Senshin Center 6396 Hollister Avenue, Goleta, CA 93117

"Senshin Center is a place like no other. The dojocho approaches training in a way that reaches each student on a very personal level, with the overall wellbeing of each student considered. My daughter and I have been training here for ten years, and every day we are pushed toward improving our physical, emotional and spiritual selves. We plan to continue training with this teacher for as long as he is teaching."

"Senshin Center is a place of profound transformation. Valadez Sensei, the dojocho of Senshin Center, has decades of experience with martial arts and with walking the spiritual path that winds its way through his art. He teaches his deshi ways of self-transformation by using Aikido training. Because of his dedication to his art and to his deshi, training as a student at Senshin Center is not easy but always fruitful."

"Senshin Center is a unique martial arts school for whoever wants to sincerely learn. It is a dojo which stands in contrast to the general dojo’s one is typically familiar with. Valadez Sensei is an exceptional teacher who lives, trains and works hard. He is a living example of someone who has brought Budo into every aspect of his his life. Valadez Sensei transmits Japanese jiu jitzu in many forms. From slow technical drilling to jiyu waza (spontaneous training), from weapons to ground fighting. The curriculum is all encompassing. There is no other place quite like it. I highly recommend to he/she who is searching for something of great worth. Do not recommend for those interested in belts and trophy’s or for those seeking a hobby."

"Senshin Center is a rare and special place. Don’t let the So Cal strip mall location fool you: once you walk through the door, you are entering into the culture of traditional budo martial arts training. If you look on the Senshin Center website, you will see descriptions of the vast expanse of curriculum offered here: you will notice there are classes in weapons training (both ancient and modern weapons), ground fighting, body conditioning, strength training, stretching and flexibility, meditation, techniques, and spontaneous training. Students are encouraged and expected to take advantage of the full curriculum offered and to train as much as possible. The training at Senshin Center is serious work and means taking on the full commitment of an authentic, traditional teacher-student relationship. That commitment is similar to entering into a Graduate Program. You should not train here as a lark or as a hobby. It is an elite, athletic program. However, you do not need to be an elite athlete in order to begin. You will be patiently taught and shown what you need to do every step of the way. The work is hard, and there are no short-cuts, but if you’re willing to have a real teacher and to do what it takes to do the work, you will get where you want to go. Valadez Sensei is a world-class athlete, historian, philosopher, religious studies scholar, master logician, brilliant author, captivating speaker, honored law enforcement officer, and a compassionate, dedicated father and teacher. But, you would never know these things when you meet him, because of his humility, graciousness, and willingness to serve and to help others. Valadez Sensei teaches his students from his expansive knowledge and experience. Anytime, Valadez Sensei can turn a class on a dime from intensive, demanding physical work, to a spontaneous symposium on history and philosophy, or just as easily, nutrition and sleep, or a break-down of the physics that make up the martial viability of any particular movement. As you can see from his Facebook posts of YouTube videos he makes from just some of his daily training, Valadez Sensei isn’t one of those instructors who might coast on things like reputation and age; instead, he continues to train harder than anyone else. He is an example and role model for all his students in every way."

"Valadez Sensei is a masterful martial artist and teacher. The Dojo's curriculum leaves nothing off the table, and Sensei's mentoring is deeply personal and uniquely transformative. Valadez Sensei is sincere in his pursuit of the highest ideals of Aikido and these high standards create an environment where elite practitioners can thrive. Budoka looking for a traditional dojo that still places a premium on authenticity, rigorous training, and the sensei-deshi relationship should look no further."