INSTUCTORS

Rafael Michael Mithuna

5th Dan

Education

• Oakland Aikido Institute - 1975
• Arizona Aikikai, 5th Dan, Phoenix, AZ - 1975 to present
• Studied under: Jon Takagi Sensei, 1975 to 1984, Tsuneji Sakakibara Sensei, 1975 to present, T. K. Chiba Shihan, 1986 to 1988, Mitsugi Saotome Shihan, 1989 to present, Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan, 1989 to present
• Arizona State University, BFA Summa Cum Laude – 1983
• Permaculture Dry-Lands Institute, Basic Permaculture Design Course 2001

 

Organizations

• Member, Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (International training organization of Mitsugi Saotome Shihan)
• Member, International Aikido Foundation of Aikido World Headquarters, Tokyo, Japan (International organization that oversees technical training and authorizes rank)
• Member, Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association
• Certified Solar Technician, ARISEIA

Experience

• Thirty years experience as an instructor for Arizona Aikido, Phoenix Arizona, (1976 to present). In this role I have taught regular classes at the home dojo as well as at Arizona State University, Prehab of Mesa, the Sioux Indian YMCA, Cheyenne River Reservation (as a camp counsellor and camp director for Reservation youth), and for the City of Phoenix, Parks and Recreation Dept.
• I hold a fifth degree black belt (Godan) Aikikai Foundation, Tokyo, Japan.
• Founder and Chief Instructor of Arizona Aikido’s KatsuJinKen Dojo in Prescott, Arizona.
• Board of Directors, Arizona Aikido (Statewide) 1984 to present.

 

Sharon Seymour

4th Dan

Experience

Sharon Seymour began her Aikido training in Denver in 1983 and currently holds the rank of Yondan (4th level black belt). In 1984 she began assisting in children’s classes, and she has been teaching at all levels and ages since 1985 in Denver, Tucson and Prescott. She initiated the AikidoKIDS! program in 1994 in Prescott, developing a curriculum and ranking program which has since been adopted by Aikido at the Center in Tucson as well. Participating as an instructor at the annual Arizona-wide Osu! gathering in Flagstaff each fall, she has also led the early-morning meditation classes at the regional Prescott Fall Aikido Camp for the past 7 years. She was invited to participate in a national seminar for instructors of children’s Aikido classes in 2006, and has been invited to return in 2008. She has been on the Board of Directors for Aikido at the Center (Tucson) for 3 years, and is currently President of the Board.

Earning her Master’s Degree in Library Science at the University of Arizona in 1991, she accepted a position with the Business/Science/Technology Division of Chicago Public Library. Sharon presently works as the Lead Librarian for Adult Services at Prescott Public Library, where she has been employed since 1993. She oversess a staff of four professional librarians and five volunteers, and manages all adult outreach, marketing and programming services for the downtown library.

Her extensive 15 years experience in outreach and marketing at the Prescott Public Library gives her both the ability and understanding necessary for building the community support and membership of Katsujinken Dojo and enrolling local public and private schools in their AikidoKIDS! program to teach children important life skills in a fun, exciting, and enriching manner. Classes also include training in self-defense, safety awareness, concentration, and physical fitness.