Sensei O’Hara has been practicing Aikido for over 25 years and has 30 years of total martial arts experience. Steve trained under Ron Christenham (6th dan) of Sarpy Aikido in Omaha from 1998-2007, and attended many seminars with the late Robert Kubo Shihan (8th dan), founder of AHI. Steve’s style of Aikido has been heavily influenced by the current leaders of the AHI organization — Thomas Walsh, Scott Sobel, Jeff Christenham (all 6th dan), and Randy Porter (5th dan).
Fort Collins Aikikai strives to pass on the culture of traditional Aikido instruction with the Hawaiian spirit of ‘ohana (family) and aloha that are at the roots of AHI Aikido. Being a part of AHI is being part of a family. We stay connected through AHI-sponsored seminars, typically held once or twice per year in the USA. We frequently travel together as members of AHI to attend events hosted by other organizations. See the Events page for some examples and photos.
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* Dojo Cho / Chief Instructor * Yandan (4th degree): 2018 * Founded Fort Collins Aikikai: 2009 * Secretary of Aikido of Hawaii International (AHI) * 30 years of martial arts experience * Started full-time in Aikido: 1998 * Holds a doctorate in computer science
Christopher Rau
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* Assistant Instructor * Sandan (3rd degree): 2023 * Joined Fort Collins Aikikai: Jan 2011 * Practiced gymnastics in high school * Works as a software engineer for a medical devices company
Stephen Pursley
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* Youth Instructor * Shodan (1st Degree): 2022 * Joined Fort Collins Aikikai: Feb 2016
