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Sunday, February 05, 2012 |
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Local Guest Instructors
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George Ledyard, 6th Dan — www.aikieast.com
Ledyard Sensei began his Aikido studies in 1976 under the direct instruction of Mitsugi Saotome Shihan an d has continued this association ever since. He counts Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan, William Gleason Sensei, Mary Heiny Sensei and Tom Read Sensei as strong influences on his Aikido. Ledyard Sensei is known for his work with the staff and sword and also for an innovative approach to applied empty hand technique which brings in elements from his training in Japanese Koryu, Iaido, Filipino martial arts and Systema. In 1989, he founded Aikido Eastside in Bellevue, Washington. |
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Joanne Veneziano, 6th Dan — www.emeraldcityaikido. com
Veneziano Sensei began training in 1976 at the New England Aikikai under the direction of Kanai Sensei. In 1979 she moved to Seattle to continue her study with Mary Heiny Sensei at the Seattle School of Aikido. In 1986 she trained in Fukuoka, Japan under Suganuma Sensei. Her teaching style combines warmth and humor with serious physical practice. Veneziano Sensei takes to heart O'Sensei's teaching and applies the art of peace with joy and vigor.
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Kimberly Richardson, 6th Dan — www.twocranesaikido.com
Richardson Sensei began training with Mary Heiny Sensei in 1978. Kimberly has studied throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and Japan, most notably with Anno Shihan, Saotome Shihan, Ikeda Shihan, Terry Dobson and Tom Read Senseis. Richardson Sensei has acted as chief instructor at the Apple Computer Aikido School in Cupertino, CA and at Seattle School of Aikido from 1991 to 1995. She is also an adjunct faculty member at Antioch University where she offers “Aikido as Martial Art and Spiritual Practice”. In 1995, she founded Two Cranes Aikido in Seattle. |
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Lee Crawford, 5th Dan — www.aikidonorthshore. com
Crawford Sensei began her Aikido training in 1980 under the direction of Akira Tohei Shihan at the University of Wisconsin Aikido Club. After relocating to Seattle in 1988 she became the Assistant Chief Instructor at Aikido Eastside in Bellevue, WA., and in 1995 opened Aikido Northshore. She has trained extensively under the direct instruction of Mitsugi Saotome Shihan and Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan. Crawford Sensei also includes John Stone Sensei, Robin Cooper Sensei, George Ledyard Sensei, Raso Hultgren Sensei, Kevin Choate Sensei and Patty Saotome Sensei as having strong influences on her Aikido.
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Malory Graham, 5th Dan, Shidoin — www.pugetsoundaikikai.org
Graham Sensei started training in Aikido in 1988 with Paul Sylvain Sensei in Amherst, Massachusetts. She continued her early training in both Seattle and Switzerland. In 1997 she became a USAF certified instructor and helped to found Puget Sound Aikikai. She received her 5th Dan from Yamada Shihan in 2008 and currently serves on the national USAF Board of Directors. She is also a filmmaker, specialized in making educational documentaries as well as numerous Aikido productions. In 2004 she produced “Holding up Half the Sky: A video portrait of women aikido instructors”, which features 10 of the top pioneering women from the USAF.
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