Instructors
The instructors at the Seattle Ki Society are all highly-trained, experienced, and friendly people, who have a sincere and genuine interest in teaching and sharing their knowledge. Several have received awards and honors at the competition at the Headquarters dojo in Japan, and all are available to answer any questions you may have about aikido or our school. |
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Susan Grigsby
Head Instructor
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 Grigsby Sensei holds a 4th degree black belt ('yondan') in Ki-Aikido, a Chuden in Ki Development, and is a certified Assistant Ki Lecturer.
Grigsby sensei began her aikido training in 1988 at the Headquarters dojo in Tokyo, where she trained for 5 years under the top instructors in Ki Society, including Tohei Sensei. The focus of her training was in the Aikido Gakuin, a special two-year aikido school that offered an intensive program to foreigners. She completed the program and trained an additional year as a ‘graduate’ student.
In 1991 and 1993, she participated in the All Japan Taigi Competition, receiving a gold medal both times. She currently lives in Olympia, but travels regularly to Seattle to teach and train at the SKS dojo. She hopes to also begin teaching in the Olympia area in the near future.
“After eight years of training in karate, I discovered aikido during what was suppose to be a one year stay in Japan. I quickly realized that aikido was actually better suited to me, and my one year became five, primarily to train as much as possible. The central tenet of our style of aikido is ‘butsukaranai’….to not collide with your partner, neither physically or mentally. It is this philosophy, and the flowing, rhythmical movement of aikido that attracted me to this style. More than the practice of technique, it is a continual exploration into the development of understanding the mind-body connection and applying that to everyday life.” |
Steve Li
Instructor
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 Steve Li Sensei holds a 3rd degree black belt ('sandan') in Ki-Aikido, Chuden in Ki Development, and has been training since 1980. He is also a certified Assistant Ki Lecturer.
Li Sensei was interested in learning a martial art as a vehicle for personal growth. His cousin started training in aikido in Chicago, and at his encouragement, Li Sensei watched a class and later started training in Portland Oregon.
Li Sensei says his favorite aspect of aikido is, "the challenge of implementing calmness in action. Aikido develops the whole person effectively. The most frequent application involves organizing and managing numerous simultaneous demands at the office, sort of like randori (defending against multiple attacks). Taking care of two kids at the same time can be remarkably similar. I also like the mild winter weather we enjoy here for New Years' Senshin No Gyo."
Li Sensei teaches introductory ki and aikido, general aikido, and intermediate aikido. He has also never missed a party. |
John Soriano
Instructor
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 John Soriano Sensei holds a 2nd degree black belt ('nidan') in Ki-Aikido, a Shoden in Ki Development, and is a certified Assistant Ki Lecturer. Soriano Sensei participated in the 1998, 1999, and 2000 U.S. Open Taigi Competitions. In 2000 he participated in the 2nd Annual International Taigi Competition held in Tochigi, Japan, where he was a bronze medalist.
"As a former competitive athlete, I have always been fascinated with the mind/body relationship in human performance. Ki-Aikido is the ideal vehicle for me to explore this concept. The principles we study truly are universal, and can not only be applied through Aikido techniques, but also off the mat to improve athletic performance, and to be more effective in our daily lives - to be better individuals."
Soriano Sensei is also a fully licensed and certified 3rd degree (Sandan) level instructor in Ishi Yama Ryu Battojutsu (Japanese Swordsmanship). "Swordsmanship is another training component in my mind/body exploration. Principles of the sword are also universal." |
Dan Duyungan
Instructor
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 Dan Duyungan Sensei holds a 1st degree black belt ('shodan') rank in Ki-Aikido, a Jokyu in Ki Development, and has been training since 1997.
"I've had a lifelong interest in martial arts. A friend gave me criteria to look for when checking out local classes. As soon as I walked in the door at the Seattle Ki Society, I knew that it offered everything I'd been looking for. The people there are like family. I value the authentic Japanese teaching styles they offer. "
"Teaching children's classes gives me the opportunity to pass along my knowledge. It's very rewarding when you can see just by the look on a child's face that they really understand a technique I've taught them."
"I work in a highly-paced atmosphere that can get pretty stressful through the day. I use aikido techniques to relax when necessary, which helps me focus and re-energize after a long day." |
Paul Schoenfeld
Instructor
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 Paul Schoenfeld Sensei holds a 1st degree black belt ('shodan') in Ki-Aikido, a Shoden in Ki Development, and has been training since 1998.
Schoenfeld Sensei began his training in 1974 in San Francisco, where his graduate school offered a class. He practiced there for three years. He took a 23 year break to raise his two daughters, and returned to his practice in 1998. During his hiatus, he regularly practiced ki breathing and meditation, as well as tai chi chuan.
On using aikido in his daily life, Schoenfeld Sensei says, "I run a 15 person department in a busy medical group, and I have the opportunity to find peace in situations of conflict on a daily basis. I love the feeling of being filled and surrounded by ki. Training at the Seattle Ki Society is special. All the instructors are truly inspiring. Each one has something unique to impart." |
Sam Corpus
Instructor
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 Sam Corpus Sensei holds a 1st degree black belt ('shodan') in Ki-Aikido, a Jokyu in Ki Development, and has been training since 1994.
She began training after being temporarily laid off from work. She wanted to keep busy and not dwell on her misfortune, and saw our aikido class in the Experimental College catalog. She also knew a coworker who was teaching aikido and he encouraged her to try it. Once she started she found it a challange in a positive way.
After years of training, family obligations required her fulltime attention, so she took some time off from regular practice. Returning in 2005, she was happy to be back on the mat. Though feeling a little rusty at first, it wasn't long before the movements felt familiar again and the cobwebs were dusted off. She refocused her training for the next year to prepare herself for her black belt test, achieving her goal in the summer of 2006.
"Ki never really leaves, it simply gets placed in a compartment in ones memory banks and only needs nurturing. This is not to say there hasn't been a learning curve....it was less steep, but still in constant flux. There is no room for complacency, that's for sure. Just when I think I've gotten an understanding of ki, there are more things that make me say, 'Hm-m!" Ki does that to you....yes indeed." |
Michael Scarey
Instructor - Currently on sabbatical, he teaches on occasion as his schedule allows.
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 Michael Scarey was head instructor from 1998 to 2004.. Scarey Sensei holds a 3rd degree black belt ('sandan') in Ki-Aikido, a Chuden in Ki Development, and began his training in 1979. Scarey Sensei was awarded two third place medals in the 2000 International Taigi Competition in Tochigi Japan. He has led performances in the Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festivals, the Children's Day Celebration at the Japanese Garden, the University of Washington Arboretum, and the International District Street Fair in Seattle.
Scarey Sensei adds, "My favorite aspect of aikido is that it is such a subtle discipline, and that makes it continually interesting. Studying aikido through the principles of mind and body coordination helps develop an effective self-defense system that isn't based on strength. This gives us an opportunity to improve ourselves and our technique throughout our lifetime, even as our physical attributes fade with age."
"I find that the respect we show each other on the mat translates to a positive aspect of my working relationships in my professional life. As we deepen our understanding of mind and body coordination through training, we can apply all of our efforts most effectively on the mat, at work, or at home. Aikido trains us to remain calm in the face of difficulty, which is directly applicable to both my professional and personal life." "What makes the Seattle Ki Society such a unique experience is the quality of the training. We have a number of high-ranking instructors (1st dan through 4th dan) both training and teaching our classes. This provides a rich learning environment for students of all levels." | |
