Instructors

Head Instructor

The head instructor of our dojo is Don Ragush Sensei. He is a 5th degree black belt (Godan). He has been practicing for more than 20 years and believes that everyone can find what they are looking for in Aikido. His calm demeanor on and off the mats is proof of this, as he wants everyone to train to achieve what they seek personally.

In his life off the mats, Don is a nurse and enjoys basketball, running, and gardening.

Don Sensei teaches on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.

Assistant Instructor

Dr. Yancy Orchard is a 3rd degree black belt (Sandan). Ask anyone and they will tell you that Yancy has awesome technique. It's the type of technique you think about for a day or two, (sometimes that is how long it takes for the "feeling" of it to disappear). Yancy also instructs Jiulong Baguazhang as taught by Dr. John Painter and he holds a black belt in Karate.

He is a chiropractor in his daily life and has his own practice; some of us believe he only became a chiropractor to increase his "effectiveness" in martial arts.

Yancy teaches the Wednesday class.