Aikido Of River Valley

Welcome to the River Valley Aikido Club, a not-for-profit club that has been practicing Aikido in Brattleboro, Vermont since 1992. Our club is dedicated to traditional Aikido training with an emphasis on personal development, both spiritual and physical. We invite everyone, regardless of experience level, to visit us and train at their own pace.

Our club is located in a beautifully renovated church not far from Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. We offer affordable membership dues of $35 per month, making Aikido training accessible to all. We train two evenings a week: Monday from 6pm to 7pm and Thursday from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. Our non-seminar Covid protocols include urging all practitioners to be fully vaccinated but not required, optional mask-wearing, open windows, overhead fans, and a high-end Jade medical grade air filter to ensure safe training.

Our Affiliations

The River Valley Aikido Club is a member dojo of the Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU), an international federation of more than 70 dojos. Mitsugi Saotome Shihan, a personal disciple of O-Sensei, is the master instructor for the ASU. The ASU is affiliated with the world Aikido Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. Although we are grateful for our direct affiliations, we share a strong connection and tradition with Aikido dojos everywhere and make a point of honoring and welcoming Aikido practitioners from all organizations.

Don Hebert (Dojo Cho)

Don began his Aikido studies in 1978 at the New Haven Aikikai in New Haven, Connecticut. His early teachers were Bob Barrett, Donald Hailey, Terry Dobson, Ken Nisson and Mitsugi Saotome Shihan. Captivated early on by the depth and beauty of Aikido movement, Don's interest continues to be to explore the many ways that Aikido practice can be personally transformative, in both the physical and inner realms. Integral to his practice is his fundamental belief that he is on the path as a student of Aikido. To this end, he often travels to seminars and other opportunities to further his growth and set an example for his own students. Don has been awarded the rank of Yondan by Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan with the Aikido Schools of Ueshiba.

Don has lived and worked in the Keene-Brattleboro area since 1983. In 2001, he renovated a hundred-year-old church in Brattleboro, Vermont to be his home and the location for the River Valley Aikido club. He has one daughter whose passion is dance.

Children's Classes

We offer children's classes, contact Josh Wolk Sensei at josh@5linesfeldenkrais.com for more information.

Upcoming Events

Please join us in Vermont for our annual winter seminar with Charles Colten Sensei. We will be exploring Musubi, Alignment, and Ukemi while creating friendship and strengthening community. The seminar will take place on January 27-28, 2024. The cost will be on a sliding scale of $20-40 per class. The Dojo will be open for people to stay overnight, please bring bedding. There are shower and laundry facilities. Contact DonHebert@dawningbear.net for more information.

We also host seminars with other Aikido instructors throughout the year. Check our website for upcoming events.