Instructors
Aikido Instructors
Head Instructor
Chetan Prakash, Ph.D. (Fifth degree black belt ASU) has been practicing Aikido since 1983.
His direct teachers are Saotome Sensei and Ikeda Sensei. Prakash Sensei holds a Ph.D in
Applied Mathematics from Cornell University (1982). He is Professor of Mathematics at the
California State University, San Bernardino, where he is also director of the Center for
Scholarship and Spirituality and was, for seven years, the Aikido Instructor there. He is
co-author of “Observer Mechanics: A Mathematical Theory of Perception” and serves as
president of the Yeru Bon Center, established in Los Angeles by Nyima Dakpa Rinpoche to
preserve and disseminate ancient Tibetan traditions in the West.
Prakash Sensei is also a certified Systema instructor (see below).
Chetan Prakash, Ph.D. (Fifth degree black belt ASU) has been practicing Aikido since 1983.
His direct teachers are Saotome Sensei and Ikeda Sensei. Prakash Sensei holds a Ph.D in
Applied Mathematics from Cornell University (1982). He is Professor of Mathematics at the
California State University, San Bernardino, where he is also director of the Center for
Scholarship and Spirituality and was, for seven years, the Aikido Instructor there. He is
co-author of “Observer Mechanics: A Mathematical Theory of Perception” and serves as
president of the Yeru Bon Center, established in Los Angeles by Nyima Dakpa Rinpoche to
preserve and disseminate ancient Tibetan traditions in the West.
Prakash Sensei is also a certified Systema instructor (see below).
Aikido Kids Class Instructors
John Ynami
Augustin Equiha-Ortiz
Aikido Kids Class Assistants
Sef Harding
Joe Guzman
Kendo Instructor
Instructor
Aaron Belko holds the rank of fourth dan in Kendo, granted by the All United States Kendo Federation in 2009. His teacher is Jae Wook Park, seventh dan, Kyoshi, Irvine Dojo (SCKF). He is a member of the Southern California Kendo Organization and is head instructor and representative for the Redlands Kendo Dojo. He received a MA in Religion and a MA in Education from the Claremont Graduate University. He is currently an elementary school teacher in Upland, California.
Aaron Belko holds the rank of fourth dan in Kendo, granted by the All United States Kendo Federation in 2009. His teacher is Jae Wook Park, seventh dan, Kyoshi, Irvine Dojo (SCKF). He is a member of the Southern California Kendo Organization and is head instructor and representative for the Redlands Kendo Dojo. He received a MA in Religion and a MA in Education from the Claremont Graduate University. He is currently an elementary school teacher in Upland, California.
Tai Chi Instructor
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 is author of the book Ancient Mind-Body Techniques Revealed and has issued two videos on T’ai Chi. He also holds a Shodan in Aikido. He teaches the completes 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 is recently received his re-certification as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, as defined by the Executive council of the NSCA Certification Commission.
Systema Instructor
Chetan Prakash, Ph.D, head Aikido instructor (see above) has been studying Systema since 2005, when he first trained with Mikhail Ryabko and Vladimir Vasiliez at the Aiki Expo and subsequently at the first and third Summit of the Masters and numerous other seminars with Masters Ryabko, Vasiliev, Komarov and other senior Systema Instructors. He was certified as an instructor by Master Vasiliev, Chief Systema Instructor outside Russia, at the August 2010 Summit of the Masters.
Classical Yoga Instructor
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. Reverend Pope is a
Counselor at the Health Center at California State University, San Bernardino and also teaches yoga there.
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. Reverend Pope is a
Counselor at the Health Center at California State University, San Bernardino and also teaches yoga there.
Zazen Meditation Instructor
