Instructors

Please see our affiliation page for more information on our organization, Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU).

Chetan Prakash, Ph. D. (Fifth degree black belt ASU) has been practicing Aikido since 1983. His direct teachers are Saotome Sensei and Ikeda Sensei (pictured with Prakash Sensei on the right).

Prakash Sensei holds a Ph. D. in Applied Mathematics from Cornell University (1982) and is Professor of Mathematics and Aikido Instructor at the California State University, San Bernardino, where he is also Director of the Center for Scholarship in Spirituality and a past-President of the Asian Faculty Staff and Student Association. He is President of the Board of the Yeru Bön Center, established in Los Angeles by Nyima Dakpa Rinpoche to preserve and disseminate ancient Tibetan traditions in the West.

Luis Escamilla (Third degree black belt, ASU) tested for shodan before Saotome Sensei in November 2000, and for nidan and sandan before Ikeda Sensei in April 2003 and March 2007 respectively.

James Kelley (Second Degree black belt, ASU) tested for Nidan before Patty Saotome Sensei and Kevin Choate Sensei in March 2005. He was formerly a student at the new York Bond Street Dojo.

Corey Lee (First degree black belt, ASU) tested for shodan before Nishitaki Sensei in February 2000.

Michael Valentino (First degree black belt, ASU) tested for shodan before Nishitaki Sensei in February 2000.

Janet Wilson (First degree black belt, ASU) assists with adult instruction and is the Director of children's classes. She tested for shodan before Saotome Sensei in November 2001.

Bob Loudon (First degree black belt, ASU) assists with adult instruction and teaches the older children's classes. He tested for shodan before Wendy Palmer Sensei in June 2005.

Ralph Ambrose (First degree black belt, ASU) tested for shodan before Ikeda Sensei in March 2006.

Jay Walters (First degree black belt, ASU) tested for shodan before Ikeda Sensei in March 2006.

AJ Aowsakorn (First degree black belt, ASU) tested for shodan before Ikeda Sensei in March 2007.

Yuichiro Kakihara, Ph. D. holds a third dan in Kendo, granted by the Japan Kendo Federation in 1988. His direct teacher is Fujio Obari (7th Dan, Kyoshi). He is also a member of the Southern California Kendo Organization. He is an Associate Professor of Mathematics at the California State University, San Bernardino.

TAI CHI

Harvey Kurland, M.S. is a direct student of Grandmaster Tchoung Ta-tchen and of Grandmaster Kuo Lien Ying and is a certified Chief Instructor of the Northwest Tai Chi Chuan Association. Sifu Kurland has studied T'ai-chi ch'uan and many other related arts since 1966. He holds a shodan (1st degree black belt) in Aikido. He teaches the complete system of long form, pushing hands, San Shou, sword and walking stick, Ch'i Kung, as well as the circular Bagua training. Sifu Kurland is an exercise physiologist by training and his goal is to improve the health of his students. They have all greatly benefited by showing significantly improved balance, stress reduction and lowered blood pressure. He has recently received his recertification as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist®, as defined by the Executive Council of the NSCA Certification Commission.

Annalee Gibson has completed a Yoga Instructors' Certificate at California State University, San Bernardino, under the instruction of Dr. Amy Wheeler. A certified Reiki Master, Ms. Gibson has practiced restorative massage therapy since 1993 and has been a student of Classical Ballet since 1987, of Pilates™ since 1999 and Yoga since 2001. She brings a deep understanding of postural alignment, natural body movement and optimum health to our school.

Shelley Kuge Pope, M.S., M.F.T. received her ordination from the Zen Mountain Center in 2003. She started Zen training with Taizan Maezumi Roshi in 1994 and her school, Mountain Shadow Zendo, is affiliated with Hazy Moon Zen Buddhist Center of Los Angeles. Rev. Pope is a counselor at the Health Center at California State University, San Bernardino and also teaches yoga there.