Instructors Santa Rosa Aikikai was founded by Spencer Smith and Danièle Knab. They are both Aikido instructors. They studied Aikido with Shibata Shihan at Berkeley Aikikai. Shibata Shihan, 7th dan, is the chairman of Aikido Dojinkai. He is now the chief instructor at Phoenix Aikikai. He is a direct disciple of Kisshomaru Ueshiba, son of the founder of Aikido, O'Sensei. Spencer Smith and Danièle Knab completed the Kenshusei program* at Berkeley Aikikai. They are Shidoin (certified instructors) of Aikido Dojinkai. Spencer Smith, 4th dan**, has been training in Aikido for 12 years. The entirety of this time was spent at Berkeley Aikikai. Danièle Knab, 4th dan, has been training in Aikido for 25 years, the last 6 years before moving to Santa Rosa being spent at Berkeley Aikikai. She previously trained in France and Japan. * The Kenshusei program is an intensive Aikido training program designed to train instructors. ** Dan is a black belt degree.