Head Instructor: Chetan Prakash Sensei, Aikikai Rokudan (sixth degree black belt)
Chetan Prakash has been practicing 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 and currently servers as its vice-president, as well as fulfilling other functions, including 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.
Deputy Head Instructor: Luis Escamilla, Aikikai Godan (fifth degree black belt)
Escamilla Sensei, Fifth Dan, Aikikai, was promoted at the January Kagami Baraki, 2018. 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.
Assistant Instructors
Mary Taylor-Bogens, 2nd Dan Jay Walters, 2nd Dan
Venu Kanaparthy, 2nd Dan Wayne Cawelty, 1st Dan
Agustin Equiha-Ortiz, 1st Dan John Ynami, 1st Dan
Kids Aikido Class Instructors
John Ynami Devin Gamundoy Agustin Equiha-Ortiz
1st degree black belt 1st degree black belt 1st degree black belt