TWO RIVERS AIKIKAI - Key Persons
Portland artist Christa Grimm creates murals, paintings and large scale site-specific commissions for both public and private clients. Alive with color, movement and strong, confident brush strokes her images celebrate natural beauty and human vitality.
Lynn Marshall sensei (she, her), 6th Dan in Aikido, is also a direct student of Mitsunari Kanai Shihan and a Head Instructor of the dojo. Lynn Sensei practiced karate for a year before starting Aikido at New England Aikikai in 1985. Lynn sensei's extension and precision demonstrate that one does not have to be big to be effective. Her ability to break down a technique and focus on details gives students a lot to think about and work with in the beginner and basics program at Two Rivers. Lynn sensei has been practicing at Two Rivers Aikikai since July 1998. She teaches a wide variety of techniques and often includes bokken suburi and jo kata in her classes. With a strong emphasis on fundamental foundation of techniques, Lynn sensei demonstrates advanced techniques with clarity and precision for students in mixed level classes. She is a reliable reference for students preparing for kyu and dan tests. In addition to Aikido, Lynn sensei practices yoga and brings a wealth of knowledge to our students about proper stretching to gain flexibility and strength and to prevent injury.
Spiros Koyanis sensei (he, him), 6th Dan in Aikido and 5th Dan in Iaido is a direct student of the late Mitsunari Kanai Shihan and practiced under Kanai Sensei's guidance for twenty one years. Spiros sensei began his training at New England Aikikai in 1983 and has been teaching Aikido to adults and children since 1989. In 2001, he became Head Instructor of Two Rivers Aikikai. He is a firm believer in the effectiveness of non violence and as such honors the memory of Kanai Sensei in his instruction by paying close attention to Kanai Sensei's dynamic theories of the unified body and the interaction between uke's ki and nage's blending and redirecting of that ki based on budo. Spiros sensei believes that Aikido is a fluid martial art that continues to grow and change with more emphasis placed on equity both on and off the mat. His Aikido classes often include practice with bokken, jo and tanto (wooden weapons) because the precision required with weapons complements and enhances our style of Aikido which pays close attention to "ma-ai" both before and after an Aikido technique allowing for the effectiveness of non-violence as self defense.