Linda Holiday QUOTES

Linda Holiday is a distinguished American Aikido teacher, author, and translator, best known for her book Journey to the Heart of Aikido: The Teachings of Motomichi Anno Sensei. With over five decades of dedicated practice, she has played a pivotal role in introducing and nurturing Aikido in the West.​

Holiday began her Aikido journey in 1970 as a freshman at the University of California, Santa Cruz. In 1973, she moved to Japan to immerse herself in intensive training under direct students of Aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba. She was among the first Westerners to live and train in the remote Kumano region, the birthplace of Aikido, where she studied at the Kumano Juku Dojo. During this period, she formed a lifelong connection with Motomichi Anno Sensei, serving as his student and interpreter.

Complementing her martial arts training, Holiday pursued academic studies in East Asian cultures. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Japanese and Chinese Studies from UC Santa Cruz in 1979 and a Master’s degree in East Asian Studies from Stanford University in 1983.

In 1982, Holiday founded Aikido of Santa Cruz, a nonprofit educational organization where she continues to teach as the senior instructor. Her teaching emphasizes the integration of physical technique with spiritual development, reflecting the holistic philosophy of Aikido. She has conducted seminars across the United States, Europe, and Africa, promoting Aikido as a path of peace and unity.

Published in 2013, Journey to the Heart of Aikido offers an in-depth look into the teachings of Motomichi Anno Sensei, one of the few remaining direct students of Morihei Ueshiba. The book combines translated discourses, personal anecdotes, and philosophical insights, making Anno Sensei’s teachings accessible to a global audience. It has been praised for its authenticity and depth, serving as a valuable resource for both Aikido practitioners and those interested in martial arts philosophy.