Instructors
Philip Greenwood began training in aikido in the mid-1970's at the Pasadena Aikikai which was founded by Tadaharu Wakabayashi. Wakabayashi Sensei trained under Koichi Tohei Sensei, Seigo Yamaguchi Sensei, Hiroshi Tada Sensei and Kisshomaru Ueshiba at Aikikai Hombu. Pasadena Aikikai hosted many top instructors in the aikido world including Mitsunari Kanai Sensei, Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei, Kazuo Chiba Sensei and many others. At the time the dojo was under the direction of Gene Anderson and in association with Francis Takahashi, Shihan with whom Greenwood Sensei also trained. Greenwood Sensei was an instructor at the Pasadena Aikikai for many years before he moved to Temecula in 1990. He then trained for many years under Mitsugi Saotome, Shihan a personal student of the founder of Aikido and his leading student Hiroshi Ikeda, Shihan. He currently holds the rank of godan (5th degree black belt) in Aikido and godan in iaido (Aiki Toho Iai) through Koji Yoshida, Sensei, Shoji Nishio's appointed representative to the U.S. Greenwood Sensei founded Greenwood Aikido in 1991. The dojo is affiliated with Nishio Ryu Aikido through Koji Yoshida, Sensei and the Aikikai Foundation Honbu Dojo in Tokyo, Japan. Dr. Greenwood has also maintained a busy chiropractic practice in Temecula and Murrieta for the past 20 years.
John Johnson started training with Greenwood Sensei on the opening day of Greenwood Aikido in 1991 and has trained diligently ever since. John teaches as well as assists in many ways in the operations of the dojo. He was awarded the rank of shodan (1st degree black belt) in Aikido through Mitsugi Saotome, Sensei in association with Aikido Schools of Ueshiba. He currently holds the rank of nidan (2nd degree black belt) in Aikido through Greenwood Sensei in association with Nishio Ryu Aikido as well as nidan in Iaido (Aiki Toho Iai).
Pradeep Nair started training in Aikido at Zenshinkan dojo in Worcester, Massachusetts. On moving to Temecula, he started training Nishio Ryu with Greenwood Sensei at Greenwood Aikido. He currently holds the rank of shodan (1st degree black belt) in Aikido through Greenwood Sensei in association with Nishio Ryu Aikido as well as a shodan in Iaido (Aiki Toho Iai).
Born in Paris, Didier Chatelain grew up in Morocco and France. Following a sixteen-month tour with the French Foreign Legion in Tahiti, he attended college in London and traveled extensively before settling in California. He joined Greenwood Aikido in 2005 where he’s been training in Nishio Ryu Aikido and Aiki Toho Iai under Philip Greenwood, Paul Steinbrook and John Johnson. Didier regularly attends Aikido seminars with Koji Yoshida Shihan, Francis Takahashi Shihan, Robert Bryner and Stephi Varjan. He was recently awarded the rank of shodan (1st degree black belt) in Iaido through Greenwood Sensei.
"The study of the movement of the body is the study the movement of the mind. Understanding the mind leads to a deeper understanding of yourself. A deeper understanding of yourself leads to a deeper understanding others. A deeper understanding of others leads to compassion."
~Philip Greenwod, Sensei
