Ai ­ love
Ki ­ spirit
Do ­ way

Aikido translated is "The Way of Harmonious Spirit."

Aikido Institute of San Francisco was founded by G.E. Nomura Shihan, in June 1999. We are affiliated with the Birankai International, headed by T.K. Chiba Shihan; and Aikikai, Tokyo, Japan.

The purpose of Aikido Institute of San Francisco is to teach and develop the art of Aikido in the most modern and profound way, and through the training---cultivate character. The Chief Instructor is Gloria E. Nomura, Shihan, 6th dan.

Youth Classes (12 to 17 years old)
The practice of Aikido benefits children in many ways. Being a non-violent, non-competitive martial art, Aikido has a positive effect in the formation of the child's character. Discipline is an important part of their training. Physical and mental development, coordination of body, mind, and spirit enhance self-esteem and self-confidence.

Boken and Jo
Classes in classical Japanese weapons enhance and complement Aikido training.
The use of the boken (wooden sword) and jo (wooden staff), in solo exercises and paired practice aid in the development of correct stance, posture, timing and reflex.

Iaido
Iaido, the art of sword-drawing technique, is one of the most solitary of Japanese martial arts, and one of the most beautiful. The total concentration and intense awareness required, to perform the austere, elegant movements, aid in mental and spiritual development.

Our Teachers (Senseis)

Gloria E. Nomura, Shihan

Gloria E. Nomura, Chief Instructor, was promoted by T.K. Chiba Shihan to 6th Dan on January 2000 and Birankai Shihan on January 2002. She was certified as Shihan by Aikikai Hombu, Tokyo, Japan on November 2006.

She is a member of the Senior Council, Birankai North America.

G.E. Nomura founded Aikido Institute of San Francisco in June 1999. She teaches classes of aikido, boken and jo, and iaido.

Nomura Sensei began aikido training in 1975. In 1979 she co-founded West Los Angeles Aikido Institute with Pablo Vazquez (Shihan in 2001) Chief Instructor.
There, she was Senior Instructor until her departure in 1999 to establish AISF.
In 1981 she began training with T. Kazuo Chiba Shihan in aikido, weapons and iaido. In 1982, she began iaido training with Takeshi Mitsuzuka, Grand Master of San Shin Kai Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido.

Nomura Sensei has taught in Guadalajara, Mexico; Guatemala; Buenos Aires; Havana, Cuba; London; Strasbourg, Fr.; Prague; Athens, Greece and Siberia.

Nomura Sensei is featured in the following video films: Holding Up Half the Sky, 2004; The Art of Iaido - Way of the Sword, 2003; Aikido, Zen in the Martial Arts, 1985. She has appeared in several television shows.

Nomura Sensei's thoughts as a teacher: "The teacher-student relationship must be of respect toward each other. For the student, discipline and commitment to practice are essential. Conditioning of the body is important. Partners must help each other develop right attitude and strong body movements. My approach to teaching is to emphasize non-competition, non-violence, and non-confrontation, and the use of neutralization and redirection techniques to control attacks. The principles and philosophy learned in Aikido should be applied to situations encountered in our daily life. Enjoy practice."

Gloria E. Nomura attended the University of California, Berkeley/San Francisco and was awarded a B.S. degree from the School of Pharmacy. She (aka Gloria E. Shinto) attended graduate school at the University of Southern California, College of Pharmacy and was awarded M.S and Pharm. D degrees.

Scott McSpadden, Shidoin

Scott began training in Aikido in 1998 in Seattle, Washington with Bruce Bookman Sensei. He joined the Aikido Institute of San Francisco in 2001, and continues to train under the guidance of G. E. Nomura, Shihan. Scott is a 4th Dan (Aikikai) and a certified Birankai International Instructor (Shidoin).

Theresa Thadani, Sandan

Theresa began her Aikido training in 1998 at the Aikido Center in San Francisco. in 2002, she joined the Aikido Institute of San Francisco and has been training under the guidance of G.E. Nomura, Shihan. She holds the rank of 3rd Dan (Aikikai) and is a certified Birankai International Instructor (Fukushidoin). She also trains in Iaido.

Rob Schenk, Sandan

Rob began his Aikido training in 2000 at the Aikido Institute of San Francisco under the guidance of G.E. Nomura, Shihan. He holds the rank of 3rd Dan (Aikikai) and is a certified Birankai International Instructor (Fukushidoin). He also trains in Iaido.

Cesar Aldea, Nidan

Cesar began his Aikido training in 2001 at the Aikido Institute of San Francisco under the guidance of G.E. Nomura, Shihan. He holds the rank of 2nd Dan (Aikikai) and is a certified Birankai International Instructor (Fukushidoin). He also trains in Iaido.

Raymond Lee, Nidan

Ray began his Aikido training in 2002 at the Aikido Institute of San Francisco under the guidance of G.E. Nomura, Shihan. He holds the rank of 2nd Dan (Aikikai).