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What is Aikido?
"This art is about
power, the place between giving and receiving."
- DOBSEN
SENSEI
Aikido is a martial art and spiritual discipline created by Morihei
Ueshiba, O Sensei (1883-1969). O Sensei combined his martial artistry
with spiritual and ethical insight to form the art of Aikido. His spiritual
awakening led him to see that applied nonviolence is one of the most vital
techniques of resolving confict. The name Aikido embodies the foundation
principles of the art.
 AI
harmony
KI
life energy, the essence of all things in nature
DO
path, way or art
"The techniques of Aikido are intended for us to use in examining
the nature of power, to engage in uncompromising self-scrutiny, and to
realize our potential as powerful, compassionate, creative, self-aware
human beings."
- MARY
HEINY SENSEI
Aikido practice develops strength and agility, heightens concentration,
and encourages relaxation. As a path of personal growth, Aikido opens
our awareness and cultivates spirit. Through continued practice, compassion
for self and others grows; our intrinsic nature emerges.
How Does Training
Begin?
We offer introductory classes for adults and teenagers using a gradual
approach that allows each student to progress at his or her own pace.
Beginners are introduced to simple and progresssively more advanced techniques
to resolve an attack, and to Aikido's nonviolent philosophy. Classes are
led by black belt instructors who create a safe and serious environment
in which to learn Aikido principles and self-defense. Aikido also provides
an excellent way for children to develop coordination, flexibility, self-esteem
and respect for themselves and others. Classes include Aikido paired practices,
stretching, rolling and non-competitive games. The emphasis is on having
fun and learning cooperatively. Visitors are always welcome to observe
class.
Is Aikido Effective
in Self Defense?
Aikido teaches that effective self-defense requires responsive, rather
than reactive movement. Focused awareness, centered movement and assertive
presence, not physical resistance, deliver the power behind Aikido techniques.
Aikido practice encourages intelligent action and cultivates precise movement.
Self-defense skills acquired in training provide a broad range of responses
to attack while developing an attitude of protection for both self and
aggressor. Aikido assumes that true victory is achieved when conflict
is brought to a place of peaceful resolution.
Is Aikido Different
from Other Martial Arts?
Known as the 'art of peace,' Aikido follows a unique approach in managing
conflict. Rather than blocking and countering an attack, one enters into
blends with the opposing force and redirects that energy back to its source.
Aikido is a practice of conflict resolution that works both on the mat
and in daily life. The principles of blending and redirecting energy apply
in personal relationships, athletic pursuits, artistic endeavors and business
negotiations. Each of these studies require strength, agility, timing,
grace and authenticity.
About the Chief
Instructor
Kimberly Richardson Sensei, MA, LMT and 6th degree
black belt, began training with Mary Heiny Sensei in 1978. Determined
athleticism, psychotherapy practices, body work training and energy awareness
skills are key elements of her spirited teaching. Kimberly has studied
throughout the United States, Canada and Japan, most notably with Saotome,
Ikeda, Dobson and Read Senseis. She has acted as chief instructor for
The Apple Computer Aikido School in Cupertino, CA and at Seattle School
of Aikido. In 1995, Kimberly founded Two Cranes Aikido where she teaches
the philosophy and practice of Aikido to people of all ages. As an adjunct
faculty member at Antioch University, she offers "Aikido as Martial
Art and Spiritual Practice." Richardson
Sensei is a consultant and trainer offering workshops in conflict resolution,
effective management styles, and self-defense to corporations and to
educational groups.
Instructors at
TCA
Dave Hurley
David Hurley began his training at the age of 16 with Frank Doran Sensei.
One of the most experienced members of the dojo, he has studied with
Saotome Sensei and was a Senior Instructor at North Bay Aikido in Santa
Cruz, CA and Chief Instructor of Seattle School of Aikido. He works as
the Director of Departmental Computing for the Biology Department at
the University of Washington.
Anne Yamane
Anne Yamane started on her aikido path in 1983 under
the instruction of Mary Heiny Sensei. Anne now holds a 5th degree
black belt. In addition to teaching at Two Cranes for eleven years,
she was Co-Chief Instructor for Seattle School of Aikido from 1990-1995. Anne
is a senior performing member of Northwest Taiko and will teach taiko
classes at the dojo in the new year. In her other life, Anne is
a certified orthotist, lecturer and Prosthetics-Orthotics Program Director
in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington.
Joey Perlmutter
Joey Perlmutter began his aikido study with in 1985
at Bond Street Dojo in NYC and holds a third degree black belt. Joey
trained in Seattle for the past 16 years and has instructed at Two Cranes
off and on since we opened our doors in 1995. Joey is the Manager of
Ray’s Boathouse, a bustling caldron of pressure that enables his
Aikido practice to emerge.
Dan McAbee
Dan McAbee began his Aikido training in 1990
with Kimberly Richardson and holds a 4th degree black belt. In addition
to training and teaching, he is the co-founder of our new school location
in Maple Leaf. Prior to training in Aikido Dan had practiced TaeKwanDo
for ten years. He studies Aikibojitsu with Tom Read Sensei and is
an avid practioner of Tai Chi. Dan has flown for Alaska Airlines since
1982.
Richard Darby
Richard Darby began his Aikido training in 1990 with
Kimberly Richardson and as one of our founding members has taught the
Saturday morning classes since1995. In addition to building our first
dojo space, he is also responsible for the fine-tuning construction in
our new school. Not just an excellent woodworker, Richard is a
computer doctor for Eddie Bauer.
Helmut Floss
Helmut Floss began his Aikido in 1991 with Kimberly
Richardson at the Seattle School of Aikido and holds the rank of 3rd
degree black belt. He teaches children and adults and became the director
of the children and teens program in 2000. In addition to teaching, he
helped develop a teen program at Two Cranes that began in 1999. Since
then he has created weekend and weeklong Aikido weapon training and randori
camps in the wilderness for students of Two Cranes.
Kristen Allott
Kristen Allot started training in Aikido 1992 in Burlington,
Vt. Inspired by Mary Heiny Sensei that her self-critic didn’t need
to dominate her internal life, she dedicated herself to the practice. In
1997, Kristen joined Two Cranes Aikido where she has trained and taught,
specifically assisting in the redesign of our Introductory program. Kristen
is a naturopathic doctor and licensed acupuncturist who founded Dynamic
Paths Offering Biological Non-Pharmaceutical Treatments for Mental Health
Concerns.
Cynthia Wold
Cynthia Wold has been training in aikido for ten years
with Kimberly Richardson and has earned the rank of second degree black
belt. “This practice is a good anchor for sanity.” She
has taught both weapons classes and early morning class. Professionally
she has practiced massage therapy since 1989 and has taught at Seattle
Massage School for over 11 years. She enjoys being in nature and
being physically active.
Sara Gerhart Snell
Sara Gerhart Snell began her study of Aikido
in 1998 after
watching her three children train in TCA kids classes for a month. She
holds the rank of 2nd degree black belt and teaches children, teens
and adult classes at the dojo. Off the mat Sara runs
her own business, The Designing Gardener. She earned her Bachelors
and Masters of Music in viola performance from the Eastman School of
Music in 1985.
Jim Allbaugh
Jim Allbaughcurrently holds the rank of 2nd degree
black belt. He has over 13 years of training and came to Two Cranes
in 1998 where he trains and teaches both the teen-agers and adults. Jim
is a certified rolfer trained in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and
therapeutic relationships. His office is in Ballard.
Taryn Sass
Taryn Sass began training in 1996 when she was obtaining
her degree in Earth Sciences from UC Santa Cruz. After graduating
and moving to Seattle, she joined Two Cranes Aikido and continued her
quest to train and teach Aikido in a joyful manner. As a geologist,
she takes pride in being the earthy one in the dojo and strives to add
more fluidity in her practice. She holds the rank of 2nd degree black
belt.
Jessica Levin
Jessica Levin took her 10th kyu test at the age of
7. After years of other activities, she rediscovered Aikido in
college, and has been training ever since. She teaches the children’s
classes and has participated in intensives that we offer our children
and teens. Jessie assists us with our special trainings for outside groups
like Aikido for Soccer Girls. She is currently pursuing a law
degree, and loves Aikido for a different reason every day.
Nat McCully
Nat McCully knew he would love Aikido as soon as he saw training at
Kenji Shimizu's Tendokan Dojo in 1988 as an exchange student in Japan.
He began training in 1992 in California with Wada and Doran Senseis.
In 1998, he met Yoshinobu Takeda Sensei and regularly travels to Yokohama
to train with him. After hearing about Two Cranes Aikido from Doran Sensei,
Nat has been training with Kimberly Richardson Sensei since 2000 and
has received the rank of first degree black belt.
Jennifer Stoakes
Jen Stoakes began her formal training in aikido with Kimberly Richardson
in 1998, earning a first degree black belt in 2005. Due to her
father’s aikido practice her philosophical education in aikido
started at a very young age. As a psychotherapist, Jen blends aikido
and existential phenomenological psychology in working with children
and adults. In addition to her psychotherapy practice she finds
great satisfaction in helping to run the office at Two Cranes and co-teaching
the mini-cranes classes for 4 and 5 year olds.
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Dues:
$90
a month for adults
$80
a month for students and seniors
$400
per semester for
teens
$200 per quarter for children
$50
registration fee
$40 annual fee to cover insurance
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