INSTRUCTORS
Aikido
Kevin Egan
Lead InstructorTBD
Alexander Sorisky
Alexander (5th Dan) has been fortunate and is grateful to have trained in Aikido for several decades in Canada, the United States, and France. He continues to be fascinated by the way Aikido offers us an approach to synthesize precision with flow, stance with movement, connection with empty space, contact with non-contestation, and awareness with posture.
Mazda Salmanian
Mazda (4th Dan), began Aikido at the Ottawa Aikikai Dojo in 1994, with a smile. In 1996, he established a kids’ class curriculum and taught the kids for 21 years. Over the years, he trained under the direction of several shihan of the United States Aikido Federation (USAF). Mazda is currently an active instructor at the Ottawa Aikikai Dojo with a technical focus on flow of energy and transfer of power via breathing, while maintaining awareness on peripheral vision. Oh …, and he still smiles.
Simon Guertin-Armstrong
Simon (3rd Dan) began his Aikido practice in Montreal in 2003. After training and competing in Karate as a teenager, he found in Aikido both a compelling blend of empty hand and weapon techniques, and a philosophy of self-betterment and service. He views improved physical fitness, broadened and deepened awareness, and longstanding friendships as gifts of sustained practice. Simon joined the Ottawa Aikikai Dojo in 2022 and currently teaches the Aikido Weapons Class. He also holds a 4th dan in Iaido and serves on the Dojo Board.
Sean Cavanagh
Sean (2nd Dan) took his first class at Ottawa Aikikai Dojo in 1996, and is grateful every day that he did. He cherishes the joy and love he cultivates through his Aikido practice, seeking to share that feeling with new students and old friends alike. Sean shares morning class teaching with Kevin and David, where he explores the intersection of practical martial arts and harmonious connection. He also regularly practices Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, in which he holds the rank of blue belt, and serves on the Dojo Board.
David Beyea
Dave (1st Dan) began martial arts in his university karate club and later trained with Canada Shotokan Karate. His Aikido practice emphasizes sincere attacks, strikes (atemi), and the belief that difficult training helps polish the soul (shugyo). Dave teaches some morning classes and leads the Saturday kids program. With more than 35 years of sweating heavily in white pyjamas, he considers himself proof that persistence can offset a lack of natural talent. Dave also holds a 1st dan in karate and serves as the Dojo’s membership manager.
A.J. Ermenc
A.J. (1st Dan) started practising Aikido in 2001 and Iaido in 2002 at Ottawa Aikikai Dojo. She believes that that persistence will win over natural ability and maintains that Aikido may not be one size fits all, but it is adjustable. A.J. generally focuses her classes on entries, learning to move in such a way as to not put anyone’s body at risk, and relaxing through techniques rather than using brute force. When tailored to the abilities of bodies that have seen and done perhaps too much, her classes occasionally become “Aiki-Physiotherapy”. A.J. also teaches Iaido at the Dojo and has trained in armoured medieval combat since 2009.