Godan (5th Degree Black Belt), Shidoin
Heidi began Aikido in 1993 with Arnie Dinowitz Sensei and Liz Dinowitz Sensei at Monadnock Aikikai, in Keene, NH. She became soto-deshi to Benjamin Pincus Sensei in 1997 when Aikido of Champlain Valley opened at its original location in Winooski, VT. Heidi and Benjamin were married in 2000.

In 2007 Heidi graduated from the Aikido of Champlain Valley soto-deshi program. Heidi is a member of the ACV Technical Committee and is currently 2nd dan in Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido. In addition to being a mother, she is a biologist, artist and graphic designer.

“Aikido has always been a path of transformation for me, on several levels. One thing becoming a mother has taught me is that nothing ever stays the same. This is also at the heart of Aikido–it is a method to change ourselves in positive ways, to find harmony where there was once conflict. I try to bring joy and my love of Aikido to my teaching, while still keeping a focus on intensive practice.”