Howard Hoa Newens Sensei

Howard Hoa Newens Sensei, chief instructor, has trained and taught Aikido since 1967 and is ranked black belt 7th degree by World Headquarters. Throughout the years, he studied with Sensei Dang Thong Phong, 6th dan, Seiichi Sugano, 8th dan, and the late Morihiro Saito, 9th dan. Newens Sensei is the former head of Aikido Institute Oakland. In addition to directing Aikido Institute Davis, he currently serves on the board of Takemusu Aikido Association a non-profit corporation dedicated to promoting Aikido. He has also trained in Wu Tai Chi and Chi Kung since 1987. Newens Sensei has published the most comprehensive series of Aikido DVDs entitled Aikido Curriculum and consisting of seven professionally produced DVDs. He recently published a new book “Aikido Insights" that presents the insights gained after forty-four years of training.

Bruce Donehower

Bruce Donehower, instructor, began consistent training in Aikido in 1994 and has instructed since 1999. He is ranked black belt 4th degree by World Headquarters. Throughout the years, he studied with Sensei Dan Wold, 3rd Dan (Aikikai), Sensei Roger Pratt, 1st Dan (New School Aikido), Sensei Peter Arno , 3rd Dan (California Aikido Association), and Sensei Newens, 7th Dan (Takemusu Aikido Association). Bruce has trained at Aikido Institute Davis since its inaugural opening. Bruce also studied Tai Chi under Master T.T. Liang in Boston (Yang style) and was an instructor at Master Liang's studio. He has a doctorate in English literature and an M.A. in German literature and has published novels, poetry, translations, and literary criticism.

Kent Standley

Kent Standley started Aikido training in 1999 after studying shiatsu with Shinzo Fujimaki and being inspired to learn more of the mind-body-spirit arts. His sensei have included Eric Winters Sensei (5th dan) and Peter Arno Sensei (3rd dan). He has trained with Hoa Newens Sensei (7th dan) since 2002. Kent is ranked black belt 4th degree by Aikido World Headquarters and has taught at Aikido Institute Davis since 2005. During the day he analyzes rocket data at Aerojet in Sacramento.

Marion Donehower

Marion Donehower started aikido in the 1970s in Hamburg, Germany. After two years she switched to Tai Chi and studied with Master T.T. Liang in Boston, MA and with Andrew Lum in Hawaii. Marion was an instructor at Master Liang’s studio and has private students in Tai Chi. In 1994 Marion started to reconnect with aikido because she was drawn to the vigorous movement and interactions of the art. Her first teacher was Sensei Dan Wold, 3rd Dan, Aikikai. In 2007 she joined Aikido Institute, Davis. As a psychologist and artist Marion believes strongly that aikido helps us achieve health in body and mind. Marion holds the rank of black belt 4th degree.

Rob Kamisky

Rob began studying Aikido in 1998 at the Budo Educational Center in Sacramento (founded by the late Tri Thong Dang Sensei). He has trained at Aikido Institute Davis since 2004, where he received his nidan in 2009. Rob has a master’s degree in Mechanical and Aeronautical engineering and works in renewable energy in Sacramento. He lives in Davis with his wife Kelly.

Justin Azevedo

Justin began aikido training in 2006 with Michael Hedgepeth Sensei of 10th Street Aikido, in Pacific Grove and later Monterey, California. He relocated to Aikido Institute Davis in 2008, and received his shodan in 2010. He has also spent time training in the Brazilian martial art of capoeira. Away from the dojo, Justin works as a public librarian, with a focus on services for teens and adults. He lives with his family in West Sacramento.

Shannon Newbold

Shannon joined Aikido Institue Davis in 2006 after being introduced to Aikido through the Sacramento Public Safety Center. At the Sacramento Public Safety Center, he was introduced to various control holds and wrist locks while taking Resserve Peace Officer classes. After finishing the classes, he signed joined AID beginners class to continue studying Aikido and later received his shodan in 2010. Shannon has a bachelors and masters degree in Computer Science from UC Davis and works as a software developer for a civil engineering firm. Shannon currently resides in Davis.

Kathleen Holder

Kathleen Holder joined Aikido Institute Davis in 2006. After a long break from martial arts, she signed up for a beginner’s class with the goal of at least learning how to take a fall safely. She quickly discovered how much fun Aikido can be. She earned her black belt (shodan) in 2010. A former news reporter, she edits UC Davis’ alumni magazine. She lives in Davis with her husband and two daughters. She previously practiced and instructed classes in the Korean martial art of tang soo do.

Martin Dubcovsky

Martin Dubcovsky began his aikido training in 2005 at Aikido of San Diego under the instruction of Dave Goldberg (5th Dan). In 2007 he was uchideshi there for a brief period before graduating college and relocating to Japan. Martin has been training at the Aikido Institute Davis since 2008, and is currently ranked black belt 2nd degree by World Headquarters.