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| The Mid America Aikido Federation is comprised of dojos across the Central United States. We are under the direction of Randy Bonifay Sensei. Bonifay Sensei was a direct student of Bill Sosa Shihan for over 20 years. |
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Cory is a Sandan (3rd Degree Black Belt) with the Mid-America Aikido Federation. After studying several other martial arts he finally commited himself to Aikido after meeting Ellefson Sensei in 2001.
Known for his affable personality and easy-going teaching style.
Cory currently resides in North Hudson with his wife Faith (nidan w/MCFM), daughter Joslyn, and their two dogs Ellie and Maggie.
For more information on Cory's Dojo:
www.Kyoshinaikido.com
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Jason started Aikido in 1996 and was a member of the U of Minnesota Aikido club from 1996-2002. In 2003, he joined MCFM and has been with us since. Jason is known for his dry, dry,...did I mention dry(?) sense of humor, the power of his Vulcan eyebrow, and excellent Aikido technique. Jason received his shodan from Bonifay Sensei in May of 2008 and his Nidan in April 2011.
For more information on Jason's Dojo:
www.kndojo.com
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Tristan is a Nidan (2nd degree black belt) in the Mid America Aikido Federation, and has studied
aikido intensely since 2004. Although he has studied many various
martial arts for over thirty years, aikido is his true love. His
passion and energy for teaching show in his friendly and supportive
manner, yet underneath is his fire for getting the very best out of his
students. Tristan's love of aikido goes deeper than technique, but in
the history and origins of the art.
For more information on Tristan's Dojo:
www.spiritaikido.com
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| MCFM Aikido Bukou, Enso Aikido, Ki Nagare Instructors with Randy Bonifay Sensei (Kancho, Mid America Aikidio Federation - Center) |
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Ellefson Sensei receiveing his Yondan in Sept. 05
Mike is currently a 4th degree black-belt instructor who began his Aikido training in 1989. He has studied many martial arts and most notably holds a nidan in Ryukyu Kempo Karate, a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu under 8th degree red/black belt Rigan Machado, and a Blue Belt (right before black in that system) Assistant Instructorship in MMA under Rickson Gracie Blackbelt - David Arnebeck.
MCFM Aikido Dojos are affiliated with the Mid-America Aikido Federation under Randy Bonifay Sensei who was a direct student of Bill Sosa Sensei for over 20 years. Mike continuously studies Japanese swordsmanship and uses the katana as a foundation of Aikido movement. Mike approaches Aikido from both the martial and spiritual aspects. His technique is known for being extremely effective and at the same time soft and relaxed. Mike studied Aikikai Aikido for many years before affiliating with Bill Sosa Sensei 1934-2002 (Founder of the International Aikido Association) and strives to continue the Aikido that Sosa Sensei put forth. Mike founded the Harmonious Sphere Martial Arts Academy in Fargo, ND in 1995. He then founded the Warrior’s Cove Aikido Program in 1997 and is currently the Chief Aikido Instructor for the MCFM Aikido Bukou Dojo in Hudson, WI and the MCFM Enso Aikido Dojo in Burnsville, MN. From 2001-2006 Mike was an Ad-hoc Professor at the University of Wisconsin - River Falls in the Health and Human Performance Dept. instructing for credit Aikido and Self-Defense classes. Mike travels extensively teaching self-defense courses to businesses and organizations and also providing P.A.C.T. (Police Aikido Control Tactics ) training to various law enforcement groups. Mike makes his home in North Hudson, WI with his wife Corrie, daughters Veronica & Genevieve, and Puggle, Granger.
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Phil is a 3rd degree blackbelt (Sandan) in Aikido with the Mid America Aikido Federation and also holds a 2nd degree black belt in Seidokan Aikido. He began his studies with Dr. Guldbrandsen sensei and Bergeron sensei while attending college in Duluth, MN. Phil now has been practicing since 1992 and instructed classes at Bally Total Fitness and the YMCA before staying with Ellefson Sensei in 2000.
Phil's main focus is how aikido can help people effect positive change in their lives, and regain control over what seems like like “everything happening at once”, using only the appropriate amount of effort. Phil likes to see students have a good time in class, laughing while exploring new concepts. He believes that learning does not need to stop, and always looks for challenges to pose himself and students.
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Corrie earned her Shodan in Aikido from Randy Bonifay Sensei in April 2005 and her Nidan in 2009. She is known for her friendly teaching style that mixes controlled relaxation with effective technique. She has studied Aikido since 2000, and was the first woman promoted to shodan in the Mid America Aikido federation. She has set the standard for the female warriors in our dojos. |
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Chris started Aikido under Ellefson Sensei in 2001. Chris has extensive martial arts training, including a black belt in Chinese Kempo. Along with being an accomplished martial artist, he is a successful businessman and entrepeneur. Chris' Aikido is very pragmatic and he is always looking for practical application for self-defense and protection. Chris earned his shodan from Bonifay Sensei in September of 2006 and his Nidan in Sept. of 2009. |
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 Faith started Aikido under Ellefson Sensei in 2002. She helped Ellefson sensei start the MCFM Kids Aikido program and has been integral to its success. Faith has a degree in psychology from University of Wisconsin - River Falls and puts her understanding of human nature into her teaching. Faith is an example of what a warrior should be. She earned her shodan from Bonifay Sensei in September of 2006 and her Nidan in Sept. 2009. |
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Ginny has been a student of Ellefson Sensei since 2003 and earned her shodan in 2009 and her Nidan in 2011. Ginny is a supervisor in federal law enforcement. She is known for her great sense of humor and no-nonsense approach to her Aikido. |
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Rachel has been in the dojo since 2003 and has been an amazing asset to the dojo. She started in the Kids Aikido Program when she was 8 years old and received her nikyu in Adult Aikido in 2009, and her Ikkyu in May 2010. She is the primary instructor for the Kids Aikido class on Wednesday nights, and has grown to be an excellent instructor and is sought out as a testing partner because of her high level ukemi. Rachel earned her Shodan from Randy Bonifay Sensei on April 29th, 2011.
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Jerrod has been a student of MCFM since 2005. He is known for his excellent teaching skills and powerful technique. He spends the majority of his teaching time working to prepare people on a one on one basis for their next test. Jerrod is also an excellent uke and is sought out to be uke on many tests. Jerrod earned his shodan on April 29th, 2011 from Randy Bonifay Sensei. |
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Leo has been a student of Ellefson Sensei since 2003. Leo was a federal law enforcement agent for 31 years prior to his retirement. During this tenure he acted as: Team Leader, Public Information Officer, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Officer Survival Instructor, and Firearms Instructor. Leo also acts as Technical Advisor and Assistant for the Police Aikido Control Tactics program taught by Ellefson Sensei. Leo is known for his great sense of humor, understanding of technique, and excellent teaching ability.
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 Jeff has been a member of our dojo since 2005. Since coming to MCFM Jeff has taken on the responsibility of helping lower kyu ranks prepare for tests, and is becoming a great teacher. |
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Carl has been a student of MCFM Aikido since 2006. Carl is known for his excellent ukemi, having fun on the mat, and having precise technique. Carl has a "unique" sense of humor that makes every training session with him an adventure. |
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 Lynne has been an MCFM student since 2007 and came to us with a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and a brown belt in American Karate. She is an excellent instructor who taught Mathematics at Carleton College for many years. She has excellent technique and weapons work. She is also a professional artist who is known for her amazing watercolor paintings. Lynne also is integral to the continued success of our Kids Aikido Program. |
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Zach has been a student of MCFM since 2007. He previously studied Seidokan Aikido in Duluth and Aikikai Aikido while in college. He also studied Muay Thai for a period of time. Zach is an excellent instructor and uke, and is known for his excellent weapons work. He can also be seen on the mat helping out with kids classes on Monday nights. |
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Ken has been a student of MCFM Aikido since 2005 and is an invaluable part of the dojo family. Ken is a jack of all trades and is responsible for the majority of construction and the beautiful windows in the dojo. Ken works hard to make sure students learn techniques in an effective fashion while still maintaining the Aiki principles that are the base of Aikido. |
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Seth has been a student of MCFM Aikido since 2007 and helps in every aspect in and out of the dojo. He helps with adult and kids classes. He is often asked to be uke because of his skill and dedication to the art and his dojo. |
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Chuck has been a student of MCFM Aikido since 2007. He has 2 children in the Kids Aikido program and after they had been doing Aikido for about 2 years, he decided it would be fun to try it. He was hooked. Chuck can almost always be seen at the Kids Classes either instructing or helping the instructor. |
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