Hikari Dojo - About Hikari Dojo

The Instructors

Louis Jumonville Sensei 3/24/59 - Present

Louis Jumonville Sensei 6th Dan Aikikai, Dojo Cho, and Chief Instructor of Hikari Dojo has been training in the martial arts for over 30 years. He has trained extensively in Japan, at the founder’s original dojo under Morihiro Saito Shihan, guardian of the Aiki-Shrine. In 1991, at the founder’s dojo in Iwama, Morihiro Saito presented Jumonville Sensei with the 3rd and 4th level Aiki-Ken and Aiki-Jo Transmission Scrolls authorizing him to teach the Aiki-staff and Aiki-sword.

Jumonville Sensei has spent a total of 6½ years continuously being a live-in student, first to Morihiro Saito Shihan for 1½ years, and immediately following that with 5 years at Aikido of San Leandro Dojo, under Pat Hendricks Sensei.

Jumonville Sensei has been teaching Aikido since 1989. Jumonville Sensei also teaches yoga and meditation in the tradition of Kundalini Maha Yoga and has completed Sri Anandi Ma’s advanced Vajra Panjar teachings of pranyama, mantra austerities, fire ceremony and meditation.

Jumonville Sensei holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.

Carla Jumonville

Carla Jumonville 3rd Dan Aikikai, Senior Instructor of Hikari Dojo has been training in Aikido since 1992. After receiving the rank of Shodan under Pat Hendricks Sensei in 1998 at Aikido of San Leandro, she began assisting and teaching at the Pleasant Hill Adult Education Center, and also has taught classes through the Pleasant Hill Recreation and Park Center. In 2002, Carla co-founded Hikari Dojo.

She has trained with many of Northern CA Senior Sensei’s including: Frank Doran Shihan, Robert Nadeau Shihan, and Pat Hendricks Shihan. Training at both Division I gasshukus, and the week long Aikido summer camp, she has worked on refining and broadening her understanding of the principles of Aikido. In 2005, Carla traveled to Japan on pilgrimage to pay homage to the Aiki Shrine and she was also uchi deshi to Hitohiro Saito Sensei at the Tanrenkan Dojo in Iwama, Japan.

Her teaching emphasizes the principle of blending with an opponent and transforming aggression into a harmonious outcome. Focusing on student development and growth in both the principles and techniques of Aikido, Carla’s aim is to empower students to integrate these teachings into a balanced lifestyle of family, friends, community, and the promotion of peace.

Teacher's Lineage

O’Sensei Morihei Ueshiba     12/14/1883 – 4/26/1969

Morihei Ueshiba intensely studied various sword fighting and jujutsu styles. He became famous as a highly skilled martial artist and renown for his strength. He was also a deeply religious person and studied esoteric Buddhism and Japan’s ancient spiritual path of Shinto. In 1919 he started developing The Way of Harmonizing Ki after he had turned toward the spiritual teaching of the Omoto religion. In 1942, in the middle of World War II, O’Sensei named his new martial art AIKIDO. He moved to the small country town of Iwama where he continued to practice, teach, and refine Aikido until he passed away in 1969.

Morihiro Saito Shihan     3/31/1928 – 5/13/2002

9th Dan Aikikai. An Iwama native, Morihiro Saito started training in Aikido in 1946 and became, not only a student, but a close confidant of O-Sensei for 23 years. After the founder’s passing, Morihiro Saito Shihan was put in charge of the Iwama Dojo and became the guardian of the Aiki-Shrine.

Today, he is known for his books, his clear and structured way of teaching, and the organization of the huge number of techniques and preservation of O-Sensei’s empty hands and weapon’s techniques that comprise IWAMA-RYU AIKIDO.

Pat Hendricks Sensei      9/25/1956 – Present

6th Dan Aikikai. In 1975 Pat Hendricks started her Aikido career in Monterey, California. Since 1977 she has traveled frequently to Japan to study as a live-in student under Saito Sensei in Iwama. Her own dojo, Aikido of San Leandro attracts students from all over the world, including Japan. Hendricks Sensei holds the highest degree in Aiki-Ken and Aiki-Jo Certification and is certified to test in the United States. Hendricks Sensei is one of Morihiro Saito Shihan’s top representatives in the world and assisted him in numerous demonstrations and translations around the world and in Japan.

Testing and Promotion

Carla Jumonville testing for sandan.
San Leandro Aikido Division I Training. February 2006.

Testing in the art of Aikido is an opportunity to solidify the techniques and understanding achieved through diligent practice. Testing provides the opportunity for the student to demonstrate his/her achievements and explore hidden dimensions of one’s character and personality under conditions that heighten one’s awareness.

Students are responsible for their own advancement in Aikido. O’Sensei wrote that only a small portion of the “Way” can be taught. The majority needs to be discovered by the student. Therefore: read the test requirements, train after class, and ask for assistance from students who are more senior than you. This is how Aikido has always been transferred.

Prior to a test, the student needs to ask a student who is more senior than him/herself to be “UKE”; a partner and mentor for the test preparation. Sensei will spend extra time and give individual attention to ensure that each student is properly prepared for the privilege of taking a rank examination.

Promotion in the art of Aikido requires understanding of technique, ability to properly execute the techniques, understanding of history and philosophy of Aikido, understanding of dojo etiquette, and understanding of character, before, during, and after training. With rank comes privilege and responsibility.

Testimonials


	"The great universal path of Aiki illuminates all people, opening the world (to the truth)". ~ Morihei Ueshiba 1883-1969

	I find that practicing Aikido is a very satisfying experience despite what stress that may be occurring in my daily life. When I step into the dojo, my stress seems to disappear. When I have finished training, the problems that seemed so large before, now become more manageable. Aikido gives me a level of clarity and a feeling of harmony that is hard to find in other parts of my life. B.T. College Student

	Aikido makes me feel relaxed and tired while training. Some stretching helps me relax my body. Some stretches help me breathe longer. By joining Aikido, I have made new friends of all ages. Aikido helps me to defend myself. Aikido has taught me a lot of things. J.S. Middle School Student

	Aikido has brought me many things - in many aspects. First, and foremost, Aikido brought me to Guido. Or rather, Guido brought me to Aikido. Not quite sure which order, but either way, both are engraved in my heart. Guido brought me to the park :-) This is how my Aikido path started. My first experience was a moon ceremony, in the park. Granted, at first, I didn't buy into the whole ceremonial thing, chanting, etc. But I knew there was something special. VERY special. I knew right then and there, that it was something that I wanted to be a part of... maybe something I had been searching for. I didn't know that part....yet. What I do know, is that Aikido has transformed me. I have always been a good person. I am confident in that. But Aikido, Hikari Dojo, and the family I now have, has made me into the person I am TODAY. I walk with pride. Granted, part of me wants to actually use all of the techniques Sensei has taught, but I know that the goal is to "get out of the way." Sometimes, I actually put myself there. I put myself in the way, on purpose. ." When I get to that point, I stop. Dead in my tracks. I visualize Sensei. And say to myself, "What would Sensei Do?" I re-evaluate. I have to ask myself what I am fighting for, who is creating the fight, and why do I need to be there? Why am I there? Why? Because I most likely put myself there. I can't believe I am admiting this. I fight. I fight and I fight and I fight. There is no winner. There is no loser. At then end, it's just you. You, looking yourself in the mirror. Hikari has helped me to be proud of who I am, when I look in the mirror. Someday, I WILL HAVE MY HAKAMA. I will EARN it. Michaela M. Dimas Executive Assistant

	I have been training at Hikari Dojo for three years and always look forward to the next class! Louis Sensei's teaching style really helps new students to learn the basics of Aikido quickly. Sensei's teaching includes not only the physical martial techniques of Aikido, but also ways of personal growth and well-being. My favorite classes at Hikari Dojo are weapons class in the park on Saturday mornings. It is great to start your weekend with outdoor training using bokken or jo. Everyone in the dojo is very supportive and easy to train with. Beginners are always given a lot of help and good energy at our dojo. For advanced students, it is wonderful to be able to draw on the depth of Sensei's teaching in the Iwama style. When I leave class after free practice, I am usually dripping with sweat and grinning from the fun and intense training. Aikido training is a path that I feel I can walk for the rest of my life, and I am very glad that my first steps on the path have been at Hikari Dojo. Aaron Computer Engineer

	I began training six months ago. At that time I was 59 years old, 70 pounds overweight and your basic sit-at-a-desk person. Now Aikido is firmly a part of my life. The dojo is warm and inviting. Everyone is friendly and helpful, willing to stay after class and help you work on your techniques. Sensei and Carla provide an incredible training environment: Varied instruction methods, attention to detail and encouraging and beneficial words. Since I began training, I have lost 40 pounds, gained strength and confidence and feel like a much younger person. Carla Garrett

	I like Aikido because Sensei explains techniques really well. He also makes them understandable and easy to follow. Sensei always makes sure that the technique is done correctly and that we don't hurt others or ourselves. It is fun as well as good exercise. It is also nice because everyone works together no matter what age. L.W. Middle School Student

	Training at Hikari Dojo has been a very positive experience for me. Sensei emphasizes a great combination of practice in the techniques of Aikido with guidance in the underlying philosophy. Aikido has helped my mental concentration, physical coordination, and improved my tennis game by about 20%. It always amazes me that I am less tired after a class than before it, no matter how hard I train. Mark Investment Portfolio Manager

	I started practicing Aikido over 10 years ago. At that point in time, I was amazed exclusively on its self-defense properties and especially by the fact that small people can, without any muscular effort, make tall, big people fly in the air. Most recently, I started to focus on a different aspect of Aikido that deals with the harmonization of energies. I became more aware of the surrounding energies and how to deal with them in a non-conflictive manner. Aikido has become part of my life and a way of continuous spiritual growth. Through Aikido I found my own center and my connection with the rest of the universe. Aikido changed my life and gave me hope while I was going through tough moments of my personal life. Aikido is a lifetime experience, a path that makes me a better person, a better member of society, and a better professional. It is never too late for change. Guido Gaiteri Attorney at Law

	Going to Aikido has been my sanctuary from my everyday stresses. The camaraderie between the students, the focus that Sensei brings to class, and the positive energy that I feel when I enter the dojo make me temporarily forget how hectic my life can be. Aikido has been teaching me to be calm in spite of the challenges we encounter, in class or outside class. My Aikido family has been a source of support for me. I have been unfortunate during the early part of this year and have been really ill. The care, concern, and understanding from Sensei, Carla and my fellow students have given me a continuous source of inspiration and have been one of my motivations to get well Jem Sebastian-Wortman Senior Business Analyst

	Since I started training in Aikido, I have come to appreciate the value of training. Not merely learning the mechanics of the techniques, but also what I learn about myself and my relationships with others. I have learned to embrace confidence, even in situations where I am uncertain how to act. I have learned that even if the other person is hostile, I have the skill and knowledge to protect myself. I can keep calm, and choose not to meet aggressively, but instead choose to be actively peaceful, instead of passively shrugging off the situation. I have learned that even when I fail, I am not defeated. L. Myke S.

	The Sensei's approach of teaching Aikido, theory, practice, concentration and exercises have helped me to become more flexible and focused. Aikido itself is a great exercise. I look forward to attending each session. I am 67 years old, so I can't do some of the exercises, but I'm getting better. Victor Crowe Revenue Agent