ABOUT AIKIDO

KOKIKAI

Meet Shuji Maruyama, the visionary founder of Kokikai Aikido. Sent to the U.S. in 1966 by the Aikikai Hombu, Maruyama shared his Aikido expertise with American students for many years.

Staying true to Japanese martial arts traditions, he followed his mentor Koichi Tohei when Tohei established Ki-Aikido. In 1986, Maruyama struck out on his own, becoming the Founder and President of Kokikai-Ryu Aikido and introducing a fresh, innovative approach to Aikido.

The Kokikai style emphasizes natural movement, Ki development, relaxation, good posture and mind-body coordination.

Instructors

  • Max Lent

    Chief Instructor, 4th Dan

    Max is a second generation Kokikai Aikidoka. His father practiced at the North East Dojo (Sensei Maruyama’s home dojo in the U.S.) in the 1980’s and 90’s and Max spent lots of time as a young child, middle school and High school student in the dojo. Continuing his practice as a young adult with Cecelia Ricotti Sensei (8th dan) in Philadelphia, and then with Gary Snyder Sensei (8th dan) in NYC, Aikido has always been an important part of Max’s life. Over the past ten years, Max has traveled with Sensei Maruyama to attend seminars and camps between Philadelphia, the west coast, and Japan.

  • Rebecca Sievers

    Instructor, 4th Dan

    Rebecca began her Kokikai journey in 2002 at Columbia University, training regularly with Gary Snyder sensei and Sensei Maruyama at countless seminars and camps. She started teaching with Aikido Kokikai NYC in 2015 and now divides her time between her own Gotham Aikido dojo, Aikido Kokikai of Queens, and teaching yoga. Previously, she earned a second-degree black belt in Hapkido in Chicago, IL. Rebecca firmly believes Kokikai’s 4 Basic Principles apply to all areas of life and encourages students with Sensei Maruyama’s famous quip, “If I can do it, you can do it!”

  • Todd Kupper

    Visiting Instructor, 7th Dan

    Chief instructor and founder of Keystone Kokikai dojo. Todd’s experience in Kokikai Aikido has been the result of over thirty years of training under Sensei Maruyama. As a 7th degree black belt (Shichidan), Todd has taught and trained throughout the United States, Germany and Japan.

    Todd's experience in aikido also gave him the inspiration to write the book, The Magic of Balanced Living.



  • Gary Snyder

    NYC Aikido Kokikai Founder, 8th Dan

    Gary Snyder Sensei is a 8th Degree Black Belt (Hachidan) in Aikido with several decades of martial arts training and over forty years training under Sensei Maruyama. He founded the original NYC Aikido Kokikai with dojos at Columbia University, Chelsea, and at Warrior Bridge in South Street Seaport. He currently spends his time between his home in Montana and NYC.