Instructors

Brian Heery, Ph.D. (Transpersonal Psychology)

Fourth Degree Black Belt

Brian has been training sincerely in Aikido since 1995, and Tai Chi since 1992. He spent two years training intensely in Japan with his Aikido teacher, Kato Sensei (8th degree black belt), and continues to travel to Japan twice a year. Brian has trained with Bob Frager (7th degree black belt) and Sue Ann McKean (5th degree black belt) since 1995.
Brian was born in Ireland and moved to the United States when he was sixteen years of age. He was the senior national gymnastics champion in Ireland and competed in two world championships 1985 and 1987. He was the assistant men's gymnastics coach at Stanford University for two years helping the Cardinal to their first NCAA championship in 22 years in the 1991/1992 season. He attended the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology in Palo Alto and received his Ph.D. in Transpersonal Psychology in June 2003. His dissertation investigated peak and mystical experiences in the practice of Aikido.

Renato Tuazon

Third Degree Black Belt

Renato has been training in Aikido since 1995, he has trained with McKean Sensei (5th dan) and Frager sensei (7th dan) for many years. Renato has a firm grasp of the sword and staff system taught by Kato sensei (8th dan). He has trained with Kato sensei at his seminars here in California since 1998, and continues to travel to Japan occasionally to further his training with Kato sensei. Renato has been teaching at De Anza college for many years and he has generously brought his talents and skills as a teacher and Aikidoist to the Rocky Valley community since 2002. Renato is one of the teachers of the kids classes.