Our head instructor is Josef Birdsong, who holds a 5th^_-degree black belt and has been teaching aikido since 1974. He is also on the faculty of Austin Community College where he began the aikido program in 1986. He began his training in 1970 in Sacramento, California, under the teaching of Mr. Dang Tri, 6^_th Dan.

In 1974 he moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he began training under Akira Tohei Shihan, chief instructor of the Midwest Aikido Federation and technical director of the United States Aikido Federation.

Birdsong Sensei is Shidoin with the United States Aikido Federation, a position that gives him the authority to promote students up to two ranks beneath his current rank.

Birdsong Sensei studied 26 of his 32 years of practice under Tohei Shihan. ("Shihan" means "Master Instructor.")

In addition to Josef Birdsong, our senior black belt students conduct classes on the occassions when Birdsong Sensei is out of town. There are currently seven black belts practicing in the dojo. The majority of these students have at least 10 years of aikido experience.

Birdsong Sensei has a masters in Physical Education and extensive background in elementary, secondary and college sports coaching and teaching.

Click here to view a demonstration by Sensei Birdsong.