About
Aikido Silicon Valley offers training in Aikido, including self-defense and weapons training with a wooden sword (bokken) and staff (jo). The program includes a free 3 day trial that introduces Aikido fundamentals with individualized training at the Aikido Silicon Valley dojo.
• Ages: 6–18 years old
• Schedule: For adults, trial classes are recommended on Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday; new youth students may attend any evening class for trial classes.
• Price: Free 3 day trial.
Aikido Silicon Valley has been located in Sunnyvale, CA since 1998 and operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The dojo is a member of the Takemusu Aikido Association and has an affiliated dojo, Aikido By The Bay in San Mateo. Visitors are welcome to observe a class, and the dojo offers a rare chance to train with a shihan in a great Iwama-style dojo.
Bill Witt Shihan, who began training in 1967 in Tokyo, teaches two classes a week at Aikido Silicon Valley. He holds the rank of 8th Dan, which is the highest rank awarded by the Aikikai Foundation, and at the time of his promotion there had been only about 100 people in the world promoted to this rank.
The dojo’s stated mission is that effective self-defense does not have to be violent and destructive, and that the dynamics of Aikido allow for a hard or soft response to aggression with the calmness of mind to choose appropriately. The mission further explains that principles of harmony, blending with adversity, and leading a conflict to a positive resolution apply to both physical conflict and daily life, and that the spirit cultivated is one of morality, benevolence, empathy, sincerity, and the spirit of budo.
Parent and student comments describe the dojo as welcoming, with master teachers and supportive senior students, and mention it as a great place for kids to learn discipline, patience with newcomers, and persistence. Other testimonials describe the instructors as incredibly patient with children, and refer to Aikido Silicon Valley as an excellent program with wonderful teachers, a great place to learn Aikido, very helpful and friendly, and a rare chance to train with a shihan in a great Iwama-style dojo.
Last updated March 23, 2026.
• Ages: 6–18 years old
• Schedule: For adults, trial classes are recommended on Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday; new youth students may attend any evening class for trial classes.
• Price: Free 3 day trial.
Aikido Silicon Valley has been located in Sunnyvale, CA since 1998 and operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The dojo is a member of the Takemusu Aikido Association and has an affiliated dojo, Aikido By The Bay in San Mateo. Visitors are welcome to observe a class, and the dojo offers a rare chance to train with a shihan in a great Iwama-style dojo.
Bill Witt Shihan, who began training in 1967 in Tokyo, teaches two classes a week at Aikido Silicon Valley. He holds the rank of 8th Dan, which is the highest rank awarded by the Aikikai Foundation, and at the time of his promotion there had been only about 100 people in the world promoted to this rank.
The dojo’s stated mission is that effective self-defense does not have to be violent and destructive, and that the dynamics of Aikido allow for a hard or soft response to aggression with the calmness of mind to choose appropriately. The mission further explains that principles of harmony, blending with adversity, and leading a conflict to a positive resolution apply to both physical conflict and daily life, and that the spirit cultivated is one of morality, benevolence, empathy, sincerity, and the spirit of budo.
Parent and student comments describe the dojo as welcoming, with master teachers and supportive senior students, and mention it as a great place for kids to learn discipline, patience with newcomers, and persistence. Other testimonials describe the instructors as incredibly patient with children, and refer to Aikido Silicon Valley as an excellent program with wonderful teachers, a great place to learn Aikido, very helpful and friendly, and a rare chance to train with a shihan in a great Iwama-style dojo.
Last updated March 23, 2026.
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