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Began training with Russ Alvey Sensei in Texas in August 1990, uchi deshi to Pat Hendricks Sensei Jan 1995 - Feb 1997, dai sempai and asst. instructor to Kayla Feder Sensei, Aikido of Berkeley 1998-present. 4th dan May 2007. Executive Director - Aiki Extensions. Please visit bdwc.net
I've been a member here several times but have failed to contribute meaningfully. I'll do better hereafter.
As President of Association Building Community (in Berkeley CA), I work 20 hours each week as Executive Director for Aiki Extensions. What follows are some words about that.
Association Building Community (ABC is a 501c3 intentional, distributed community based in Berkeley, CA) is dedicated to the development of the "process arts", the field to which we believe (through deep listening, dialogue, and deliberation) many distinct approaches contribute. While many process arts are most often in use in a "business as usual" way (through advertising and corporate media, for instance) many of these contemporary, purposeful, culture-making practices with roots in psychology (Nonviolent Communication, ombudsmanship, group facilitation, psycho-therapies, organizational development, coaching, etc.) work toward citizen-based education and the co-creation of cultures such that conflict is done well rather than "as usual" and social justice (peace) is the result. This is the clearest way we have found to frame "the largest social movement in the history of humanity" (Paul Hawken).
To deliver "community building on purpose" through the process arts, Aiki Extensions contracts with ABC to provide yours truly as AE's Executive Director. I originated the process arts idea and publicly reserved (copyleft) its use to the commons. AE's programs deliver specific process arts (in this case extensions of aiki into many peace practices) that directly aim to benefit vulnerable or marginalized children, adults, families, and their communities through a wide range of support for various, locally directed projects. At this time, Aiki Extensions most frequently introduces aikido, and thereafter related process arts (including dialogue and somatic methodologies), to the most disadvantaged children and adults in California, the favelas in Sao Paolo Brazil, and in Addis Abbaba and Awassa, Ethiopia, to name a few.
In the words of Richard Strozzi-Heckler, "Aiki-Extensions is the 21st Century iteration of how O'Sensei envisioned Aikido's role in global peace. AE is in direct lineage to his vision and it is thus playing out what his vision projected in a world marked by transforming technologies and new epidemics of strife."
Want to train with us? Email staff at aiki-extensions dot org