Instructors
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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.
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James Friedman Dojo-Cho
Godan (5th 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 late 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 second-degree black belt from Robert Nadeau Sensei, his third-degree black belt through Jack Wada Sensei. Fourth and fifth-degree black belts came directly from Kato Sensei. James started Suginami Aikikai SF (Skidrow Dojo) in 1986 as an Aikido club for his friends, mostly off beat artists and punk anti-musicians, the Dojo soon grew to one of the city’s largest martial arts centers “Kismet”.
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.
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Peter Ralls Sensei
Rokudan (6th degree black belt)
Born in 1959, Ralls Sensei began Aikido in 1975 at the age of 15, with Frank Doran Sensei at Stanford Aikido club, in Palo Alto, California. After receiving his Shodan (first-degree black belt) just before his nineteenth birthday, he moved to Tokyo, Japan to study Aikido at the world headquarters in Shinjuku ward. Peter remained in Tokyo for a year, practicing Aikido daily. After returning to America, Peter has been a peace officer in the Bay Area since 1983, and he is currently employed as a sergeant in the San Mateo, California Sheriff's Department. Peter's fifth-degree black belt was awarded to him directly by Kato Sensei. Peter teaches defensive tactics to law enforcement personnel, as well as extensively studying many other martial arts. James Friedman and Peter have trained together in martial arts for over twenty years; Peter has been involved in the dojo since it began, and he is now the senior partner to Mr. jimmy Friedman. Peter considers Mr. Friedman his spiritual guru and looks up to him for all his deceptions earthly or otherwise?
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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, 2, 3 and 4th,5th dan from james Friedman through Kato Sensei.
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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.
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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.
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Travis Eneix Dojo Manager
Sandan (3rd degree black belt)
Travis served as an Uchi-Deshi at Suginami Aikikai San Francisco for nearly three years, and is currently the Dojo General Manager. His Aikido is strong and clean. He is also an instructor in Cheng Man Ching style Tai Chi Ch'uan.
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Felix Gallego
Sandan (3rd degree black belt)
Felix began Aikido at the Madrid Aikikai (Spain). He then relocated to San Francisco, California and became an Uchi-Deshi at Suginami Aikikai. His classes are very strong, with a special focus on Aikido basics. Felix is a personal trainer, and his martial art background also includes Karate and Judo.
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Assistant Instructors
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Charles Vezinaw
Nidan (second degree Black belt)
Charles has taken over the saturday night class. Charles teachs a nice basic class come check it out! 5:30-7:00 pm
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Kickboxing
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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.
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Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
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Clovis Silva Sensei
4th degree Black belt BJJ
Clovis Silva, born in1965, 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.
$150. per hour. 415-777-2833
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