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| Mariposa means Butterfly |
Hello, Aikido of Mariposa is a Martial Arts School established in
2004. We are located in Central California's beautful Sierra foothills, just minutes away from Yosemite National
Park. The chief instructor, Barry Burtt, has been training in Aikido for
16 years and holds the rank of 3rd degree black belt in Yoshinkan Aikido. In addition to Aikido, Sensei Burtt offers
instruction in Shinkendo (Japanese style swordsmanship) and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (Ground Fighting).
Sensei Barry Burtt began his Aikido and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training in 1992, when he joined the Sanbukan
Dojo of his teacher Mits Yamashita (6th degree black belt). Aikido and BJJ are arts that compliment each other quite
well. Sensei Burtt was promoted to Shodan (1st degree black belt) in 1999. In 2001 he and his family moved to
the Central California Sierra Mountain community of Mariposa. Living in Mariposa was perfect except for on thing, no
Aikido or Jiu Jitsu schools to train at. Sensei Burtt did the only logical thing; built and opened his own dojo.
It was hard work. In August of 2004 Aikido of Mariposa was open and accepting students. Sensei Burtt kept up his
personal training the entire time leading up to the dojo opening. He regularly traveled to Sensei Yamashita's dojo
in Southern California to train and also attended Seminars. In 2005 he was tested and promoted to Nidan (2nd degree
black belt).
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| Sensei Mits Yamashits & Barry Burtt |
Shortly after his Nidan promotion, Sensei Burtt also added a weapons element to his training. In
2005 he started training with Sensei James Alvarez of Aikido of Livermore in Shinkendo; which is a method of Japanese swordsmanship.
He progressed quickly, (because of his years of aikido training), and was granted a teaching licence and now instructs Shinkendo
at his dojo. Sensei Burtt travels weekly to Sensei Alvarez's dojo to train.
in 2007 Sensei Burtt was promoted to the rank of Sandan (3rd degree black belt), by Sensei Yamashita, his training
still continues.
Sensei Burtt believes that a martial arts teacher should always remain a student themselves. The learning
does not stop until we take our last breath. Train hard.
Vacationers to Yosemite National Park who are looking for a place to train are welcome here.
