Friday, January 30 thru Sunday February 1, 2026. Three days of intensive training.
Register online Pre-order T-shirt Download Brochure
Pacific Aikido Federation (PAF) is hosting our annual Aikido Winter Retreat. This has been a tradition since 2000. This year we will have the opportunity to train with senior students of Shiohira Sensei, 7th Dan Shihan.
The Winter Retreat will be held in Sonoma County at the CYO Retreat Center near Occidental, CA. The center is located in a coastal forest surrounded by redwoods.
It has a beautiful and spacious lodge with a large training area. Food and sleeping accommodations are provided. This is an opportunity for concentrated Aikido training in a beautiful, natural setting. All Aikido practitioners, regardless of rank or affiliation, are invited to participate.
This year the retreat will be three days of training from Friday to Sunday with 6 aikido classes and four Zazen sessions. Note that the last class on Sunday will end at 12:00. Sleeping cabins and 6 meals, including a vegetarian option, are provided. Directions and the schedule are available below on this page.
Instructors
Shiohira Sensei, 7th Dan Shihan,
is the founder and Chief Instructor of the Pacific Aikido Federation. He has been teaching and training in San Francisco for over 50 years.
He was a live-in student at Hombu dojo and received instruction from O’Sensei and all the leading AikiKai World headquarters instructors there at that time. His aikido is also deeply influenced by his study of Zen.
Sensei’s senior students will be leading the camp this year. They will share with us their years of experience following Sensei’s teachings.
Winter Training
Weather at this time of year is brisk and the training is invigorating. It can also rain heavily, so please bring umbrellas, rain gear, rain boots, flashlights, etc. The temperatures can approach freezing in the evening and still be warm inside. So bring layers of warm clothes as well. Six person dormitory accommodations are available and each participant will bring their own sleeping bag, pillows, blankets, towels, alarm clock, flip flops, earplugs, soap for the laundry, and toiletries in addition to their training gear, including weapons. Parking is limited so please carpool if possible.
Brief Schedule
Check In: Friday 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
First Class:Friday 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Last Class: Sunday 10:00 am - 11:30 pm
Lunch: Sunday 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
T-shirt Information
T-shirts featuring Shiohira Sensei’s calligraphy must be pre-ordered online - TBD.
Address, Registration and Payment information
Address:
CYO Retreat Center, 2136 Bohemian Hwy, Occidental, CA 95465 (Google Map)
Registration:
Please log in if you have the account or create a personal account on PAF web-site before registering for Aikido Winter Retreat and Register online for the Winter Aikido Retreat (button on the top right).
Payment:
$270.00 - before Sunday, January 11, 2026
$320.00 - after Sunday, January 11, 2026
Use one of the following methods, in order of preference:
•Zelle: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
•PayPal: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For more information call Don at (707) 591-1620 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tuesday, January 20, 2026 – Registration closes
 Brochure 2026 | [ ] | 907 kB |