BLUE SPRUELL, CHIEF INSTRUCTOR
6th Dan, Shihan
Blue Spruell Sensei trained in several Japanese, Korean and Chinese martial arts before he began his Aikido training under Masahiro Okada Shihan and Katsuya Nakamura Shihan in 1988 in Japan, where he lived and trained for five years before returning to Atlanta to co-found his first dojo, Dogwood Aikikai.
In the decades that followed, Spruell Sensei traveled extensively to train under Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba’s direct students, Mitsunari Kanai Shihan and Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan, and has served on the Board of Directors for the United States Aikido Federation.
Spruell Sensei currently holds a 6th degree black belt in Aikido awarded by Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba and Aikido Headquarters in Japan and Shihan instructor certification awarded by the United States Aikido Federation. Spruell Sensei also holds a 6th degree black belt in Iaido (Japanese sword) and a 5th degree black belt in Kyudo (Japanese archery).
Spruell Sensei currently serves on the United States Aikido Federation Technical Committee and the Kiyoikaze Iaido Federation Board of Directors, and teaches nationally and internationally.
Off the mat, Spruell Sensei is a trial lawyer and certified mediator, specializing in civil and domestic litigation. In his “spare” time, he writes fiction.
INSTRUCTORS
Peachtree Aikido enjoys a wealth of instructors who share a long commitment to techniques and etiquette as transmitted from O-Sensei to present day. All Peachtree instructors hold a minimum rank of 1st degree black belt, with most ranked 2nd degree or higher. Each instructor brings his and her own unique understanding of Aikido, shaped by countless hours of practice at Peachtree and at dojos around the world. All of the instructors at Peachtree are volunteers, giving their time generously toward the advancement of Aikido.
Mark Brodbeck,
4th Dan, Fukushidoin
Binh Dam,
3rd Dan, Fukushidoin
Mitsuko Spruell,
3rd Dan
Ana Levie-Sprick,
2nd Dan
DOJO (TRAINING HALL)
Peachtree Aikido is a traditional Japanese training hall, or dojo. The heart of the dojo is the tokonoma, the alcove dedicated to Aikido and its founder O Sensei Moreihei Ueshiba. Portraits of our community's most venerated practitioners and training weapons hang nearby. Showers are available in the men's and women's dressing rooms, and the student lounge features a library and community calendar of upcoming events.
PEACHTREE CULTURE
Peachtree Aikido has a diverse, enthusiastic, and supportive student body. Students of all ages, ethnicities, and professions practice Aikido together, each supporting the others on their path to personal refinement through Aikido. The focus is on training, rather than competition, and experts from around the country visit Peachtree Aikikai to teach and grow the aiki vocabulary. Peachtree students travel together around the world to learn and share Aikido. Such rigorous and collegial training results in new friendships... not only in Atlanta, but with fellow Aikido practitioners all around the globe.
WHAT TO EXPECT AS A NEW STUDENT
Traditional Japanese uniforms, Japanese words and phrases, new body movements... this strange new environment can be disorienting! This is why new students receive special attention at Peachtree, with an early focus on ukemi, or rolls, and footwork and fundamental technique. Student who attend 2 to 3 days per week will see definite improvement and will qualify to take their first test after approximately 20 days of practice. Testing is noncompetitive and focuses instead on demonstrating incremental facility with Aikido technique as prescribed by the United States Aikido Federation and the International Aikido Federation.
AFFILIATIONS
Peachtree Aikido is affiliated with the United States Aikido Federation and the International Aikido Federation under Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei and, in memorium, Mitsunari Kanai Sensei. Peachtree Aikido is also affiliated with Kiyoikaze Iaido Federation under Claude Berthiaume Sensei and, in memorium, Mitsunari Kanai Sensei. Peachtree Aikido enjoys a collegiate brotherhood with Aikido dojos around the country and the world.
