Pablo Vázquez, Shihan

Technical Director
6th Degree Black Belt

Vazquez Shihan has been teaching aikido for 30 years. He currently holds the rank of 6th degree Black Belt in Aikido, and was one of the first American instructors awarded the title of Shihan, or Master Teacher, by T. K. Chiba Shihan, Technical Director of Birankai International. He founded the West Los Angeles Aikido Institute, the Aikido Cultural Institute of Portland, the Aikido Institute of Miami and San Mateo Aikikai. He currently serves as Technical Director of Aikido Institute of New Mexico. He serves on the Senior Council of the Birankai North America. He has taught seminars throughout the US, Europe, Latin America and the People’s Republic of China.

Teshiba Sensei has been teaching aikido for more than 20 years. She currently holds the rank of 6th degree black belt, and the teaching certification of Shidoin in Birankai North America. She is the Chief Instructor of Aikido Institute of New Mexico. She currently serves as Chairperson of the Teachers’ Council and the Examination Committee of the Birankai International. She has taught seminars throughout the US, Latin America and Canada.

Sara Nielsen Sensei

Assistant Chief Instructor
5th Degree Black Belt

Nielsen Sensei holds the rank of 5th degree black belt, and is a certified teacher at the level of Shidoin in Birankai North America. She has been teaching aikido for more than 15 years. She is the Assistant Chief Instructor of Aikido Institute of New Mexico. She sits on the Examination Committee and the Ethics Committee of the Birankai International. She has taught seminars throughout the US and Latin America.

Rhonda Hutley

5th Degree Black Belt

Hutley Sensei holds the rank of 5th degree black belt, and is a certified teacher at the level of Shidoin in Birankai North America. She sits on the Teachers’ Council of Birankai International. She is currently an instructor at Aikido Institute of New Mexico. She has taught throughout the US and Latin America.