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Around 1980, while I was studying and teaching Shorin Ryu Matsumona Karate under Sensei Toshaiki (7th Dan), as well as amateur kickboxing, I was talking to my neighbor B.J. Carlisle in north San Diego county. He would often see my friends and me training in my backyard or driveway. He would show me Kotegaeshi or Nikkyo, or some other Aikido technique. Immediately I was intrigued because of the apparent “softness” of techniques, but not yet convinced that it was time to change to another martial art (in spite of his constant invitations to train with him).
Eventually, I tried Aikido for 6 to 8 times a month, but didn’t get hooked right away. I continued to train in Karate, staying in my comfort zone. In 1992 I moved to Utah. Every now and then, I would scan the Salt Lake phone book for Aikido, but couldn’t find anything that fit. It wasn’t until February 1994 when I was driving down a Salt Lake street that I found an Aikido dojo to practice at. As I was driving by, Hugh Young Sensei was putting up a sign that said simply “Aikido.” I slammed on my breaks (fortunately not causing an accident), and introduced myself. He was just starting to build his dojo so, being a contractor, I got out of my truck and pulled out my tools. I asked where I should start, and signed up that day. About half a dozen students, Hugh, and I built the dojo.
From the beginning I showed up every day for almost every class, logging between 250 – 300 days per year for the first six years. When I was a Nidan (2000), Hugh and I formed a partnership, which led to me becoming the Dojo-Cho in the same year I became a Sandan (2002).
Over the years, Utah Aikikai has been successful, maintaining a student body of 100-140 students from almost the beginning. We generally have about 30-40 kids and 80-100 adults training, and offer 35 classes per week.
My most Memorable Aikido Experience
My most memorable Aikido moment was the Grand Re-Opening of Utah Aikikai in October 2005 at our new location. With a new location, a wonderful big space, and four great teachers (and great friends), we opened the new dojo. Sensei’s Hayashi, Friedl, Molles-Smith, and Smith helped us to start a new era at Utah Aikikai with wonderful energy and emotion. It was a weekend I will never forget. The camaraderie, instruction, and good times were second-to-none. I appreciated very much that my friends and students attended to support us, helping to make the event a great success.
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