Instructors

Chief Instructor

Ray Feliciano Sensei 4th Dan

BACKGROUND

Ray Feliciano, a 4th degree black belt, is the Chief Instructor of Pasadena Aikikai. He began his training in 1988 at Pasadena Aikikai. Shihan Francis Takahashi awarded him both shodan & nidan certificates (1st & 2nd degree black belt, respectively). Feliciano Sensei received his sandan and yondan certificates (3rd and 4th degree, respectively) from Shihan Yamada.

In the past, Feliciano Sensei trained in Shotokan karate and other styles of aikido. Currently, he also practices and holds a black belt in Shorinji Kempo.

He attends UNITED STATES AIKIDO FEDERATION seminars throughout the year to enrich his aikido skills continually.

PHILOSOPHY

Feliciano Sensei’s approach in martial arts is to delve into learning and addressing issues that stem from juho and goho aspects as well as groundwork. Juho usually refers to joint locks and throwing; whereas, Goho refers to striking arts.

Sensei

Barney Prentice

Barney began his Aikido training in 1986, at Pasadena Aiki Kai, under Chief Instructors Gene Anderson Sensei and Francis Takahashi Shihan. Sensei’s Phil Greenwood and Tony Kanashiro were also very influential in the development of his art. Barney is a Neurologist and a Jungian analyst whose background in biology and psychology informs his experience and understanding of Aikido. His teaching begins with the premise that Aikido is transmitted body to body, and that you learn the art by learning ukemi. His classes emphasize the principles of Aikido: center, posture, balance, extension, connection; moving off the line of attack, entering to the heart of the conflict, blending with the energy of the attacker, and leading the conflict to a resolution. He places special emphasis on the role of atemi in facilitating blending, and shifting the center of energy in a conflict from uke to nage. He struggles to demonstrate the central importance, and infinite difficulty, of acting out of a Loving Spirit even in the face of attack.

Jim Moore

Started Boxing in High School in the Police Athletic League. Enrolled in The University of California All University Boxing Champion All League Boxing champion started Aikido in January of 1980 Current rank 3rd Dan Aikido Philosophy: As O’Sensai taught Do not conflict-stay in harmony. This means to me -Do not fight, figure it out and defend yourself if absolutely necessary. Pedagogic Philosophy: Keep it simple, understandable and don’t over think it. Do not allow shortcuts. Train on a regular basis. Avoid injury but return to practice after injury. Work to make the basics reflexive.

Brad Pearson

Bobby Hewell

Bobby became acquainted with the wonderful martial art of Aikido in 1997, at the age of 19. His training as a white belt was spent under the instruction of Senseis Prentice, Moore, Pearson, Nicodemo, and Feliciano. Shihan Yamada awarded him the rank of Shodan. He believes that ideally, Aikido is practiced for life and developing proficiency in the Art positively impacts other aspects of one’s life. Bobby strives for balance in his Aikido repertoire but is particularly fond of katami-waza and street application Aikido. He enjoys intense but joyful practice and also believes that the physical body must be properly prepared before the Aikidoka can truly comprehend the more important “internal” aspects of the Art such as the use of ki, extension, lowered center, and emptiness of mind.