Greenwood Aikido and Japanese Swordsmanship

Varjan Sensei, 6th Dan Aiki ToHo Iai, 5th Dan Aikido, 5th Dan Aikido Weapons. Varjan began studying aikido in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1980 in an Iwama Style Dojo under Morihiro Saito Sensei, (now called the "Danish Aikido Union", with both Iwama & Nishio people) and received Shodan from Nishio Sensei 1986 in Denmark. Varjan came to the USA in 1990 and opened a Nishio Dojo in Denver, Colorado until 2007. Varjan received 5th Dan from Nishio Sensei 2003 and is the author of two books on the material of Nishio Sensei, "The Nishio Sensei Aikido Notebook" Vol.1 Aikido / To Ho & Vol.2 Weapons. Sensei has been in the San Fernando Valley area since 2008, received 5th Dan Aikido Weapons 2008 & 6th Dan Aikido To Ho Iai from Yoshida Sensei in 2009. Varjan sensei has been guest instructor in Denmark, Seattle WA, San Antonio TX and here in California in recent years and plans on opening a Nishio Dojo in the San Fernando Valley in the future.

Philip Greenwood was guest instructor along with Francis Takahashi, Jay Bell and Ray Feliciano at Pasadena Aikikai's Annual Friendship Seminar at The Pasadena Japanese Cultural Center.
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Koji Yoshida Shihan has been a direct student of Shoji Nishio for over 34 years. He holds the rank of 7th dan in Aikido Aikikai, 6th dan Renshi in Iaido (Musoshinden-ryu), and 7th dan in Nishio-ryu Iaido. Shoji Nishio appointed Yoshida as represntative to the U.S.A., France and Ukraine at 2000. Yoshida Sensei is one of the leading technical authorities on Nishio Aikido in the world. He covers the fundamental and core principles of Nishio Budo through empty-hand techniques expressed with bokken, jo, and sword. He is also an accomplished Calligraphy teacher.
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Koji Yoshida conducted a two-day seminar in Santa Monica.

Rober Bryner has been in martial arts for over 50 years and is chief instructor at the Shotakekan Dojo in West Los Angeles. Bryner Sensei is 6th dan Aikido, 6th dan Ryu Te, 7th dan Oyata Shin Shu Ho with dan rankings in iaido and judo as well. Bryner Sensei is a long time student of Nishio-Ryu Aikido.
Chikako Bryner has trained in Aikido for 25 years. She is a 4th dan Aikido, 4th dan Ryu Te and 5th dan Iaido. Chikako has also served as translator for many visiting sensei from Japan including Shoji Nishio and Koji Yoshida.
Read about it here. See pics.

Outdoor training on the beach to celebrate the start of summer! See pics.