INSTRUCTORS

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Aikido Institute's highest-ranked members, Kim Peuser (7th Dan) and Deborah Maizels (6th Dan), trained with Morihiro Saito Sensei in Iwama, Japan, and at his California seminars starting in the 70s and continuing through the 80s and 90s, including a number of classes he taught at our dojo in Oakland. Together with their peers they created a space in the Bay Area for Aikido as taught by Saito Sensei.

Aikido Institute is a non-profit and instructors teach on a volunteer basis. All instructors are 4th Dan and above and have trained extensively in Iwama Aikido. Together, they offer a wealth of knowledge and experience on the mat. More info below.

KIM PEUSER

7th Dan, Shihan, Supervising Instructor

Kim Sensei is our dojo's highest ranking member and serves as its Supervising Instructor. He is a founding member of the Takemusu Aikido Association and serves on its Board of Directors and Ranking Committee, and is also Supervising Instructor for several other dojos.

Kim Sensei began studying Aikido in 1974 at Aikido Institute which was on College Avenue in Oakland at the time. In 1976 he became a live-in student at the dojo, and in 1977 went to Japan for the first time, living at the Iwama Dojo and training under the late Saito Morihiro Shihan who promoted him to Shodan.

He returned to Iwama 4 years later, continuing to study with Saito Sensei while living outside the dojo. He served as Chief Instructor of the Oakland Dojo from 1987 to 1993-ish, and again from 2001 to 2017.

Kim Sensei has taught seminars in California, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, and New York as well as in Italy. In January 2020 Aikido World Headquarters in Tokyo awarded him the title “Shihan”.

Deborah Maizels

6th Dan, Senior Instructor

Deborah Sensei began at the dojo in 1973 at its first location on College Avenue in Oakland. She studied with Bill Witt Sensei in the 70s and trained in Iwama as an uchi deshi and as a soto deshi with Morihiro Saito Shihan in 1980 and 1987.

She has taught at Aikido Institute since 1986.

STEPHEN KILMER

6th Dan, Senior Instructor

Steve Sensei is a Senior Instructor and former Dojo-cho for Aikido Institute (2008 - 2017).

Steve began training at the Aikido Institute in 1981.

DAVE LEWIN

4th Dan, Managing Instructor (Dojo-Cho)

Dave Sensei started in Aikido in 2002 and has studied at the Aikido Institute under Kim Peuser Sensei and others since 2005. He trained as uchi deshi at the dojo for 1.5 years in 2007-8, and began leading classes in 2009.

Dave has traveled to Iwama, Japan to train as uchi deshi at the Founder's dojo under Inagaki Shigemi Shihan in 2015, 2017, and 2019. He also has experience in other martial arts, including BJJ and TKD, as well as internals training with California Sangenkai since 2018.

JOSH LANGENTHAL

4th Dan, Instructor

Josh started training in 1993 at the Aikido Institute. He has studied with Kim Peuser Sensei, Hoa Newens Sensei, and Stephen Kilmer Sensei.

JACOB CLAPSADLE

4th Dan, Instructor

Jacob started training in Aikido in 1999 in the youth class at Mendocino Aikido with Janferie Stone Sensei. He joined Aikido Institute in 2002 and has studied with Kim Peuser and other ever since.

Jacob travelled to Iwama, Japan to train as uchi deshi at the Founder's dojo under Inagaki Shigemi Shihan in 2012 and 2017.