Chief Instructor, Essential Aikido Kokikai
First in my personal family, then naturally extending into our dojo family. At Essential Aikido Kokikai, we are intentional about developing loving, trusted relationships that are safe places to laugh and learn, fail and thrive together.
I've been training since 1995. Teaching since 1996. I established Essential Aikido Kokikai in 2006 because I felt called to bring out the best in others, and Aikido was the path.
My passion is living life in full. I'm a personal development freak—relentless about getting myself and others to their next level. My fanatical focus on Minimum Effort for Maximum Effect led me to structure my life with impact-driven simplicity.
I have a BS in Psychology (don't laugh) with emphasis in Peak Performance, 30+ years Top 10% Direct/B2C/B2B sales performance, and 30+ years as an Aikido Kokikai instructor.
After three decades in Aikido Kokikai, I've learned that the most powerful technique is creating space for others to discover their own strength—safely, joyfully, at their own pace.
I bring a mischievous zest for life to everything I do (just ask my beautiful wife and two boys—who I drive absolutely nuts!). That energy shows up on the mat. We take our training very seriously and ourselves very lightly.
"Tom Sensei has many superpowers, but the one that has impacted me the most recently is his ability to see what my next step should be, and what I need to understand in order to take that step. With that input from him, I consistently feel like I am advancing in my training, making aikido and its principles more a part of my life and thought pattern. Once that advice included an observation of my posture during the techniques in class. As I took that advice not technique improved, but I also found myself being more aware of my posture throughout the day, which also improved. More recently, the advice took the form of 'find a way to keep training' given the difficulties of social gathering. That advice I also applied to other areas of my life so that I could work towards overcoming obstacles in professional and family life. Because he cares enough to use his superpower, he helps all of us to improve."
"Your superpower in my mind is your dedication. Dedication in trying to make us better as individuals. The direct impact on me is that you make me work harder."
"The power of positivity! It's been important for both me and my son to be able to focus on the good."
"I see your superpower as teaching and leading multidimensionally. Almost every lesson you provide touches on the body, mind, and spirit. Also, the fitness work has a good balance between flexibility and strength. I appreciate your holistic approach, and it has helped me on my personal journey across all the dimensions."
"Your superpower is the energy and enthusiasm that you bring and share with all of us. Whenever you are not there, I can feel a difference. I am not as motivated to push myself and I don't get as much out of it. I don't leave class with the same feeling of peace and satisfaction as I usually do."
The best way to know if Essential Aikido is right for you is to experience it in person.
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