Chief Instructor, Richard Wagener, has been training since 1972. Wagener Sensei holds a seventh degree black belt and has been appointed Shihan – (holding a Master Instructor’s Certificate from World Headquarters in Japan). Wagener Sensei focuses on strong, clean, centered technique, and stresses the relationship between weapons and empty-hand technique.
Sensei Herve Rouxel, Rokudan, instructs Thursday evening Aikido class. Sensei Rouxel has been training in Aikido since 1979. He holds a sixth degree black belt and has been appointed Shidoin – (holding an Instructor’s Certificate from Aikido World Headquarters in Japan). Sensei Rouxel brings with him a history in martial arts/self defense training including boxing, Goju Ryu Karate, Iaido and Kung Fu (Fu Jow Pai). In addition to his Aikido rank, he also holds a third degree black belt in Iaido (the art of drawing the sword). His training includes training in the Muso Shiden Ryu and Aiki Toho iai (Shoji Nishio).
Sensei Jeff Vernis, Rokudan, teaches the Monday evening classes. Sensei Vernis has been training in aikido since 1990. He holds a sixth degree black belt and has been appointed Shidoin – (holding an Instructor’s Certificate from Aikido World Headquarters in Japan). Sensei Vernis brings with him a history in martial arts/self defense training and is dedicated to promoting the strong, clean, centered technique taught by Sensei Wagener. His classes focus on the aikido principles of blending, entering (flowing with the attack rather than resisting it), breaking balance, using leverage and movement rather than strength and ukemi (the art of falling).