Mary Celine Brigham

Mary is an absolutely wonderful person who drives 50 minutes each way to train in Grass Valley at Aikido’Ka.

Here’s why:

We’re told all the time that the community at Aikido’Ka is like a fun family — accepting, kind and supportive. And tons of fun. That marvelous, welcoming feeling people get from training here stems from our diligent attention to treating everyone with the utmost respect. I don’t mean a stuffy kind of respect. I mean a truly supportive, embracing learning from our mistakes, relationship.

The real value in martial arts training is not from knowing how to fend off an attacker — traditional self-defense. The real value in practicing aikido with us is that we learn how to treat people in ways that improve our relationships day-to-day. Yes, you want to know how to defend yourself. And, you’ll learn that at Aikido’Ka. While a violent attack really may happen, it’s unlikely. But you will interact with people every, single day. And every day you will use the relationship skills you learn training here.

Oh, and it’s fun! Just ask Mary.