About
Greenwood Aikido offers training in Aikido and Iaido, along with instruction that draws on Okinawan Kempo Karate, Judo, Jiu Jitsu, Taekwondo, and Hapkido. Aikido at this program is a martial art that focuses on safely controlling and redirecting conflict, with no competition. The stated purpose of Aikido in this setting is not to fight, but to develop inner strength and harmony and create unity and mutual benefit, with training that can be vigorous and conducted in a spirit of respect and mutual benefit.
Greenwood Aikido provides a beautiful, welcoming place to learn and grow. The program’s mission states that training can be vigorous, but always in the spirit of respect and mutual benefit. Aikido taught here is in the tradition of Shoji Nishio.
The lead instructor, Philip Greenwood, is an expert in the art of Aikido and Iaido and holds a 6th degree black belt in Aikido and a 5th degree black belt in Iaido under Koji Yoshida Shihan in Toyama, Japan. He is President of Nishikaze Aikido Society of America, the official organization of Nishio Aikido in the U.S., and has taught seminars in Japan, Europe, and the United States. He has more than 45 years in Aikido and has also studied Okinawan Kempo Karate, Judo, and Jiu Jitsu, and he has been a practicing Doctor of Chiropractic for over 30 years in Temecula. Heather Greenwood holds a 3rd degree black belt in Aikido and a 3rd degree black belt in Iaido. Will Sandoval holds the rank of 2nd degree black belt in Aikido and 2nd degree black belt in Iaido. Michael Jacob holds the rank of 2nd degree black belt in Aikido and 2nd degree black belt in Iaido.
Greenwood Aikido is affiliated with Nishikaze Aikido Society of America and Aikikai Foundation in Tokyo, Japan. All student and instructor ranking at Greenwood Aikido is accredited through the Aikido world headquarters (Aikikai Foundation), Tokyo.
One testimonial describes training in Aikido at this dojo as a way the student learned to stay fully present, calm the mind, and connect with the body, and says that principles of centeredness, balance, and fluid movement carried over into work with horses. Another testimonial states that after a couple of years as a student, the person found Sensei Greenwood’s instruction exceptional and appreciated how he connects Aikido and Iaido with other martial arts such as Judo, Jiu Jitsu, and Karate, and mentions traveling as a group to Japan, the origin country of Aikido. A third testimonial from a student who started as a black belt (Shodan) says the dojo feels like family, describes the instructors as professional and friendly, and notes that Greenwood Sensei explains the reasons behind Aikido techniques. A fourth testimonial contrasts fears of a harsh dojo with the experience at Greenwood Aikido, and describes Greenwood Sensei and Heather Sensei as welcoming, kind, knowledgeable, disciplined, and intentional, and says they share both martial arts techniques and aspects of Japanese culture while building a community based on respect, kindness, discipline, and mutual support.
Last updated June 22, 2026.
Greenwood Aikido provides a beautiful, welcoming place to learn and grow. The program’s mission states that training can be vigorous, but always in the spirit of respect and mutual benefit. Aikido taught here is in the tradition of Shoji Nishio.
The lead instructor, Philip Greenwood, is an expert in the art of Aikido and Iaido and holds a 6th degree black belt in Aikido and a 5th degree black belt in Iaido under Koji Yoshida Shihan in Toyama, Japan. He is President of Nishikaze Aikido Society of America, the official organization of Nishio Aikido in the U.S., and has taught seminars in Japan, Europe, and the United States. He has more than 45 years in Aikido and has also studied Okinawan Kempo Karate, Judo, and Jiu Jitsu, and he has been a practicing Doctor of Chiropractic for over 30 years in Temecula. Heather Greenwood holds a 3rd degree black belt in Aikido and a 3rd degree black belt in Iaido. Will Sandoval holds the rank of 2nd degree black belt in Aikido and 2nd degree black belt in Iaido. Michael Jacob holds the rank of 2nd degree black belt in Aikido and 2nd degree black belt in Iaido.
Greenwood Aikido is affiliated with Nishikaze Aikido Society of America and Aikikai Foundation in Tokyo, Japan. All student and instructor ranking at Greenwood Aikido is accredited through the Aikido world headquarters (Aikikai Foundation), Tokyo.
One testimonial describes training in Aikido at this dojo as a way the student learned to stay fully present, calm the mind, and connect with the body, and says that principles of centeredness, balance, and fluid movement carried over into work with horses. Another testimonial states that after a couple of years as a student, the person found Sensei Greenwood’s instruction exceptional and appreciated how he connects Aikido and Iaido with other martial arts such as Judo, Jiu Jitsu, and Karate, and mentions traveling as a group to Japan, the origin country of Aikido. A third testimonial from a student who started as a black belt (Shodan) says the dojo feels like family, describes the instructors as professional and friendly, and notes that Greenwood Sensei explains the reasons behind Aikido techniques. A fourth testimonial contrasts fears of a harsh dojo with the experience at Greenwood Aikido, and describes Greenwood Sensei and Heather Sensei as welcoming, kind, knowledgeable, disciplined, and intentional, and says they share both martial arts techniques and aspects of Japanese culture while building a community based on respect, kindness, discipline, and mutual support.
Last updated June 22, 2026.
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