Instructors

Shizuo Imaizumi - Shihan

The symbol to the left, below the links, is the Tomoe, Imaizumi-Sensei's family crest. It embodies Sensei's approach to aikido - circular movement around a stable center.

Imaizumi Sensei first started his aikido training in April of 1959 during his days as a student at Waseda University in Tokyo. He went to training sessions at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo, which was located within walking distance of the Waseda Campus. It was there that he first met Morihei Ueshiba (O-Sensei, the founder of aikido) during one of his aikido demonstrations.

In 1965, with a rank of sandan, Imaizumi Sensei became an apprentice to the teaching staff (shidoin) at the Aikikai Hombu dojo and his career as a professional aikido instructor began. During this period he frequently would serve as uke, or training partner, for Ueshiba Sensei during the early morning aikido classes when O-Sensei would demonstrate and teach. After O-Sensei's death in April of 1969, Imaizumi Sensei was chosen to accompany Waka-Sensei (the son of O-sensei) and his wife to enshrine the remains of O-Sensei at the Ueshiba family graveyard at Tanabe.

In the spring of 1972, Imaizumi Sensei made his first visit to the United States when he traveled to California and other areas of the western U.S. to teach aikido and ki principles on behalf of Koichi Tohei Sensei, who was Aikikai Hombu dojo head instructor at the time. After 3 months in California, Imaizumi Sensei returned to Japan and continued as an instructor at the Aikikai Hombu dojo until 1974 when he joined Tohei Sensei in his new organization, the Ki-no-kenkyukai (Ki Society; Shin-Shin Toitsu Aikido).

Imaizumi Sensei returned to the United States in 1975 to help Tohei Sensei organize and run Ki Society dojos in New York and elsewhere. On June 1, 1980, he was officially assigned the post of Chief Instructor for the Ki Society in the United States. Following this three year assignment, he nominated Koichi Kashiwaya, then the Chief Instructor of the Boulder Ki Society in Colorado, for the position of Chief Instructor for the United States. Imaizumi Sensei retained his title as Chief Instructor for the New York Ki Society.

In September of 1987, Imaizumi Sensei officially resigned from the Ki no Kenkyukai and returned to Japan in order to help with the management of his family's business there. He was able to return to the United States and resume his aikido career in April of 1988. Later that year (October 1st, 1988), he established a new aikido organization called Shin-Budo Kai. Since that time, Imaizumi Sensei has been teaching regularly at his New York City Hombu Dojo and oversees Shin-Budo Kai affiliated dojos in Cornwall Bridge, Connecticut; Albuquerque, NM; and Durango, CO. He has maintained a multi-state seminar schedule that has included Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Washington.

Albuquerque Shin-Budo Kai Teaching Staff:

Ralph Bryan Sensei, 3rd Dan and Chief Instructor at ASBK. Ralph first experienced aikido during a semester of study at the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 1976 – attracted to its philosophical underpinnings and noncompetitive approach. Returning to Austin, TX that same year, he practiced with the Austin Ki Society for 2 years. Medical school intervened from 1978 – 1982 after which Ralph resumed aikido practice with Mitsugi Saotome Shihan at Aikido Shobukan Dojo in Washington, DC from 1982 – 1987. Professional obligations intervened again when he joined the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta in 1987. He resumed aikido practice and joined ASBK in 1994, training sequentially under Wade Ishimoto Sensei and Jim Redel Sensei until 2006. Shizuo Imaizumi Shihan appointed Ralph as Chief Instructor of Albuquerque Shin-Budo Kai in March 2006 and promoted him to Sandan on September 1st, 2006.

Evan Stover Sensei , 3rd Dan and co-Chief Instructor at ASBK. From his first aikido class in 1993, when Evan saw Wade Ishimoto Sensei perform a kokyu nage, something clicked--he was immediately attracted to the way power was generated by the smooth, flowing motions. He has practiced steadily since then, and enjoys both the aikido and the emphasis on weapons that is part of the Shin-Budo curriculum. In his life outside the dojo, he sees many parallels between the movements of aikido and the movements in skiing, and sometimes finds “turning tenkan” helpful as a high school teacher. Evan was promoted to Sandan in 2006 and appointed Co-Chief Instructor of Albuquerque Shin-Budo Kai in March 2006.

Bob Thomas - 2nd Dan, Assistant Instructor. Bob started his martial arts training in Okinawan Karate in 1983 under the instruction of Fred Absher Sensei. He currently holds the rank of Nidan in Kojasho Karate. Wade Ishimoto Sensei was a colleague at Sandia National Laboratories, and at Wade's encouragement, Bob attended Albuquerque Shin-Budo Kai (ASBK) classes in 1991. He began his full-time study of aikido in 1997 under the instruction of Jim Redel Sensei. He gained the rank of Shodan in 2003. Ralph Bryan Sensei became chief instructor of ASBK in 2006 and Bob received the rank of Nidan the same year.

Jennifer Miyashiro Sensei, 1st Dan, Assistant Instructor. Jennifer’s first exposure to aikido was in the 1980s when she watched her cousin participate in a demonstration on Maui. Although she was impressed by the fluid movements and power of the art, it wasn’t until 2001 that she decided to give it a try herself. That year she began her aikido training with Shin-Budo Kai in Albuquerque. Since 2006, she has studied under Ralph Bryan Sensei. After years of practice with her fellow aikidoka, she is still impressed by the powerful grace that this martial art can generate. She earned the rank of Shodan in May of 2008.