DOJO INSTRUCTORS
Josef Birdsong, 7th Dan, ShihaN, chief instructor
Josef Birdsong Sensei 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, 6th Dan. In 1974 he began attending the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champagne, where he began training under Akira Tohei, chief instructor of the Midwest Aikido Federation and technical director of the United States Aikido Federation.
Birdsong Sensei is a Shihan of the Shin Kaze Aikido Alliance (SKAA), and studied under Tohei Shihan from 1974 to 1999. He was an apprentice at the Midwest Aikido Center from 1978 to 1980, and part of Tohei-Sensei's teaching program until 1999. Birdsong Sensei has a masters in Physical Education and extensive background in elementary, secondary and college sports coaching and teaching.
Ismael Rangel, 6th DaN
Ismael joined Aikido of Austin in January of 1988 after attending a demonstration by Sensei Birdsong. Having no martial arts background or interest in any physical sports, the philosophy and ideas behind Aikido were the main attraction for the just turned 30 year old. It provided a means of training to deal with a more physically demanding job he had recently started as a Probation officer with the Juvenile court. Several career and life changes have occurred, but his Aikido practice has remained constant.
Much of his development in Aikido comes from being fortunate enough to study with Sensei Birdsong for over 20 years. Many of his classes are colored by practicing with a sense of peace and fluidity, while maintaining a vigorous pace.
Nancy Birdsong, 5th DaN
Nancy Birdsong is a godan (5th degree black belt) and an emeritus board member. She has engaged in officer positions with the Board since 1990, and directs brand management and design for the organization.
Nancy started training with Aikido of Austin in 1989. Previously a student of Tai Chi and an athlete since high school, Nancy was initially attracted to the graceful, interactive, and dynamic qualities she found in Aikido after a friend invited her to try a few classes. At the time she expected to train in Aikido for only a few months. Now, years later in her practice she continues to be drawn to the cooperative nature of the movements, the unspoken aspects, the inevitable health benefits, and the community of the dojo.
James Goeman, 5th DaN
James first joined Aikido of Austin in the fall of 1988, having trained in a variety of other martial arts as a child and young adult. He left the dojo and the city of Austin to pursue a graduate degree in 1992, and joined the local Seidokan aikido club at his university. He was awarded a shodan by Seidokan founder Rod Kobayashi Sensei, and then went to Denton, Texas to enroll in a doctoral program.
While in Denton, James founded an aikido club at the University of North Texas in 1994, and then an off-campus dojo in 1995. After the death of Kobayashi Sensei, James asked for Birdsong Sensei’s assistance and through him re-affiliated with the Midwest Aikido Federation under Akira Tohei Sensei in 1996. After earning his doctorate, James returned to Austin in 2002 and once again joined Aikido of Austin.
James enjoys practicing simple and effective techniques with an emphasis on weapons training.