Chief Instructor
Kimberly Richardson, MA, LMT, began her 32 years of Aikido training at Naropa Institute in 1978 and shortly after moved to Seattle to train with Mary Heiny Sensei. Determined athleticism, psychotherapy practices and energy awareness skills are key elements of her spirited teaching.
Kimberly has studied throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan, most notably with Anno Shihan, Saotome and Ikeda Shihan, and Dobson and Read Senseis. She acted as chief instructor for The Apple Computer Aikido School in Cupertino, CA in 1989 and at Seattle School of Aikido from 1991 to 1995. In the fall of 1995, Kimberly founded Two Cranes Aikido, where she teaches the philosophy and practice of Aikido to people of all ages. As an adjunct faculty member at Antioch University for 10 years, she taught "Aikido as Martial Art and Spiritual Practice." Kimberly Sensei was promoted to the rank of 6th Dan by Mary Heiny Sensei in 2007.
Richardson Sensei's teaching style supports the individual growth of each student. In addition to teaching Aikido, she practices tai ji and ballroom dancing, and includes elements of these art forms in her curriculum at the dojo. Kimberly is a consultant and trainer, offering workshops in conflict resolution, effective management styles and self-defense to corporations and to educational groups. In 2008, Kimberly organized the nonprofit foundation Two Cranes Institute. Her goal is to advance the common good by integrating O Sensei's practices of compassion and applied nonviolence into the larger Seattle community of children, teens and adults.
Two Cranes Aikido History
Two Cranes Aikido opened its doors to the Greenlake neighborhood on October 1, 1995. Since that time, we have grown from an inspired group of five to over 100 children and adult students.
When my time came to move from the position of Chief Instructor of Seattle School of Aikido, my husband Dan McAbee found the perfect space near Green Lake in north Seattle for our school. With 4,000 pounds of rubber dust, a canvas cover to make a mat, plus the expansive windows to bring in light and the curiosity of passersby, we grew in capacity and diversity. But we didn't know what to call ourselves.
We held an open house to celebrate, and one of my colleagues brought a gift box with two cranes on the lid. "There you go flying together to your next school creation," someone said. In Japan, cranes are associated with peace and fidelity. Mating for life, they are considered by many to be the bird of happiness. Other myths suggest that the powerful wings of the crane enable them to fly between heavenly worlds and take people to higher levels of spiritual consciousness. I thought if we gave homage to this honorable bird, we would be guided in the right direction.
In the 10 years we spent at Greenlake, we offered classes seven days a week, began a teenager training program, and invited senseis from around the world to conduct weekend seminars for our students and those of the greater Seattle community.
In 2006, we relocated to the Maple Leaf neighborhood, a few short miles 
from our original school, and were blessed with a larger space, high ceilings, new mats and bamboo floors. The 4,000 square feet is a sacred space that invites tranquility, earnest learning and spiritual renewal. The calligraphies on the wall inspire us to maintain our focus, cultivate a sense of relaxation and curiosity for life, and create inspiration.
As our practice has evolved so too has our dojo culture, including members who come from all over town and share their talent and their curiosity on and off the mat. The community provides not just training, but affords its members a way to share the joys and challenges of everyday life in a safe and respectful environment. Each of our students has contributed towards making our school a creative and vibrant learning environment.
Instructors
David Hurley, 4th Dan, began his training in 1975 at the age of 16 with Frank Doran Sensei. One of the most experienced members of the dojo, he has studied with Saotome Sensei, and was a senior instructor at North Bay Aikido in Santa Cruz, CA, and Chief Instructor of Seattle School of Aikido. He works as Director
of Departmental Computing for the Biology Department at the University
of Washington.
Dan McAbee, 4th Dan, and co-founder of Two Cranes Aikido began his Aikido training in 1990 with Kimberly Richardson. Prior to training in Aikido, Dan practiced Tae Kwon Do for over 10 years. He studies Aikibojitsu with Tom Read Sensei and is a Certified Instructor of the art. He also practices Tai Ji Chen form and push hands. Dan has flown for Alaska Airlines since 1982.
Anne Yamane, 5th Dan, started on her Aikido path in 1983 under the instruction of Mary Heiny Sensei. In addition to teaching at Two Cranes for 14 years, she was Co-Chief Instructor for Seattle School of Aikido from 1990-1995. Anne is a senior performing member of Northwest Taiko and teaches taiko classes at the dojo. Professionally, she is a certified orthotist, lecturer and Prosthetics-Orthotics Program Director in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Washington.
Joey Perlmutter, 4th Dan, began his Aikido study in 1985 at Bond Street Dojo in New York. Joey trained in Seattle for the past 16 years and has instructed at Two Cranes since we opened our doors in 1995. Joey is the manager of Vios Cafe, a bustling caldron of pressure that enables his Aikido practice to emerge.
Richard Darby, 2nd Dan, began his Aikido training in 1990 with Kimberly Richardson. A founding members, he helped build our first dojo space, he is also responsible for fine-tuning the construction our our new school. Not just an excellent woodworker, Richard is a computer doctor for Eddie Bauer.
Kristen Allott, 3rd Dan, started training in Aikido 1992 in Burlington, VT. Inspired by Mary Heiny Sensei's teaching that her self-critic didn't need to dominate her internal life, she dedicated herself to the practice. In 1997, Kristen joined Two Cranes Aikido where she trains and teaches teens and adults. Kristen is a naturopathic doctor and licensed acupuncturist who founded Dynamic Paths, which offers biological non-pharmaceutical treatments for mental health concerns.
Cynthia Wold, 3rd Dan, began training Aikido in 1996 with Kimberly Richardson. She believes that this practice is a good anchor for sanity. She teaches our adult students. Professionally, she has practiced massage therapy since 1989 and taught at Seattle Massage School for over 13 years. She is also a Certified Pilates Instructor.
Sara Gerhart Snell, 3rd Dan, and her three children began training at Two Cranes Aikdo in the spring of 1998. Two of her children have since attained the rank of shodan. Sara teaches both adult and chldren's classes and acts as the Director of Two Cranes Children's and Teen Program. Aikido's graceful and powerful forms along with her own playful nature drive her passion for working with children of all ages. Sara holds a masters degree in Music, runs a small garden design business, and has successfully launched her three children into the world of college and beyond.
Jim Allbaugh, 2nd Dan, began his training with Joanne Veneziano Sensei in Seattle, WA. He has over 15 years of training and came to Two Cranes in 1998, where he trains and teaches both the teenagers and adults. Jim is a certified rolfer trained in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and therapeutic relationships.
Taryn Sass, 2nd Dan, began training in 1996, when she was obtaining her degree in Earth Sciences from UC Santa Cruz. After graduating and moving to Seattle, she joined Two Cranes Aikido and continued her quest to train and teach teens and adults in a joyful manner. As a geologist, she takes pride in being the earthy one in the dojo and strives to add more fluidity to her practice.
Jen Stoakes, 2nd Dan, began her formal training in Aikido with Kimberly Richardson in 1998, earning a first degree black belt in 2005. Due to her father's Aikido practice, her philosophical education in Aikido started at a very young age. As a psychotherapist, Jen blends Aikido and existential phenomenological psychology in working with children and adults. In addition to her private practice, she manages the office at Two Cranes and acts as Director of our Mini-Cranes Program that provides instruction for four and five-year-olds.
Jessica Levin, 2nd Dan, took her 10th kyu test at the age of 7. After years of other activities, she rediscovered Aikido in college, and has been training ever since. She teaches children and adult classes. She also assists us with our special trainings for outside groups like Aikido for Soccer Girls. She graduated from law school in 2008 and now works as a law clerk for the Washington State Court of Appeals. She loves Aikido for a different reason every day.
Dan Murnan, 2nd Dan, is founder and CEO of Cybergolf established in 1995 with clients across 47 state and five countries. Dan holds a business degree from the University of San Diego where he captained the golf team. Dan has been training in Aikido since 1995 and he credits the philosophy of Aikido to his success in the competitive internet business world.
Robert Chang, 2nd Dan, began his Aikido training in 2002 at Aikido West with Frank Doran Shihan. In 2004 Robert moved to Seattle and joined Two Cranes Aikido. Robert has been a student of Kimberly Richardson Sensei since then and received his Nidan in 2009. He is one of the primary teachers of our Introductory Program. He also holds a black belt in Taekwando.
Taiko
Taiko Classes are taught by Anne Yamane and study the form of American taiko, incorporating traditions from Japan and influences from the North American taiko community. Taiko is the Japanese word for drum and the name of the art form. Through integrating principles of Aikido, students will explore grounding, centering, movement, and energy while developing technical drumming skills. Beginners are welcome on Wednesday night classes after contacting the instructor.
Anne Yamane began playing taiko with Northwest Taiko in 1990. She has used taiko as a practice to explore the principles of Aikido and the flow of energy through sound and movement. Anne is a 5th degree black belt in Aikido and combines her skill in both disciplines in her inspired teaching.
Tai Ji
Taiji Chen form and Push Hands with Ken Wright The Chen Style 48 Form is part of the Hun Yuan system of Grand Master Feng Zhu Chieng taught to Ken Wright by the revered teacher, Madame Gao Fu. The principles we study include grounding, body structure, balance, silk reeling and explorations of various expressions of Jing. Beginners and experienced practitioners are welcome.
The Taiji Push Hands class explores the two-person interactive element of Taiji including pattern exercises (single, double and four hands) from both the Yang and Chen styles, fixed restricted and moving-step drills, and free-style. We will also examine similarities and differences with other martial arts, particularly Aikido. Co-taught by Ken Wright Sifu, and 4th Dan McAbee Sensei.
Ken Wright has been a practitioner of Taiji and related arts for over 30 years. After moving to Seattle in 1996, Ken studied privately with Master Madame Gao Fu, a revered Chen style practitioner. Ken is also a student of Push Hands Champion Sam Masich of Canada, and Andy Dale of Seattle. Ken currently teaches 30 classes per week at various locations throughout King County, including Swedish Hospital in Seattle, Bellevue College, and Two Cranes Aikido in Seattle. He has worked with many people with physical problems, including stroke, M.S., lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, orthopedic injuries and anxiety.