Albuquerque Shin-Budo Kai Teaching Staff

Ralph Bryan Sensei, 5th Dan and Chief Instructor at ASBK. Ralph first experienced aikido during a semester of study at the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 1976 – attracted to its philosophical underpinnings and noncompetitive approach. Returning to Austin, TX that same year, he practiced with the Austin Ki Society for 2 years. Medical school intervened from 1978 – 1982 after which Ralph resumed aikido practice with Mitsugi Saotome Shihan at Aikido Shobukan Dojo in Washington, DC from 1982 – 1987. Professional obligations intervened again when he joined the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta in 1987. He resumed aikido practice in 1994, training sequentially under Wade Ishimoto Sensei and Jim Redel Sensei until 2006. Shizuo Imaizumi Shihan certified Ralph as a Chief Instructor in March 2006 and promoted him to Godan on September 1st, 2016. Since retirement from CDC in 2010, Ralph is increasingly focused on aikido and related pursuits. He is the editor and principal author of The Aikido of Shin-Budo Kai, A Guide to Principles and Practice. He also trains in Shinto Muso Ryu Jodo under the auspices of Phil Relnick Sensei.

 

 

Jennifer Miyashiro Sensei, 4th Dan, Assistant Chief Instructor. Jennifer’s first exposure to aikido was in the 1980s when she watched her cousin participate in a demonstration on Maui. Although she was impressed by the fluid movements and power of the art, it wasn’t until 2001 that she decided to give it a try herself. That year she began her aikido training in Shin-Budo Kai style aikido in Albuquerque. Since 2006, she has studied under Ralph Bryan Sensei. After years of practice with her fellow aikidoka, she is still impressed by the powerful grace that this martial art can generate. Jennifer was promoted to Yondan in October 2019.

 

 

 

Adam Hernandez Sensei, 3rd Dan, ASBK Instructor. Adam began aikido in Albuquerque in 1994 under Wade Ishimoto Sensei. In 1996 when Ishimoto Sensei relocated, Adam helped to establish a new dojo location and continued under Jim Redel Sensei, who left SBK in 2006. Since that time, Adam has trained under Ralph Bryan Sensei, earning his Shodan in 2007 and Nidan in 2010. Adam was promoted to Sandan in 2018.

 


Nick Wechselberger, 3rd Dan, ASBK Assistant Instructor. Throughout the years, Nick has trained at several dojos throughout New Jersey, Washington state, and New Mexico, as well as attending aikido summer camps and instructor training seminars. During his time at Southwestern Aikikai in Albuquerque, Nick was enrolled in the kenshusei (instructor training) program and was uchideshi (dojo resident-understudy); while there, he received the rank of Shodan from Dennis Abbott Sensei in 1998. Subsequently, at New Mexico Aikikai, Nick was promoted to Nidan by Kristina Varjan Shihan in 2008. His particular interest is learning Aikido with his fellow students through ukemi, the art of receiving the throw, and connection between training partners. Nick has been with ASBK since 2015 and was promoted to Sandan in October 2019.

 


David Ryan, 2nd Dan, ASBK Assistant Instructor. Dave’s training in aikido began when he joined ASBK in 1999. He trained under Jim Redel Sensei until 2004, when he left for a two year hiatus. He resumed training under Ralph Bryan Sensei in 2006 and has trained continually since that time. Dave achieved Shodan at the ripe young age of 65. Outside of the dojo he is active in many outdoor activities and has written several hiking and exploring books including the latest edition of 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Albuquerque. He maintains a blog on hiking and exploring at gentleartofwandering.com. Dave was promoted to Nidan in October, 2016.

 

Jacob Park Sensei, 1st Dan (Otachi Ryu), Iaido Chief Instructor; 2nd Dan SBK Aikido, ASBK Assistant Instructor. Jacob began his martial arts training in Shin-Budo Kai aikido under Ralph Bryan Sensei in 2006 and began training in Otachi Ryu Iaido under Rodger Mayeda Sensei in 2010. Both Park Sensei and Mayeda Sensei trained directly under Oneman Otachi Sensei, who first brought Otachi Ryu Iaido to the United States. When Mayeda Sensei retired in 2018, he and Oneman Otachi Sensei appointed Jacob as Chief Instructor for Otachi Ryu Iaido. Oneman Sensei has trained in iaido and karate-do for over 50 years, having begun his training as a young child in Japan, where he was born. He traces his samurai lineage to the Kamakura Period and General Odachi Muneuji. Otachi Ryu Iaido is a unique family form, but is technically similar to Eishen Ryu styles of iaido.

 


   
 
10500 Candelaria, NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112     505-262-9383