David Ito Sensei began training in Aikido in 1997 and trained directly under Reverend Kensho Furuya. Ito Sensei holds the rank of 6th Dan and became the Chief Instructor and Dojo-cho of the Aikido Center of Los Angeles upon Furuya Sensei’s passing in 2007. He is dedicated to preserving traditional Aikido principles through disciplined, and mindful training that is rooted in classical form and spirit, but also balanced with practical and modern teaching methods.
Ito Sensei is a regular contributor to El Budoka Magazine, The Aiki Dojo Message, and The Aiki Dojo Newsletter. He also appears on The Aiki Dojo Podcast and in the Aikido Center of Los Angeles’ 2-Minute Technique video series.

Andrew Blevins Sensei began his Aikido journey in 1985, first training in the non-competitive Tomiki tradition before transitioning in the early 1990s to traditional Aikido in Denver, Colorado. His practice emphasizes three core areas: the relationship between weapons training and empty-hand principles, preserving the art’s martial integrity, and strong kihon fundamentals as the foundation of effective Aikido. Founder of Kiryu Aikido in Colorado in 2003, later expanding to a second dojo in California in 2013, he continues more than four decades of study focused on connection, continuity of training, and fostering long-term, connected practice. He is a member of the California Aikido Association under Patricia Hendricks Shihan.

Edgar Johansson Sensei has been the founder and dojo cho of Denver Aikikai for over 20 years. He is a proud aikido “mutt” with teachers and influences in several styles of Aikido throughout his 35 years of training. He has proudly brought many students to dan ranks and leads a thriving dojo that focuses on martial exploration and principled technique.

Edgar Sensei is also the founder of the Aikido Summit event in Colorado, which has been happening since 2000. This very special event brings the local Aikido community together once a year and is beloved among Colorado aikidoka and beyond.