A peaceful approach to the ancient Japanese Budo traditionsBriefly noted Aikido is a precious gift, founded, refined and passed on for all of us to continue to develop by Master Morihei Ueshiba affectionately known as O’Sensei or Great Teacher. Aikido is a new martial art, or shin budo, established by O’Sensei during his lifetime (1883-1969). While new chronologically speaking, Aikido itself is based on martial techniques and traditions reaching back over 800 years. Aikido teaches fluid movements that redirect an opponent’s energy with throws, flips, other off-balancing moves and numerous hand and wrist locking techniques. It is a non-competitive art. Each practitioner works only to better oneself and fellow students. The dojo (training hall) is a safe and clean environment where cooperation and community are reinforced. We encourage anyone interested to stop by during regular class times to observe or try a class and learn more about our practice.
AikidoWay Of Harmony
Aikido Instructors
Jaff Raji
Head Instructor
Jaff has been a fulltime Budo student and instructor for more than 20 years. He is ranked Godan in Aikido, Kuden in Iaido, and Shomokuroku in Jodo. He teaches seminars year round on an international schedule that includes more than 15 countries. He studied aikido with Tamura Nobuyoshi Sensei and traveled to many seminars as his assistant. Jaff studies Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido with M Tiki Shewan Sensei, and Shinto Muso Ryu Jodo with Pascal Krieger Sensei. In addition to leading Ecole de Budo RAJI, Jaff is an instructor of the European Federations of JODO and IAIDO. Previously he was National Technical Manager for the French Federation of Aikido and Budo (F.F.A.B).
Michael Selin
Advanced Instructor
Michael Selin began training Judo under Tsai Sensei in 1989 in Taiwan. During this same period, he also began training Aikido in 1991 under Lee Ching Nan Sensei, and received Shodan with the Taiwan Aikido Federation and the Aikikai in Japan in 1994. In 1997 He received his Shodan with the USJI in Paramus, New Jersey under Harry Glackin Sensei. In 2000 he met Jaff Raji and began his training with the Ecole De Budo. Michael received his advanced instructors license from Raji Sensei in 2008. He started training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2007, and received his blackbelt from Tim Cartmell in 2017. Michael has also taken classes in Extreme Close Quarters Concepts and related methods from Craig Douglas and firearm courses from Mark Brinski.
Rick Bortnick
Instructor
Rick is a lifelong athlete who has studied martial arts for more than 25 years. He is a sandan in Aikido who has taught adults and children for the past 11 years and has a huge wealth of experience available to anyone who seeks it.
Matt Wood
Instructor
“The first 24 years have gone by quickly!” Matt Wood first got on the mat in March 1993, training at the “old” Seattle Aikikai under the instruction of Bruce Bookman Sensei from 1993-97. Soon training 40-50 hours a week, Matt achieved USAF Shodan in 1997 and traveled extensively to pursue a variety of teaching and teachers in Aikido, attending seminars in Colorado, Florida, Denmark, the UK and even Russia. From 1997-2001, Matt trained under Malory Graham Sensei first of Puget Sound Aikikai, subsequently the “new” Seattle Aikikai, under the aegis of Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan. Along the way, Matt also trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, most often affiliated with the Machado schools of Los Angeles. Matt joined EBR in 2007 and was immediately immersed in RAJI Aikido as well as fitness and other classes. Matt joined EBR worldwide as shugyosha in 2010. Matt anchors morning classes at EBR, leading classes in Aikido, Aiki weapons and fitness. Matt has experience with firearms and bladed weapons as well and is an active participant in the combatives program. When he’s not in the dojo, Matt can most often be found skiing or fishing with his son Nick. “Jaff and Michael both introduced me to a new window on Aikido, one that keeps getting wider and brighter all the time. Focus on little details is key – it’s no good to just grind out repetition. It’s critically important to move “correctly” but it’s also vital to be conscious of the movement and variation. Aikido remains for me a source of immense joy and immense mystery. No matter how many reps you do or how many waza you perform, each one holds something new.”
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