Our Instructors
At Northcoast Aikido we strive to offer a broad spectrum of pathways through which an individual can explore Aikido. To that end we have a large teaching staff who rotate through the schedule.
On November 29th, 2023, Dojo Founder and Chief Instructor John Thomas Read formally passed the position of Chief Instructor and Dojo Cho to Robert Ekholdt, 8th dan Aikido, 8th dan Aikibojitsu.
Tom Read, Dojo Founder
Read Sensei began formal Aikido study in 1969 as a way to broaden and deepen his study of Zen meditation. In 1974, Read Sensei moved to Shingu, Japan where he studied under Masters Michio Hikitsuchi (Aikido 10th dan), Yasushi Tojima Sensei, and other senior teachers of the Aiki Kumano Juku Dojo. After returning from Japan, Read Sensei opened Northcoast Aikido in 1977 with formal written sanction from Master Michio Hikitsuchi. Since then he has become known for his ability to teach the full variety of Aikido technique in a concise, clear, and powerful way.
Read Sensei is the founder of the unique staff art of Aikibojitsu. More on that subject can be found at aikibojitsu.com.
Robert Ekholdt, Dojo Cho
Robert started his training at Northcoast Aikido in 1987. He has been training with Tom Read Sensei ever since in both Aikido and Aikibojitsu, and is a senior instructor in both arts. Robert enjoys the continued exploration of these arts and the lifelong study they present.
Teaching Staff
MONDAY CLASS
Jeremy Wheeler - 5th dan
A lifelong student of movement and stillness, Jeremy began training in Aikido in 1998 under Jiro Oshi and Kyoko Naguchi (then students of Takanari Higuchi Sensei of Kyoto, Japan). He began studying Aikido and Aikibojitsu under Tom Read Sensei in 1999, who appointed him to Northcoast Aikido’s teaching staff in 2005. Jeremy has also served as the Board President of the nonprofit Northcoast Aikido Foundation since February 2011.
FRIDAY CLASS
Beau Saunders - 4th dan
After studying Taekwondo for several years Beau started training in Aikido in 2009 at Aikido of Santa Cruz with Linda Holiday Sensei. After 7 years of practice in Santa Cruz (including 30 months as uchideshi) he moved to Humboldt County in the fall of 2016 and started training at Northcoast Aikido. He has enjoyed becoming a part of the Northcoast Aikido community. In his practice he studies to cultivate efficiency of movement, natural posture and a heart of gratitude. Beau enjoys traveling and meeting new people (on and off the mat), and hopes to deepen his study in the coming years.
WEDNESDAY CLASS
Tom Jacobson - 5th dan
Tom began training at Northcoast Aikido in the spring of 1996. He learned about teaching young people from Peggy Ilene and Teresa Kung, assisting in their classes. Tom has now been teaching at our dojo for over a decade.
“The lessons I have learned, along with the relationships I’ve developed at our beautiful dojo have influenced me deeply and have improved the quality of my life beyond measure. I hope for all people to one day experience peace together”
SATURDAY CLASS - Aikibojitsu
Robert Ekholdt - 8th dan
For more information on Read Sensei’s art of Aikibojitsu, please refer to aikibojitsu.com
Classes may also be taught by other instructors, as dictated by scheduling needs.
Peggy Ilene - 6th dan; Johnny Newsome - 6th dan; Kray Van Kirk - 6th dan; Hal Genger - 5th dan; Carl Tissol - 5th dan;
Doug Knox, 1949-2009 in memoriam
Doug Knox Sensei started training at Northcoast Aikido in 1977, after receiving his shodan at a different school. He was a rare human being who embodied his Aikido training, especially his ukemi, with relentless honesty and an enduring courage in his effort to understand the universe and his place in it. The dojo is a little less bright because of his passing, and he is badly missed to this day.
