William Smythe Sensei, 4th Dan began his Aikido training in 1978 with Robert Nadeau Shihan inthe San Francisco Bay Area. In 1986, while living in Lake Tahoe, CA, he began his studies with Wolfgang Baumgartner Sensei and has continued to embrace Wolfgang as his Sensei. Bill Sensei assisted Baumgartner Sensei in opening the Santa Fe Aikido Arts Center in 2004. A strong influence in Bill Senseis expression of Aikido is from his studying with Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan in New York City from 1987-1991 who said, “In short, Aikido is good for your body, your mind and your heart. And it’s fun.” Bill Sensei is the head instructor of the Aikido Arts Center and blends his martial arts skills with his healing arts skills, having been a Rolfing® practitioner and teacher for over 32 years and with a Masters Degree in Somatic Psychology. His greatest passion in teaching Aikido is to further the development of the whole person through learning to respond flexibly and gracefully with the pressures and conflicts of everyday life.


Pascal Fromentin, 4th dan Dan has studied Aikido for 35 years under several Shihans. Since joining the Aikido Arts Center he has dedicated himself to the study and transmission of the teachings that Saito Sensei left as a legacy. Pascal teaches morning Aikido classes as well as kids classes with Aiki games that use children's spontaneity. Pascal is also an adept of Ju-Jitsu, and a licenced Massage Therapist.