Suginami › Instructors

Instructors   Kato Hiroshi Shihan Hachidan (8th degree black belt) Born in Tokyo in 1935, Kato Sensei began Aikido training at the age of nineteen in 1954 at Hombu Dojo, under the instruction of O-Sensei. Kato Sensei trained daily at the dojo as well as spending long hours perfecting his internal practice; to this day he frequently visits mountain shrines and stays up all night practicing weapons and meditating. James Friedman had admired Kato Sensei's Aikido for many years before he was formally introduced to Kato Sensei in 1996, trained with him at Hombu Dojo, and initiated a correspondence. Kato Sensei was shortly thereafter invited to San Francisco, California. He now visits twice a year, teaching and overseeing the direction and testing for Suginami Aikikai San Francisco. He teaches full time in Tokyo at the Suginami Aikikai Tokyo Dojo, in Ogikubo. The ranks of all Suginami Aikikai SF instructors are registered with Hombu Dojo Aikido world headquarters in Tokyo Japan. Suginami Aikikai SF is an official branch Dojo of Suginami Aikikai Tokyo. An official Hombu Dojo affiliate.   James Friedman Dojo-Cho Rokudan, (6th degree black belt) Born in 1959, Friedman Sensei began Aikido training in 1980 at the age of twenty at the Oakland Aikido Institute, in Oakland, California. After one year he moved into the dojo as an uchi-deshi (live-in student). James lived in the dojo for eleven months, training many hours a day in a strict and demanding environment. After receiving his first-degree black belt in the Iwama style, he moved to San Francisco and continued his training at Turk Street Dojo around 1984. In the 80’s James started traveling to Tokyo at least two times a year to practice at Hombu dojo. In 1995 he met Kato Hiroshi Shihan at Hombu Dojo, shortly there after inviting him to San Francisco to teach his first San Francisco seminar. After one-year Suginami Aikikai San Francisco than known as, “Skidrow Dojo” became Kato Sensei’s first official branch Dojo in America. James Friedman became Kato Sensei’s first American student. James Friedman also had a very close relationship with the late master Terry Dobson, they had met at one of Terry’s verbal Aikido seminars and become close friends. James would invite Dobson sensei to San Francisco two times a year to teach intense two-week workshops. Terry had a profound and lasting influence on Friedman Sensei’s Aikido and overall views on the art. Respectfully Terry Dobson tought his last class at Skidrow AKA DojoSuginami Aikikai SF. Terry’s girlfriend Niki, gave James Friedman Terry’s Black Belt after he passed away. James received his first degree black belt at Oakland Aikido Institute (Iwama Style), second-degree black belt from Robert Nadeau Sensei, his third-degree black belt through Jack Wada Sensei. Fourth and fifth, sixth degree black belts came directly from Kato Sensei. James started Suginami Aikikai SF (Skidrow Dojo) in 1986 as an Aikido club for his friends. Friedman sensei’s approach to Aikido is unique he 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; he brings that intensity and focus into his teaching style in Aikido. Friedman Sensei is very dedicated to cross training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Thai Kick boxing. James is a Blue Belt in BJJ under Clovis Silva.   Peter Ralls Sensei, Senior Instructor Rokudan (6th degree black belt) Peter Ralls Sensei started martial arts at his junior high school martial arts club when he was twelve years old. At fifteen, in 1975, he began training in Aikido at the Stanford University Aikido Club under Frank Doran Sensei. Peter received his shodan in 1979, and then moved to Tokyo for fourteen months training at Hombu Dojo, where he first met Kato Sensei. Peter began his career in law enforcement in 1983 as a Reserve Police Officer for the city of Menlo Park, and retired in 2010 as a Sergeant for the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office. During that time Peter worked in assignments to Patrol, County Narcotics Task Force, Corrections, Gang Enforcement, and the Detective Bureau. He was a defensive tactics instructor, and headed the Sheriff's Office defensive tactics unit from 2001 to 2008. During his law enforcement career Peter was in a number of physical altercations with violent suspects where he gained practical experience in applying martial arts techniques and methods in real situations. Peter taught Aikido from 1983 until 1994 at Aikido of San Jose under Jack Wada Sensei, and began teaching with James Friedman Sensei at the original Skid Row Dojo soon after it opened. In addition to Aikido Peter has trained in a variety of other martial arts, and is currently practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, and Chen Tai Chi Chuan. Peter travels yearly to Japan to train with Kato Sensei and at Hombu Dojo.   Yves Chauvin Sensei Godan (5th degree black belt) Yves stared Aikido with Tamura Sensei in France in the late 70's. Yves teaches a strong and grounded class saturday mornings from 10:30-12:00 pm. Yves recieved his shodan from Frank Doran Sensei, and his 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th dan from James Friedman through Kato Sensei.   Mike Johnson Sensei Yondan (4th degree black belt) Mike has been at Suginami Aikikai for more than ten years; he teaches strong basics-and-beyond classes. A loyal and dedicated instructor, Mike for years has selflessly focused on helping students prepare for tests. Mike brings his extensive background in dance to a refined yet extremely practical exploration of martial arts, including an enthusiastic interest in weapons techniques.   Ace Gagliardi Sensei Yondan (4th degree black belt) Ezio ’Ace’ Gagliardi had already earned his black belt in Wado Ryu Karate from Hideki Hiraoka Sensei in San Francisco, California before starting in Aikido. His Aikido training began in San Jose with Jack Wada Sensei in October of 1987. In December of 1990, he moved back to San Francisco and continued his training with Steve Gengo Sensei at Aikido of Noe Valley. Ace holds various California teaching credentials and has many years of teaching experience with children of all ages. He began teaching Aikido to children in 1991 at the Aikido Arts Center in San Francisco. Ace has been a member of Suginami Aikikai, S.F. under the direction of Jim Friedman Sensei since June 1997. He established the Suginami Aikikai Kid’s Aikido Program in April of 2000 and currently teaches kid’s classes. Ace also teaches Aikido to adults with disabilities and special needs. Ace was awarded his Yon Dan (4th degree black belt) in April of 2006 and continues to train daily.   Kimo White Yandan (4th Degree Black Belt)   Doug Uyeno Sensei Yondan (4th degree black belt) Doug started studying Aikido in 1984 at the Turk Street Dojo. He joined Suginami Aikikai in 1997. He has trained and taught at noon for over 20 years, finding it provides a perfect balance to his evening work in fine dining. He invites you to train with him and other restaurant workers, as well as some dedicated civic center professionals who like to spend an hour away from their desks, stretching, breaking a sweat and harmonizing with universal ki.   Travis Eneix Dojo Manager Yondan (4th degree black belt) Travis has been studying martial arts since 1990. He started with Cheng Man-Ching style Tai Chi Chu'an. In 1994 he took up Yang family style with Sifu Bill Chin of the Golden Gate Park Tai Chi Association, achieving Instructor rank in that association in three years. Along the way Travis also studied Pa-Kua for four years and Wing Chun Kung Fu for three. In 1996 Travis found Suginami Aikikai (Shin Bu Kan at that time) and fell in love with Aikido. He has maintained his personal Tai Chi practice, but put aside formal study when he became Uchi Deshi in 1999. He lived at the dojo for just under three years. Travis holds a 4th degree black belt through Kato Hiroshi Sensei and James Friedman Sensei. Travis has been instructing at Suginami since 2001, and serves as general manager of the dojo. His Aikido is strongly informed by his Tai Chi practice, with a firm interest in energy practice, breath work, and control of angles. Travis has recently stepped back into formal Tai Chi practice and has started teaching Cheng Man-Ching style at Suginami.   Daisy Eneix Sandan (3rd degree Black belt) Daisy teaches a strong and spiritual class, working on Aikido basics and ukemi along with a great work-out. Daisy was an Uchi Deshi at Suginami Aikikai, San Francisco. She began her Aikido training at Oberlin College in 1988 and continued under Kanai Sensei on the East Coast before she came to San Francisco. Her martial arts background includes Tae Kwon Do and Capoeira.   Cielo Oreste Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt) In 1997, Cielo Oreste began studying Kenpo just north of Boston, then later relocated to San Francisco in 2003. In her search for a new Kenpo school, she accidentally stumbled upon Aikido at Suginami Aikikai. After meeting James Friedman Sensei and observing a class, she decided to join and has been an enthusiastic part of the dojo family since 2004. Cielo received her 1st degree black belt in 2007 through Kato Hiroshi Sensei and James Friedman Sensei, and her second degree black belt in 2011. At Suginami, she has become notorious for her gnome-like stature and voracious appetite for both food and Aikido. She currently co-teaches the kids' Aikido class with Daisy Eneix, and teaches the adults' morning class on Wednesdays. Kickboxing   Vajra Granelli Vajra Granelli is a third-generation boxer in San Francisco; he has been boxing for 23 years and kickboxing for 18 years. He started teaching 10 years ago and in that time has created fighting programs and trained fighters all over the world. He has trained many golden glove champions here in San Francisco as well as California U.S.A boxing champions. Over the years he has worked with many world champions in the boxing and kickboxing world. Along with his years of experience, he brings a long strong family boxing tradition to his teaching. Vajra also holds the rank of Nidan in Aikido. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu   Clovis Silva Sensei 5th degree Black belt BJJ (Under Carlson Gracie) Clovis Silva, Clovis grew up in Rio. He began training as a teenager with the late master, Carlson Gracie. Clovis won many title fights and was 4 time Brazilian BJJ champion. Today he dedicates his time to teaching private lessons to people of all ages and levels. His goal in teaching is to help build a solid foundation in self-defense through the teachings of BJJ. As well helping a student build confidence and self-esteem. Clovis was an original member of Carlson Gracie's elite team. Private lessons are available, please call dojo to book classes. 415-777-2833   Adam Flissinger Black-Belt BJJ (Under-Clovis Silva)