Martin Christensen Sensei holds the rank of yondan, fourth degree black belt, and has been on our teaching staff since 1994.   He brings to the mat 43 years of aikido experience as well as a keen interest in qigong and tai chi.  Christensen Sensei emphasizes a strong foundation in kihon waza, basic aikido forms, and the practical application of these forms to a ‘street situation’.   Currently he is very interested in helping students understand how to better “feel” and “control” ‘ki’ (vital life force) and use this ‘energy’ in their daily lives.  He believes that an ever deepening understanding of the healing aspects of ‘ki’ brings an improved understanding and utilization of martial energies.

Christensen Sensei takes his responsibilities as an instructor very seriously.  He attentively reaches out to students of all levels looking out for the opportunity to “get through” and help them grasp the material that he is presenting.  Martin Sensei’s classes are always well attended and the students are eager to hear his many stories from his years of training with a number of highly respected senior teachers.  Having recently turned 76 years young, he stands before us as a testment to the physical and mental vitality that can be achieved through consistent martial arts training.

Christensen Sensei first stepped on the mat in October of 1964 at the San Diego Aikikai under the direction of Tokuji Hirata Sensei.  Hirata Sensei had been one of Koichi Tohei Sensei’s uchi-deshi (live-in student) in Hawaii.  Previous to starting aikido Christensen Sensei had undergone a bone graft operation in his right shoulder due to bone cancer.  This left him a very limited range of motion in his right arm.  His hope was that aikido could afford him self defense skills in spite of this limitation.  In July of 1965 the Navy transferred him to Japan where he practiced for three years at Nile Kinnick School in Yokohama.  His teachers were Norihiko Ichihashi Sensei and Seishiro Endo Sensei from Hombu Dojo.  After retiring from the Navy in 1971 Christensen Sensei settled down in Silicon Valley.   He spent many years teaching for the Lockheed Employee Recreation Association and at Aikido of San Jose.  He has also studied various forms of qigong and breathing techniques as well as both Yang and Chen styles of tai chi.  Martin Sensei is a certified Reiki master.