Suginami › Instructors

Instructors   Kato Hiroshi Shihan Hachidan (8th degree black belt) Born in Tokyo in (1935-2012), Kato Sensei began Aikido training at the age of nineteen in 1954 at Hombu Dojo, under the instruction of O-Sensei. Kato Sensei trained daily at the dojo as well as spending long hours perfecting his internal practice; to this day he frequently visits mountain shrines and stays up all night practicing weapons and meditating. James Friedman had admired Kato Sensei's Aikido for many years before he was formally introduced to Kato Sensei in 1996, trained with him at Hombu Dojo, and initiated a correspondence. Kato Sensei was shortly thereafter invited to San Francisco, California. He now visits twice a year, teaching and overseeing the direction and testing for Suginami Aikikai San Francisco. He teaches full time in Tokyo at the Suginami Aikikai Tokyo Dojo, in Ogikubo. The ranks of all Suginami Aikikai SF instructors are registered with Hombu Dojo Aikido world headquarters in Tokyo Japan. Suginami Aikikai SF is an official branch Dojo of Suginami Aikikai Tokyo. An official Hombu Dojo affiliate.   James Friedman Dojo-Cho Rokudan, (6th degree black belt) Born in 1959, Friedman Sensei began Aikido training in 1980 at the age of twenty at the Oakland Aikido Institute, in Oakland, California. After one year he moved into the dojo as an uchi-deshi (live-in student). James lived in the dojo for eleven months, training many hours a day in a strict and demanding environment. After receiving his first-degree black belt in the Iwama style, he moved to San Francisco and continued his training at Turk Street Dojo around 1984. In the 80’s James started traveling to Tokyo at least two times a year to practice at Hombu dojo. In 1995 he met Kato Hiroshi Shihan at Hombu Dojo, shortly there after inviting him to San Francisco to teach his first San Francisco seminar. After one-year Suginami Aikikai San Francisco than known as, “Skidrow Dojo” became Kato Sensei’s first official branch Dojo in America. James Friedman became Kato Sensei’s first American student. James Friedman also had a very close relationship with the late master Terry Dobson, they had met at one of Terry’s verbal Aikido seminars and become close friends. James would invite Dobson sensei to San Francisco two times a year to teach intense two-week workshops. Terry had a profound and lasting influence on Friedman Sensei’s Aikido and overall views on the art. Respectfully Terry Dobson tought his last class at Skidrow AKA DojoSuginami Aikikai SF. Terry’s girlfriend Niki, gave James Friedman Terry’s Black Belt after he passed away. James received his first degree black belt at Oakland Aikido Institute (Iwama Style), second-degree black belt from Robert Nadeau Sensei, his third-degree black belt through Jack Wada Sensei. Fourth and fifth, sixth degree black belts came directly from Kato Sensei. James started Suginami Aikikai SF (Skidrow Dojo) in 1986 as an Aikido club for his friends. Friedman sensei’s approach to Aikido is unique he stresses hard training and conditioning with an emphasis on practical application, while retaining a very relaxed physical state. James has an extensive background in highly competitive sports; he brings that intensity and focus into his teaching style in Aikido. Friedman Sensei is very dedicated to cross training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Thai Kick boxing. James is a Blue Belt in BJJ under Clovis Silva.   Peter Ralls Sensei, Senior Instructor Rokudan (6th degree black belt) Peter Ralls Sensei started martial arts at his junior high school martial arts club when he was twelve years old. At fifteen, in 1975, he began training in Aikido at the Stanford University Aikido Club under Frank Doran Sensei. Peter received his shodan in 1979, and then moved to Tokyo for fourteen months training at Hombu Dojo, where he first met Kato Sensei. Peter began his career in law enforcement in 1983 as a Reserve Police Officer for the city of Menlo Park, and retired in 2010 as a Sergeant for the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office. During that time Peter worked in assignments to Patrol, County Narcotics Task Force, Corrections, Gang Enforcement, and the Detective Bureau. He was a defensive tactics instructor, and headed the Sheriff's Office defensive tactics unit from 2001 to 2008. During his law enforcement career Peter was in a number of physical altercations with violent suspects where he gained practical experience in applying martial arts techniques and methods in real situations. Peter taught Aikido from 1983 until 1994 at Aikido of San Jose under Jack Wada Sensei, and began teaching with James Friedman Sensei at the original Skid Row Dojo soon after it opened. In addition to Aikido Peter has trained in a variety of other martial arts, and is currently practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, and Chen Tai Chi Chuan. Peter travels yearly to Japan to train with Kato Sensei and at Hombu Dojo.   Yves Chauvin Sensei Godan (5th degree black belt) Yves stared Aikido with Tamura Sensei in France in the late 70's. Yves teaches a strong and grounded class saturday mornings from 10:30-12:00 pm. Yves recieved his shodan from Frank Doran Sensei, and his 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th dan from James Friedman through Kato Sensei.   Mike Johnson Sensei Yondan (4th degree black belt) Mike has been at Suginami Aikikai for more than ten years; he teaches strong basics-and-beyond classes. A loyal and dedicated instructor, Mike for years has selflessly focused on helping students prepare for tests. Mike brings his extensive background in dance to a refined yet extremely practical exploration of martial arts, including an enthusiastic interest in weapons techniques.   Ace Gagliardi Sensei Yondan (4th degree black belt) Ezio Gagliardi had already earned his black belt in Wado Ryu Karate from Hideki Hiraoka Sensei in San Francisco, California before starting in Aikido. His Aikido training began in San Jose 1987. Ace has been a member of Suginami Aikikai, S.F. under the direction of Friedman Sensei since June 1997.   Doug Uyeno Sensei Yondan (4th degree black belt) Doug started studying Aikido in 1984 at the Turk Street Dojo. He joined Suginami Aikikai in 1997. He has trained and taught at noon for over 20 years, finding it provides a perfect balance to his evening work in fine dining. He invites you to train with him and other restaurant workers, as well as some dedicated civic center professionals who like to spend an hour away from their desks, stretching, breaking a sweat and harmonizing with universal ki.   Felix Gallego Yondan (4th degree black belt) Felix began Aikido at the Madrid Aikikai (Spain) 13 years ago. He then relocated to San Francisco, California and became an Uchi-Deshi at Suginami Aikikai. His classes are very strong, with a special focus on Aikido basics. Felix works as a Personal Traioner in Sf, and his martial art background also includes Karate and Judo. He trains BJJ . Felix aproaches Aikido and Martial Arts by incorporating his sports knowledge emphasicing on proper and safe form as the individual practices the Art.   Kimo White Yondan (4th Degree Black Belt)   Daisy Colchie Yondan (4th degree Black belt) Daisy teaches kids classes on Saturday mornings and Thursdays after-school and also steps in for adult classes when needed. She leads a focused and high-energy class, developing Aikido basics and ukemi along with a great workout. Daisy was an Uchi Deshi at Suginami Aikikai, San Francisco. She began her Aikido training at Oberlin College in 1988 and continued under Kanai Sensei on the East Coast before she came to San Francisco. Her martial arts background includes Tae Kwon Do and Capoeira. In addition to her training at Suginami, she teaches art to children in the San Francisco Unified School District, aikido at the French-American International School and family programs at the Contemporary Jewish Museum. She holds a Masters in Education and Art. Kickboxing   Vajra Granelli Sandan (Third degree Black Belt) Vajra Granelli is a third-generation boxer in San Francisco; he has been boxing for 23 years and kickboxing for 18 years. He started teaching 10 years ago and in that time has created fighting programs and trained fighters all over the world. He has trained many golden glove champions here in San Francisco as well as California U.S.A boxing champions. Over the years he has worked with many world champions in the boxing and kickboxing world. Along with his years of experience, he brings a long strong family boxing tradition to his teaching. Vajra also holds the rank of Nidan in Aikido. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu   Clovis Silva Sensei 5th degree Black belt BJJ (Under Carlson Gracie) Clovis Silva, Clovis grew up in Rio. He began training as a teenager with the late master, Carlson Gracie. Clovis won many title fights and was 4 time Brazilian BJJ champion. Today he dedicates his time to teaching private lessons to people of all ages and levels. His goal in teaching is to help build a solid foundation in self-defense through the teachings of BJJ. As well helping a student build confidence and self-esteem. Clovis was an original member of Carlson Gracie's elite team. Private lessons are available, please call dojo to book classes. 415-777-2833   Adam Flissinger Black-Belt BJJ (Under-Clovis Silva)