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) and is Professor of Mathematics and
Aikido Instructor at the California State University, San Bernardino. 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.  

Since June 1, 2009, Prakash Sensei has been certified as an instructor-in-training by
Vladimir Vasiliev in the Russian Martial Art of Systema.

Assistant Instructors
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.

George Cannon (Second degree black belt, ASU), visiting from Seattle.

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

Aikido Kids Class Instructors

Augustin Equiha-Ortiz
John Ynami

Aikido Kids Class Assistants

Devin Gamundoy
Sef Harding

Kendo Instructors

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 Professor of Mathematics at the California State University, San Bernardino.

Aaron Belko holds a fourth Dan in Kendo, granted by the All United States Kendo Federation in 2009. His teacher is Jay Wook Park (7th Dan, Kyoshi) from Korea.

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 recertification as a Certified Strength and conditioning Specialist, as defined by the Executive council of the NSCA Certification Commission.

Systema Instructor

Chetan Prakash, Ph.D (see Aikido Instructors) has been studying Systema since 2006, when he first trained with Mikhail Ryabko and Vladimir Vasiliez at the Aiki Expo and subsequently at the Summit of the Masters and numerous subsequent seminars with Master Vasiliev and other senior Systema Instructors.

Zazen Meditation 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.