Teaching Staff
Valley Aikido’s teaching staff is certified by the United States Aikido Federation and is recognized by Aikido Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.
Larry Levitt Sensei
Chief Instructor Larry Levitt holds the rank of rokudan (6th degree black belt) and was certified as shidoin in 1996.
Levitt Sensei began training in 1980 after Lorraine DiAnne, and the late Paul Sylvain Senseis, returned from Japan to found Amherst Aikikai. Levitt sensei helped Sylvain shihan found Valley Aikido in 1986 and received a teaching license under Sylvain sensei’s direction in 1993.
Julia Freedgood Sensei
Julia Freedgood is Dojo Cho (dojo head) and holds the rank of godan (5th degree black belt). She is a certified shidoin.
Julia Freedgood sensei began training in 1982 at Amherst Aikikai, also under the direction of DiAnne and Sylvain senseis, then as a student of the late M. Kanai sensei, 8th dan shihan, founder of New England Aikikai. She helped found Valley Aikido and married Sylvain sensei in 1987.
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Robert LaPalme
Robert LaPalme directs the children’s program and holds the rank of second degree black belt. He also is a direct student of Sylvain shihan.
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The mind [should be] circular.
The circle symbolizes serenity and perfection,
the source of unlimited techniques.
—Osensei