Kimberly Richardson Dojocho, MA, LMT 7th Dan

Kimberly began her 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.

Dan McAbee 6th Dan, 6th Dan Aikibojitsu

Dan is a co-founder of Two Cranes Aikido who 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, is 5th Dan and a Licensed Teacher of the art. He also practices Tai Ji Chen form and push hands. Dan has flown for Alaska Airlines since 1982, although now he is retired and enjoys playing golf and riding his motorcycle.

Dave Hurley 6th Dan

Began his study of Aikido in 1974 after readingAikido inDaily Lifeby Koichi Tohei. He was fascinated by the idea of a non-competitive martial art that didn’t relay on physical strength. He asked around and found a small dojo led by Frank Doran Sensei. After watching one class he was completely hooked -for life. Outside the dojo he applies Aikido principles tohis interactions with other people. He says “If I can be aware of someone else’s intent then I can try to align with it rather than react to it. It’s and ongoing practice, not an accomplishment.” When not at the dojo he works at the University of Washington or is bicycling, hiking or playing with his granddaughter.

Greg Mock 5th Dan

Began his study of Aikido in 1972 with Frank Doran Sensei at the University of California at Santa Cruz, drawn by the idea of blending rather than aggression to resolve conflict. In Santa Cruz, he also trained under Mary Heiny Sensei and Linda Holiday Sensei. Later, he became a founding member and instructor at North Bay Aikido in Santa Cruz. Greg is also a longtime student of Saotome Sensei. After moving to the Washington, DC area in the mid-1990s, he trained with Saotome Sensei and taught at Aikido Shobukan Dojo—Saotome Sensei’s home dojo—until moving to Seattle in 2010. He is now a member of the Board of Directors of Two Cranes Institute.Greg often uses Aikido sword forms to explore Aiki body movement, energy extension, and spiritual intent. Outside of the dojo, Greg analyzes and writes about successful models of sustainable development in the developing world as a consultant for the United Nations. He is also an avid gardener.

Taryn Sass 4th Dan

Began training in 1996, while 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 herquest to train and teach in a joyful manner. While stillworking and training, she later returned to school at the University of Washington to get a Masters in Engineering. As a geologist and a civil engineer, Taryn enjoys both the details and the harmonious framework of Aikido. She strives to add peace, serenity and good humor to all aspects of her life.

Tim Schmelter, 4th Dan

Began aikido in Austin, Texas, in 2003 because it was the closest thing he could find to real-life Jedi training. He was one of the founding members of South Austin Aikido and trained there until he moved to Seattle in 2013, where he began training with Kimberly Richardson Sensei. He applies Aikido's lessons about staying grounded and entering directly into challenging situations every day in his job as a software developer.

Dennis Johnson 3rd Dan

Began training in Aikido at Two Cranes in 2007 at the age of 55. As a psychologist working in organizations, he knows that the number one people management problem is conflict avoidance or aggression. He chose Aikido because he believes in its underlying philosophy that people have to enter conflict situations with the intent to find win-win solutions. He feels that Aikido provides its practitioners with the self-confidence to be assertiveand respect others so that cooperative interactions are formed. It is a more sustainable model for peace in the worldthan win-lose models. He is now retired and pursues his interests in travel, history, learning about other cultures, reading, movies, playing guitar, skiing, volunteer work, being politically active, and staying connected to his family, friends, and community.