Our Dojo-
Aikido of Fresno was born from Fresno’s first Aikido group that formed sometime in the late 1970’s. Aikido of Fresno became a full time Dojo in Fresno’s Tower district in 1993. Aikido of Fresno made it’s home in the Tower district for over 20 years, teaching hundreds of Fresno residents the art of Aikido. The Dojo moved (July 2014) to its current location a large (3000sqft) warehouse at 3333. W. Sussex Way. Aikido of Fresno is the Central Valley’s largest Aikido school and only full time Aikido Dojo. We teach traditional Aikido forms, as well as a modern practice for Aikido that helps bring Aikido into our current time and culture. We are dedicated to preserving and promoting the art of Aikido.
Chief Instructors:
Christopher Hein Sensei (Dojo Cho)-
Aikido of Fresno’s head instructor is Sensei Christopher Hein. Hein Sensei started training at Aikido of Fresno in 1998, passing his black belt test in 2001 and taking over operation of the school in 2011. A student of several martial arts, Hein Sensei found Aikido to be a martial art that truly inspired him. Hein Sensei has been exploring and developing his Aikido for nearing three decades. Sensei Hein has studied several martial arts systems including traditional martial arts like Aikido as well as modern sport martial arts. He has competed in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Submissions Wrestling, MMA, HEMA and even a full contact stick fight with Southern California’s “Dog Brothers”. His focus is on the “Aiki” ability and practical martial skill tempered by good judgment and understanding.
Joshua Tehee Sensei (Chudan)-
Joshua has been with Aikido of Fresno since Hein took over operations at the Dojo, receiving his Shodan (black belt, provisional instructor license) in 2012 and his Chudan (full teaching license) in 2015. Tehee Sensei is a full time writer for the Fresno Bee, and an avid musician. Tehee sensei teaches many of the classes at Aikido of Fresno, usually offering energetic, high paced training. Tehee Sensei has also trained in self-defense, pistol, sabre and medieval swordsmanship.
Maya Solano-McDaniel Sensei (Shodan)-
Maya Started training in Aikido at 8 years of age. She has trained in several different Dojos over the years, receiving her Shodan (black belt, provisional instructor license) in 2022. Solano-McDaniel Sensei is an analyst for Fresno County and is constantly working on self discovery and self mastery. Sensei Maya’s classes are often a deep dive on the inner workings of the system of Aikido. Sensei Maya has also trained in self-defense, Brazilian Jiu-jiutsu, pistol and sabre.