Sunny Skys is the Chief Instructor of Aikido of Fremont, yondan (4th degree black belt).

Welcome to Sunny Skys Sensei’s bio in progress_ June 9, 2009.

Sensei, when are you going to update your bio on the website?”  How many times have I heard this question?  There’s just always something calling my attention… bookkeeping, marketing, cleaning, emails, phone calls to return, and managing our website.  Then there’s my favorite time of my day_ when I get to step on to the mat!  Anyway, I am being moved ‘today’ to get something fresh posted and here I am!

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.

Steve Osawa Sensei first stepped on to our mat as a student in 1993.  At that time he was a senior officer in the Fremont Police Department.  In those days we had a noon class which fit into his work schedule.  It did not take us long to realize what an incredible reservoir of knowledge and skill that he had in a number of traditional Japanese martial arts as well as ‘street self-defense’.  In 1994 his work schedule changed and he was able to attend our evening classes.  Osawa Sensei joined our teaching staff and we titled his weekly class_ “Street Savvy”, which has held a place on our training schedule ever since.  His classes cover everything from traditional aikido techniques to judo throws, knife fighting styles, jujutsu locks and choke holds.  He is a very enthusiastic instructor and his classes are open to students of all levels, beginner to senior.  Osawa Sensei is also the inspiration behind our “Tameshigiri Class” (target cutting) which meets once a month under his direction.