Our Dojo

Albuquerque Aikikai is affiliated with Aikikai Hombu Dojo

Our Chief Instructor is T.S. Okuyama Shihan, 7th Dan.

Front Range Aikikai is Albuquerque Aikikai's sister dojo in Denver, Colorado. We have established a new parent organization: Aikido Okuyama Jyuku, which includes the Albuquerque and Denver dojos. This new organization is registered with Hombu Dojo in Japan, and we will continue our close collaboration with Kurita Shihan of Kurita Juku Aiki in Mexico.

Instructors

Chief Instructor T.S. Okuyama has studied Aikido for nearly 50 years in both the United States and Japan in the direct lineage of Morihei Ueshiba O-Sensei, the founder of Aikido. Okuyama Sensei is a native of Japan and began his training in 1972 under the late A. Tohei Shihan, 8th Dan. Okuyama Sensei earned a degree in engineering and returned to Japan in 1976, where he studied at Hombu Dojo in Tokyo and Gessoji Temple with H. Tada Shihan, 9th Dan. He returned to the US in 1979. In 1981, he began training under the late T.K. Chiba Shihan, 8th Dan, in San Diego.

Okuyama Sensei founded Great Lakes Aikikai in 1988 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He also taught Aikido at the University of Michigan. On January 12, 2014, Kagamibiraki, he received the rank of 7th Dan from Doshu. He also holds the title of Shihan (grand master). He relocated to Albuquerque in 2001.

Okuyama Sensei studied Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido under T.K. Chiba Shihan and T. Mitsuzuka Shihan for nearly 40 years and holds the rank of 6th Dan with a Shihan title.

Ron Druva, Dojo Advisor

Accountant and illustrator Ron Druva started Aikido in 1980 and has trained under Nakazono Sensei, Chiba Sensei, Abbot Sensei, Hasan Sensei and Okuyama Sensei. He holds a rank of 5th Dan in Aikido and Shodan in Iaido.

"Aikido for me has been a way of balancing my life and dealing with my problems and weaknesses as well as utilizing my strengths. I began my training as a warrior and for violent self defense. Over the last 40 odd years, this has evolved into a desire for non-damaging control of conflict and a search for enlightenment. Along the way, I have found and become part of a great school and good friends."

David Bowers, Shidoin/Assistant Instructor

David is a research engineer who began training in Aikido in 1995 at the urging of his father. He holds the rank of 6th Dan in Aikido and 5th Dan in Iaido.

"I have practiced Aikido and Iaido for 25 years. For the last 20 years I have studied both of these arts with my teacher, T. Okuyama Sensei. I also hold certifications from the Tai Chi for Health Institute. After 20 years working as an engineer, I made a career change and became a physical therapist assistant. My martial arts training has served me well in this transition and as a life path. May it help you in your journey. "

Steven Gould, Shidoin/Assistant Instructor

Steve is a writer and has been practicing Aikido since 1995. He holds the rank of 5th Dan in Aikido and 4th Dan in Iaido. He had previously trained in Judo and Karate, but came to Aikido seeking a martial art he could practice for the rest of his life and that would give him the option of defending himself without doing lasting harm to his attacker. He is the main teacher for the dojo's kids classes.

Sophia Bowers, Fuku-shidoin/Assistant Instructor

Sophia holds the rank of 4th Dan in Aikido and 3rd Dan in Iaido.

"Aikido is both a challenging and rewarding practice for me - you never stop learning. As my life has changed and evolved, so has my Aikido practice. What has remained the same for me is finding analogies between my practice on the mat and everyday life."

Amanda Kooser, Fuku-shidoin/Assistant Instructor

Amanda is a professional journalist, musician and writer. She has been training under Okuyama Shihan since 2009. She holds the rank of 3rd Dan.

"I came to Aikido because I was attracted by the noncompetitive philosophy and the intense but fun physical training. I love that we still focus on the martial origins of Aikido at our dojo. It keeps my mind, my body and my spirit engaged."

Vincent Werito, Fuku-Shidoin/Assistant Instructor

Vincent is an associate professor at UNM in the College of Education and Human Sciences. He has been training under Okuyama Shihan since 2008. He holds the rank of 3rd Dan in Aikido and Shodan in Iaido.

“For me Aikido helps me to be balanced and successful in all aspects of my life. I find many parallels between Aikido and my own Indigenous philosophy of living a harmonious life while also training the mind, body and spirit to be prepared for any challenges I may face.”