Our Instructors

Aikido is a unique package of athletics, meditation and community, and I was instantly and permanently hooked. I earned my black belt rank from Bookman sensei here at the Tenzan Aikido dojo, and in 2010, I became the dojo manager. I've been teaching either dancing or Aikido for 45 some years, including 10 years at the Pacific Northwest Ballet school. I have degrees in Psychology and Education from the University of Washington where my focus was the neuroscience of exercise. This academic study informs my personal Aikido training as well as my teaching. At Tenzan, I teach the preschoolers, the 6 and up kids, Teens and Advanced kids and the adults. I also lead the Women's Self Defense and Empowerment seminars.

In addition to holding the rank of Godan (5th degree black belt) in Aikido, he holds a black belt in iaido and a black belt in karate. Jonathan also studies and practices Rinzai Zen and leads a meditation group at Tenzan every Thursday.

"For me, aikido practice is about being here now, in this very moment. See, feel, and act without hesitation, fear, or self. In that way, the practice is alive and reveals something new every time. What joy!"

Five years with Koichi Tohei Sensei solidified a strong foundation in aikido. After returning home for a time, I was drawn back to Japan and trained under Soshi Okamoto Sensei, Roppokai aikijujutsu for five years. I joined Bruce Bookman Sensei, Tenzan, in 2023, good fortune continues!

Before settling in the Pacific Northwest, Bobby lived for 2 decades in Brooklyn, NY, training with Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan, Hal Lehrman sensei and others. His classes focus on learning the basics with relaxed, focused movement and awareness. Bobby works as a software engineer, applying day-to-day Aiki principles with people and computers.

Justin's extra work in weapons led him to study Musho Shinden-Ryu Iaido and earn his Shodan from Bookman Sensei in February 2022.

"I spent more than 20 years trying to find a way back to Aikido. When my kids were old enough to start training, I got my chance and I took it. Along with Aikido I have been very fortunate to study Iaido under Bookman Sensei. Iaido has helped to temper my Aikido: being present in the moment, making each movement decisive, experiencing each kata (form), and striving to feel each kata's seasons is inspiring."

Aikido centers me and helps me reconnect with the best parts of myself. Practice gives me greater capacity to accept the world around me and makes me a better partner, friend, mother, business owner, and physician.

I feel privileged to be practicing Aikido under the tutelage of Sensei Bookman. Visiting seminars and dojos across the country and internationally has made me realize how amazing Sensei Bookman truly is — not only for his depth of knowledge and love for the art, but also for his dedication to his students.

I started assistant teaching the kids classes for my daughters' kids and teens classes. I find so much joy in sharing the love of aikido with students of all ages. I especially enjoy the moment when my students have the 'ah ha' moment, or when I can tell they are truly in their body.

When not at the dojo, Matt represents Washington physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals in litigation and licensing investigations. His practice of Aikido influences his approach to conflict management and the practice of law.

I apply the same principles of teaching on and off the mat emphasizing deep understanding of fundamental principles, techniques to improve situational awareness and sensitivity which lead to efficiency and effectiveness. For me aikido is a mirror into life, relationships and work. Aikido is 'effort responsive' - show up with the right mindset and you will learn. I believe that if you apply just the right amount of pressure at the right time at the right place and you can move a partner, a group or change the world.

I deeply appreciate the community of Tenzan Aikido and the leadership of Bookman Sensei and Fischer Sensei for creating a place that is welcoming, meets learners where they are, and challenges us to move through resistance and stuckness to embody more of our power, fluidity, grace, and essence. The lessons from aikido practice show up in how I meet daily challenges, how I connect in relationship, and how I serve others as a mental health therapist.

Drawn back to Aikido by Sensei Bookman's unique, practical applications that integrates Aikido principles with multiple self-defense methods, Kavan found a renewed path in the Budo lifestyle—one that harmonizes mind, body, and spirit through continuous practice.

A National Board–Certified Health and Wellness Coach and integrative health professor at the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS), Kavan brings a grounded, heart-centered perspective to training. His practice emphasizes curiosity, presence, and relational awareness, inviting students to explore how the principles of Aikido extend beyond the dojo into daily life as a path of balance and compassionate strength.

She first wandered into the dojo after a friend insisted she'd "probably like this" and describes the moment as walking the sidewalk, expecting to step into a puddle, instead finding herself still falling in a deep well.

Ellen is currently in the practice of soaking up every nuance from Sensei Bookman, and trying to bring his tanden-led techniques to her teaching. Her goal: to help students feel the delight and power of being attuned with another person, whether you're throwing or getting thrown.