Dojo Community
Our members are diverse, mature, and loving. We welcome everyone regardless of background or beliefs, from athlete to artist, warrior to nerd.
Our children's classes include a nice mix of public, private, charter, and home school students.

Sensei Stephen Steger
Senior Instructor, 6th-degree black belt
Stephen started his Aikido journey in 1983 at the age of 20. By 1986 he was a full time apprentice and instructor under John Smartt in Stockton, California. In 1990 Sensei
Steger opened his first dojo in Modesto, California where he lead hundreds of men, women, and children along the path from white to black belt. Sensei Stephen teaches the Youth, Adult Advanced, and Saturday Basic Classes.
Stephen and his wife Maureen started Full Circle Aikido in January 2000, and opened their Grover Beach dojo in 2005.
Sensei Teresa Mitchell-Yelland
Certified Instructor, 3rd-degree black belt
Teresa began her aikido training in 2007 and became an apprentice instructor under Sensei Steger a year latter. Sensei Teresa is a full-time certified instructor who teaches the Pre-Junior, Junior, Adult Basic, and Women's Classes.
Sensei Ryan Koch
Chief Instructor (North County Club), 4th-degree black belt
Links
I have watched my children flourish under the guidance of Sensei Steger and his Aikido program. Their confidence is vastly improved, both in their physical skills and in their personalities and personal strength. The difference in them is truly remarkable, and in ways that will benefit them now, and for a lifetime.
--- Lynda F.
Sensei Steger has been a guide thru my processes and has helped me to progress in quantum leaps always providing the safest and most secure environment. It is not easy coming from an abusive background, kidnapped, raped and struggling. Aikido set me free.
--- Shammy B.
I never thought I would study Marital Arts. My background is in theater,
poetry, and literature. I
am learning, on both a physical and a spiritual level, concepts and
techniques to live fully in this life, to take chances, to stay with
myself even in the midst of fear, sadness and anger. Sensei Steger as teacher
takes the lead in this work, creating a place of safety and challenge
where the whole of you can be received, where you can look at what is
holding you back and transform fear and chaos into strength, harmony and
love.
--- Rebecca M.
Our son has flourished under the mentorship and training of Sensei Teresa. He has been taking lessons faithfully for two years now, attending twice per week. He has always been very tall for his age (we call him our gentle giant) and Aikido has allowed him to develop confidence in his ability to move skillfully and agilely within his frame. Her lessons not only assist the children with learning skills surrounding non-aggressive self-defense but also include additional concepts with regard to other aspects of their lives such as being responsible, being kind, respecting elders. Our son looks forward to each and every lesson and we feel very blessed to have found Full Circle Aikido.
--- Brent & Bronwyn K.
Your classes taught me a lot more than I thought, more than just taking a fall or defending myself against violence, it gave me a self-esteem I needed to find. I’ve been promoted twice at work and I have accomplished things there that have never been completed before. Sensei, I am truly grateful. Once again, thank you for showing me how to unlock the door.
--- Michael B.
My son has been learning from Sensei Teresa for over 3 years and has shown enormous growth in both Aikido skills and general life lessons. He is more confident, strong, respectful and independent from his time spent in classes. He has learned how to take his physical strength (he's a bit of a beast) and use it in a gentle kind way. I have loved watching him grow from her steady encouragement, correction and guidance.
--- Jen B.