Sensei is amazing! She is really kind to the kids and my son can't wait to go to her weekly classes!!! She is patient and always teaches the kids about being thankful. Amazing experience here. read more

After witnessing how incredibly supportive aikido was for my mental health, I visited dojos all over the East Bay to find one that felt like home. I've been at Aikido of Berkeley for three years now, finding just what I needed. Kayla Feder Sensei is a master teacher - inviting me to practice with precision while being warm and humble. A rare combination in martial arts! Also unique about this dojo is how much the students show up for one another outside of aikido - celebrating, collaborating creatively, helping each other move, even watching my cat! I feel very, very grateful to have this spiritual community. read more

Aikido Of Berkeley has great Zoom classes going on right now. Call 510 776 4700 to sign up. Private on line classes also being offered. read more

I've been training here for more than 4 years, while my daughter started to train two years ago, at the age of 6. I can say without any doubt that this is our second family. Kayla Feder Sensei has created a supportive and inclusive community, and is a great and inspiring instructor. Aikido is the best gift you can give to yourself! read more

It seems like a lifetime ago that aikido preserved my sanity during my last 2 years of grad school (dissertation writing). When I relocated in the area I tried 2-3 dojos and couldn't find the right fit. And so I dropped it. Fast forward many years later and I enrolled my 6 yo here. I thought it was hard enough to teach this to adults. But to a bunch of kids who frankly need to keep moving around and can't pay attention any longer than 5 minutes at a time? She has the perfect blend of openness to meet every child at his or her level and also teaching the numerous aspects of aikido- the physical techniques, the underlying philosophy, mindfulness, respect for the teacher's authority (handy). Kayla Sensei has a black belt is in aikido to be sure. But also in creating a kid friendly dojo. You could do a lot worse going elsewhere. read more

I highly recommend Aikido of Berkeley. My son started training when he was in kindergarten and has grown so much in his practice here over the last two years. He has developed self confidence, physical dexterity, calm and conflict management skills. Sensei Kayla is a master teacher; truly gifted in her practice and her ability to work with the children. But we also love the other teachers at the studio; it's a warm and friendly community. My son and I enjoy practicing together in a family class on Saturdays as well; it's not often when the two of us can learn something new together. read more

Our daughter recently joined Aikido of Berkeley. She was welcomed into classes and given an opportunity to try two levels to see where she felt more comfortable. Sensei Kayla sets clear expectations for class (which almost always run over) and behavior. She usually has two senior practitioners (who may have a title I do not know, Sorry!) who circulate and help with training. Our daughter came to this dojo loving aikido and is more enthusiastic than before. She feels strong, capable, and eager to go to class. She has remarked that she likes how the class is taught because she understands what she's done correctly, incorrectly, and how to adjust her movements to do them right. Sensei Kayla has created a welcoming, warm, and enthusiastic community of aikido practitioners. read more

Sense Kayla and her team have, through patience and nurture, instilled in our daughter focus, respect and confidence. In addition, in the year we've attended classes at Aikido of Berkeley, she's grown stronger and more agile. We happily recommend Aikido of Berkeley as place to bring your child to develop and grow. read more

We found this place because our son was looking for something just like this. He is gentle and kind and finding Aikido or Art of Peace as it is called was just the perfect martial arts for him. He has been taking classes at Aikido of Berkeley for the past 2 yrs and our 6 yr old daughter just started a few month ago. We love this place and Sensei Kayla Federer is fantastic. She had great energy and knows exactly how to keep the kids engaged. The train seriously and also have serious fun with games they get to play at the end of each class. She usually has couple of other people helping her during the class and they all are very good as well. They work with the kids in a group of ones and twos and help them in areas they need help in. This place has wonderful energy and I highly recommend it. It teaches kids discipline and gives them a quiet confidence. read more

I have been training at this dojo for the past seven years or so, and it's been a great experience. The community is very supportive, and it's easy to be as engaged as you like- you can go as little as once a week, or as much as every single day (retreats and special events notwithstanding). It's great exercise, and good for kids, both socially and due to convenient scheduling. Kayla Sensei is a great teacher, although there are lots of other fun instructors who teach every week as well. read more

I love Aikido of Berkeley! I started training there with zero Aikido experince and found a truly supportive and welcoming community. Kayla Sensei is a wonderful teacher and the classes at Aikido of Berkeley are really fun. No matter what your experince level is and if you are looking for a place to train check it out! read more

Sensei is really a master teacher and my kids have had an amazing time here. I really enjoy watching the games and techniques they do and recommend here for you or your kids. read more

Having trained for many years in Santa Cruz I never thought I would find an aikido community to replace what I had at North Bay Aikido. But Kayla Feder Sensei, and by extension the people that she has attracted around her at Aikido of Berkeley, has set a new standard in my book. I find the clean and precise Iwama tradition that she teaches to be a very grounding influence on my training. At the same time she is not afraid to reach beyond the martial applications of the art into the viscera of aikido's deeper relevance--to personal development and the full range of human relationships. As one visiting sensei recently said to me, "of all the teachers I have met Kayla (Sensei) is the one teaching with the most heart." I couldn't say it better myself. read more

I really like this dojo...it has a homelike environment and the people are very friendly highly recommend coming here.

I would give them 5 stars but I did not stay long. I will say that our experience with Aikido of Berkeley was completely positive. Many marital arts studios are evasive about prices- not these people. They are upfront and honest and very easy to deal with both as such and relative to martial arts studios as a whole- we have been to four or five studios since my son started doing martial arts two and a half years ago. Joe is a good teacher as is his assisstant Tyle. Kayla Sensei is very helpful and doesn't just seem to expect to be respected (justifiably) but also is very polite and respectful when you try to deal with her. I was very happy with our experience here. The curriculum is very accessible for children. Great School. (we left because my son insisted we do kung fu so we are currently looking for a good kung fu school) read more

I feel truly lucky to have found this place for my children. My 12-year-old son has started training last Summer and has been coming regularly for almost a year. He has become more flexible, confident and aware. Having studied/practiced qi energy development for the past 15 years, I feel this place is really really good. I am impressed with the level of instruction, the feeling of safety, how each child is met where they are and assisted in their development. In fact, I'm so excited about this place that I have just signed my 5-year-old daughter for the Junior Class. She is there to develop aikido skills, but also to become more assertive, to learn about energy, to develop a sense of personal space, her awareness and her skill in relating to others in any circumstance. Sensei Kyla has created a very safe space to study aikido, and I recommend this place to many of my friends. Now I am just waiting for a good moment to take some classes myself. read more

I started at Aikido of Berkeley as a complete beginner. I have very much enjoyed my experience at Aikido of Berkeley. Sensei is a patient and encouraging teacher; the uchi-deshi (live-in students) are welcoming and helpful; the classes are engaging and I always make small improvements. The dojo has a strong sense of community and I definitely recommend it. read more

I have such respect for the teacher here. She's awesome with kids. I love training there

Aikido of Berkeley is an amazing place to study and practice. I have a deep respect for Kayla Sensei as a teacher, martial artist and as a community leader. At her dojo, children are honored and engaged to develop focus, respect and a sense of community while practicing the powerful and centering techniques of Aikido. Among the adults the practice is intense and the subtlety and strength of this form of martial arts are pursued with energy and mastery. In both adult and youth practice I have felt a generous, welcoming sense of community. Aikido is a terrific way to strengthen mind, body and spirit. If you want to study Aikido or find a place for a young person to explore martial arts, I strongly recommend Aikido of Berkeley. read more

I have been a student at Aikido of Berkeley for a year now, and I couldn't be happier with this dojo! We have a wonderful, roomy space that allows large groups of people to train comfortably, and also large groups of welcoming and enthusiastic people with which to train! Kayla Feder Sensei is a highly skilled teacher who makes the learning of Aikido a pleasure as well as a challenge! We have several other visiting sensei and higher-level teachers who train and lead classes regularly, and they all have something different to offer in terms of technique and approach. There are also terrific classes for kids! In short, Aikido of Berkeley is a great place to learn and practice Aikido! read more

I am so grateful to have found Kayla Sensei's dojo as she provides a non-judgemental atmosphere in which to train and learn aikido and she has an unrelenting interest in understanding all aspects of O'Sensei's teachings. To that end she has brought in a diverse array of guest instructors who have imparted essential teachings of aikido to us, giving us a taste of our aikido founder's desire that aikido be a teaching of peace and harmony and not merely mechanical techniques. At the same time, I really enjoy the physical workout I get every time I train. My health and physical stamina have improved tremendously since I first began studying with her almost 8 years ago. The dojo itself has a deeply peaceful atmosphere while the members themselves have become like brothers and sisters to me....the mutual support is tremendous. This is a great place to practice aikido. read more

I've been training at Aikido of Berkeley for five years and absolutely love it. The dojo is formal yet has a friendly vibe where students of all ages and diverse backgrounds are welcome. Chief instructor, Kayla Feder Sensei, is an exceptional martial artist and teacher with over 40 years Aikido experience and it shows. Her classes are always inspiring, fun, and invigorating. Sensei emphasizes exactness of techniques, principles, martial awareness, and traditional Japanese etiquette. She generously gives her time, energy and attention to helping each and every student progress in the art. Her joyful spirt is infectious and sets a positive tone for everyone. The other teachers are exceptional in their own right and offer unique perspectives on Aikido. There is a strong uchi-deshi program and outstanding kids classes are taught by Sensei as well. I have made many new fiends since becoming a member and my Aikido practice has improved greatly. I feel very fortunate to be part of this warm and dedicated Aikido community! read more

I train regularly at AiBerk and have for over a year. I've had a tremendous time there, learning an incredible amount about Aikido as well as life. I've made friends and had life changing experiences. I've improved as a person under Kayla Feder and the other teachers there. I'd recommend it to anyone and everyone. It's a friendly, clean, fun place to learn aikido as a martial art and as a way of life. read more