Aikido Instructors
合気道の先生
All ranks are certified through Aikikai Hombu Dojo, Tokyo, Japan 合気会本部道場東京日本
Weekly Instructors
Jimmy Friedman – Dojo Cho
七段 Nana dan (7th degree black belt)
Year Started: 1980
Other martial arts: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu; Muay Thai kickboxing, Wing Chung
Friedman Sensei began Aikido training in 1980 at the age of twenty-one at the Oakland Aikido Institute, in Oakland, California. After receiving his black belt in the Iwama style in 1984, he moved to San Francisco and continued his training at Turk Street Dojo. In 1995 he met Kato Hiroshi Sensei at Hombu Dojo, soon inviting him to San Francisco to teach his first San Francisco seminar and becoming one of Kato Sensei’s first American students. Friedman Sensei’s approach to Aikido 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; In Brazilian Jiu- Jitsu (BJJ), James received his Blue, Purple & Brown Belts from Clovis Silva, and his Black belt from Deb Arana through Cia Paulista. He brings that intensity and focus into his teaching style in Aikido.
Friedman Sensei received 1, 2, 3 Dan through CAA. 4, 5, 6 Dan through Kato Sensei, 7 dan through San-Dai Doshu as recommended by ChisrtianTissier Sensei. All ranks are registered through Hombu Dojo. Aikikai world headquarters.Tokyo Japan
Jimmy teaches Tuesday and Thursday noon to 1 p.m. and 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Yves Chauvin
六段 Roku dan (6th degree black belt)
Year Started: 1978
Other martial arts: Judo; Kendo; Tae Kwon Do; Karate; Tang Soo Do; French boxing; Shaolin Kung Fu; Tai Chi Chuan; Pa Kua; Chi Kung
Yves’ classes focus on grounded movements and flowing form. His strong, centered practice carries the influence of a range of martial arts.
He received the rank of Rokudan from James Friedman Sensei.
Yves Teaches Saturday 10:30 a.m. to noon
Ezio "Ace" Gagliardi
六段 Rokudan (6th degree black belt)
Year Started: 1987
Other martial arts: Wado Ryu Karate Black Belt and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Ezio welcomes all students, beginners and advanced alike. His classes emphasize proper form and footwork skills for more mobility and effective technique.
He received the rank of Rokudan from James Friedman Sensei.
Ace teaches Monday and Friday 8 to 9 a.m.
Marshall "Kimo" White
六段 Rokudan (6th degree black belt)
Year Started: 1986
Other martial arts: Naginata
Kimo’s classes emphasize mindfulness, physical presence, and flowing movements. His art is strongly influenced by his long study of Zen Buddhism.
He received the rank of Rokudan from James Friedman Sensei.
Kimo teaches Monday 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Cheryl Leonard
四段 Yondan (4th degree black belt)
Year Started: 1986
Cheryl's classes emphasize mindfulness, physical presence, and flowing movements.
She received the rank of Yondan from James Friedman Sensei.
Cheryl teaches Wednesday noon to 1 p.m.
Paul Senechko
三段 Sandan (3rd degree black belt)
Year Started: 2010
Other martial arts: Chen Taijiquan
Paul’s classes prioritize awareness and connection. His classes will cover the core Aikido curriculum from ukemi (falling safely) to basic techniques and weapons. Paul is a certified Feldenkrais practitioner. His Taichi and somatic practices infuse his Aikido teaching. Prior to teaching Aikido, he taught Hatha Yoga in San Francisco for 7 years.
He received the rank of Nidan from James Friedman Sensei.
Paul teaches Sunday 10:30 a.m. to noon
Kevin Chuck
二段 Nidan (2nd degree black belt)
Year Started: 2014
Other martial arts: Choy Lay Fut Kung Fu and Judo
Kevin was interested in and intrigued by Aikido for almost 20 years before starting to train under James Friedman Sensei in 2014. He played water polo at the collegiate level.
He received the rank of Nidan from James Friedman Sensei.
Kevin teaches Friday noon to 1 p.m.
Stephen Goldman
二段 Nidan (2nd degree black belt)
Stephen teaches Friday 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Additional Instructors
Michael Johnson
六段 Rokudan (6th degree black belt)
Year Started: 1987
Michael teaches basics-and-beyond classes, with a strong focus on helping students prepare for tests. He brings an extensive background in dance to his exploration of martial arts.
He received the rank of Rokudan from James Friedman Sensei
Doug Uyeno
六段 Rokudan (6th degree black belt)
Year Started: 1984
Doug finds a perfect balance to his evening work in fine dining. He invites you to spend an hour away from your desk in the camaraderie of Aikido, breaking a sweat and harmonizing with universal ki.
He received the rank of Rokudan from James Friedman Sensei
Felix Gallego
六段 Rokudan (6th degree black belt)
Year Started: 1995
Other martial arts: Judo, BJJ
Felix’s classes focus on athleticism, basics, and slow progression into more advanced combinations. He incorporates sports into his classes, emphasizing safe and proper form in individual practice.
He received the rank of Rokudan from James Friedman Sensei.
Carole Snitzer
三段 Sandan (3rd degree black belt)
Year Started: 2006
Other martial arts: Muay Thai
Carole's classes focus on deliberate body movement, blending, and connection with your partner
She received the rank of Sandan from James Friedman Sensei.
Jesse Anttila-Hughes
初段 Shodan (1st degree black belt)
Year Started: 1994
Other martial arts: Kendo (4th dan), boxing
Jesse started Aikido at the age of 14 at the New York Aikikai under the late senseis Y. Yamada and S. Sugano. He lived there briefly as an uchideshi in the mid 90s and continued to train at NY Aikikai on and off until he moved to the Bay Area. His style combines his decades-long training in kendo with the NY Aikikai's strong emphasis on active ukemi and clear technique, drawing specific influence and inspiration from senseis H. Konigsberg, C. Keller, and the late D. Waite.
He received the rank of Shodan from Y. Yamada Sensei.