail it along with a check payable to Don Stratton. Mail address:
Winter Retreat
c/o Don Stratton
508 Lohrman Lane
Petaluma, CA 94952
Payment:
$350.00 - before Sunday, January 26, 2020
$400.00 - after Sunday, January 26, 2020
Make checks payable to Don Stratton
Wednesday, February 5, 2020 – Registration closes
Notes:
After you registered online, payment and printed email with signed Release of Liability must be sent to the camp director by the address above.
Attendance for all three days is encouraged, but if that is not possible, contact Don for daily rates.
For more information call Don at (707) 591-1620 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Comments
cheers!
I hope you are healthy and doing well.
I'm just checking in to say hello and it would be great to see everyone at an upcoming event.
I'm still in Los Angeles. Please take care and I hope to see everyone soon if we have a chance.
Scott Butler
(310) 420-0130
P.S. Hi Don! Not certain if you'll receive this message.
All the best!