Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher
—Japanese Proverb
At Redlands Aikikai, our instructors are not just skilled martial arts practitioners but also passionate educators. Each instructor brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, ensuring that you receive the best guidance on your martial arts journey.
Chetan Prakash, Aikikai Rokudan (sixth degree black belt), has practiced Aikido since 1983. His teacher is Mitsugi Saotome Shihan, long-term direct disciple of O Sensei and Founder and Head Instructor of Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU).
In 2012, Saotome Shihan awarded Prakash Sensei the Ueshiba Juku designation, identifying the recipient as belonging to the lineage of O Sensei. The designation is a testament to ability, character and loyalty, and is based upon the recipient's firm commitment to the vision of O Sensei.Saotome Sensei's calligraphy of this designation is shown at the right.
Prakash Sensei also feels a deep sense of gratitude to his other main Aikido influences, including Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan and Frank Doran Shihan of Aikido, and to his Systema teachers, Michael Ryabko and Vladimir Vasiliev. He was a certified instructor in the Russian martial art “Ryabko Systema,” from 2010 through 2013 and incorporates this knowledge into his teaching of Aikido and Self-Protection.
Prakash Sensei is a founding member of the Executive Board of ASU He fulfilled various functions on the Board from 2015 through 2020, including serving as vice-president and foreign Dojo liaison.
Prakash Sensei holds a Ph.D from Cornell University in Mathematical Physics and is an independent researcher on mathematical theories of consciousness, on which he delivers invited talks at international conferences. He is Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at the California State University, San Bernardino, where he was affiliated faculty with the CSU Intelligence Community Center of Academic Excellence, and Director of the Center for the Study of Consciousness. He founded the Aikido Club there in 1989 and was the Aikido Instructor at the P.E. Department for seven years.
Escamilla Sensei, Aikikai Rokudan (sixth degree black belt), was promoted at the January Kagami Baraki, 2025. He is a highly skilled construction supervisor, scout master and wilderness expert; he is one of those most responsible for the construction of our beautiful Dojo
Aaron Belko received his fourth dan in Kendo from the All United States Kendo Federation in 2009. A member of the Southern California Kendo Federation, Belko Sensei has been head instructor of Kendo at Redlands Aikikai for 15 years.
Belko Sensei also holds the Mokuroku rank in a kenjitsu school of Katori Shinto Ryu.
[Picture at left shows Belko Sensei with his teacher Park Jay Wook Sensei, Kendo Kyoshi 7th Dan]
