Instructors
Scott Van Der Velde
Scott Van Der Velde
Scott Van Der Velde Sensei began training in Aikido in early 2005 under Blaine Feyen Sensei. In addition to his ongoing study at Yushinkan dojo, Scott travels as frequently as he can to train in other martial arts, and under various world class Aikido teachers including Christian Tissier, Hiroshi Ikeda and Seishiro Endo. Scott is currently an instructor at Yushinkan Dojo (The Aikido Center) and holds the rank of Nidan (2nd degree black belt) Aikikai Hombu Dojo, Japan.
Scott Van Der Velde Sensei began training in Aikido in early 2005 under Blaine Feyen Sensei. In addition to his ongoing study at Yushinkan dojo, Scott travels as frequently as he can to train in other martial arts, and under various world class Aikido teachers including Christian Tissier, Hiroshi Ikeda and Seishiro Endo. Scott is currently an instructor at Yushinkan Dojo (The Aikido Center) and holds the rank of Nidan (2nd degree black belt) Aikikai Hombu Dojo, Japan.
Hùng Lê
Lê Anh Hùng
Hùng Lê began his Aikido training in 2008 at Yushinkan Dojo. He is the instructor of the children’s program and leads the adult Aikido class each Wednesday. Hùng travels frequently to further his ongoing study of Aikido and the martial arts. He holds the rank of Shodan (1st degree black belt) Aikikai Hombu Dojo, Japan.
Hùng Lê began his Aikido training in 2008 at Yushinkan Dojo. He is the instructor of the children’s program and leads the adult Aikido class each Wednesday. Hùng travels frequently to further his ongoing study of Aikido and the martial arts. He holds the rank of Shodan (1st degree black belt) Aikikai Hombu Dojo, Japan.
Rodney Pallett
Rodney Pallett
Rodney Pallett Sensei started his Aikido training in Yoshinkan Aikido and later began study under the Fumio Toyoda Aikido lineage. He is a founding member of Yushinkan Dojo. Rod has trained under Toshishiro Obata, Shinkendo Kaiso, and is the head instructor of Yushinkan dojo's Shinkendo club. Rod Sensei also studies Conflict Management and regularly trains in a variety of martial arts. He holds the rank of Nidan (2nd degree) Aikikai Hombu Dojo, Japan.
Rodney Pallett Sensei started his Aikido training in Yoshinkan Aikido and later began study under the Fumio Toyoda Aikido lineage. He is a founding member of Yushinkan Dojo. Rod has trained under Toshishiro Obata, Shinkendo Kaiso, and is the head instructor of Yushinkan dojo's Shinkendo club. Rod Sensei also studies Conflict Management and regularly trains in a variety of martial arts. He holds the rank of Nidan (2nd degree) Aikikai Hombu Dojo, Japan.
Blaine Feyen
Blaine Feyen (Sabbatical)
Blaine Feyen Sensei is the founder and Chief Instructor of the Yushinkan Dojo (The Aikido Center). Blaine spent several years as an uchideshi (live-in student) under the renowned Aikido and Zen Master, Fumio Toyoda Shihan. Toyoda Shihan named Feyen Sensei’s dojo “Yushinkan” which means 'Brave Heart/Mind Dojo'. Feyen Sensei has given many seminars around the United States and Europe. He holds the rank of Yondan (4th degree black belt) Aikikai Hombu Dojo, Japan.
Blaine Feyen Sensei is the founder and Chief Instructor of the Yushinkan Dojo (The Aikido Center). Blaine spent several years as an uchideshi (live-in student) under the renowned Aikido and Zen Master, Fumio Toyoda Shihan. Toyoda Shihan named Feyen Sensei’s dojo “Yushinkan” which means 'Brave Heart/Mind Dojo'. Feyen Sensei has given many seminars around the United States and Europe. He holds the rank of Yondan (4th degree black belt) Aikikai Hombu Dojo, Japan.
Eric Strouse
Eric Strouse (Sabbatical)
Eric Strouse Sensei is a founding member of Yushinkan Dojo (The Aikido Center). He began his Aikido training in 1996 under the direction of Rick Mirandette Sensei. After several years of attendance at seminars and classes in Chicago under Toyoda Shihan, Strouse Sensei became a devoted student of Blaine Feyen Sensei. He served as otomo and assistant instructor to Feyen sensei while traveling around the US and Europe. Strouse Sensei has extensive training in Leadership and Instructional Development and holds the rank of Yondan (4th degree black belt) Aikikai Hombu Dojo, Japan.
Eric Strouse Sensei is a founding member of Yushinkan Dojo (The Aikido Center). He began his Aikido training in 1996 under the direction of Rick Mirandette Sensei. After several years of attendance at seminars and classes in Chicago under Toyoda Shihan, Strouse Sensei became a devoted student of Blaine Feyen Sensei. He served as otomo and assistant instructor to Feyen sensei while traveling around the US and Europe. Strouse Sensei has extensive training in Leadership and Instructional Development and holds the rank of Yondan (4th degree black belt) Aikikai Hombu Dojo, Japan.
Shinya Nishizawa
Shinya Nishizawa (Sabbatical)
Shinya Nishizawa Sensei has devoted much of his life to the study and practice of martial arts. Born in Nagano, Japan he grew up immersed in the rich cultural traditions of Japan. He began practicing various martial arts at the age of five with his father. Martial arts is an important part of his family tradition given his samurai ancestry. Shinya has earned the degree of nidan (second degree black belt) in Aikido through the Aikido School of Ueshiba (ASU) and is a practicing member of this organization. ASU is headed by Mitsugi Saotome Shihan and Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan and recognized by Aikido Hombu Dojo in Japan.
Shinya Nishizawa Sensei has devoted much of his life to the study and practice of martial arts. Born in Nagano, Japan he grew up immersed in the rich cultural traditions of Japan. He began practicing various martial arts at the age of five with his father. Martial arts is an important part of his family tradition given his samurai ancestry. Shinya has earned the degree of nidan (second degree black belt) in Aikido through the Aikido School of Ueshiba (ASU) and is a practicing member of this organization. ASU is headed by Mitsugi Saotome Shihan and Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan and recognized by Aikido Hombu Dojo in Japan.
Many thanks to Charles Smith for his wonderful pictures - CharlesSmith.org
