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About Aikido of Champlain Valley
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10:00am - 11:00am
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D. Hron / A. Messier
 
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Chief Instructor Benjamin Pincus


Ben Pincus Sensei
Benjamin Pincus
5th dan, shidoin

Sensei brings over 27 years of aikido experience to his classes. He studied under several direct students of O Sensei, beginning with the late M. Kanai Sensei (8th degree black belt) in 1982. During his undergraduate years studying philosophy, he apprenticed with the late Paul Sylvain Sensei (6th degree) and Y. Yamada Sensei (8th degree), Chairman of the United States Aikido Federation, Eastern Region. At New York Aikikai, he also studied under Seichi Sugano Sensei (8th degree) and became a student of Donovan Waite Sensei (7th degree). Seeking to deepen his understanding of Aikido after deciding to become an Aikido teacher, he studied in San Diego with K. Chiba Sensei (8th degree) in a kenshusei (intensive instructor's training) program.

Sensei also took classes from the late Terry Dobson Sensei (5th degree), the only American uchi deshi (direct student) of O Sensei. Terry Dobson was the first person to show the relationship between technical Aikido and verbal conflict resolution, writing the book "Giving in to Get Your Way" and a "Soft Answer: The Tokyo Train Story". Inspired by his example, Pincus Sensei enrolled in Woodbury College Mediation/Conflict Management Program in order to understand the relationship between verbal conflict resolution and Aikido. He is a conflict resolution and mediation trainer certified by Woodbury College.

Sensei married his long time partner and student, Heidi Albright, an assistant instructor at Aikido of Champlain Valley. On January 2nd, 2007, they had a child Caleb. He has discovered that the only thing more challenging than Aikido is parenting. "I am learning through Caleb to view my role as a teacher not as someone on the outside, sitting in judgment, but as another human being seeking to make sense of the complexities of the world in a compassionate way."

Sensei presently holds the rank of godan (5th degree black belt) and shidoin (certified instructor) with the United States Aikido Federation, Eastern Region and the International Aikido Federation in Tokyo, Japan. He is sandan (3rd degree) in Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido which he began studying under Paul Sylvan Shihan, and is affiliated with North American San Shin Kai.

Sensei is the only fully certified Aikido instructor in Vermont, and is dedicated to deepening his understanding of Aikido by attending and hosting seminars with senior instructors from around the world.

"My emphasis on traditional form allows students to develop fundamentals:  strength, grace, flexibility and effective technique.  Meanwhile, I make training accessible and challenging by integrating other traditions -- from yoga to zazen (Zen meditation) -- other martial arts and verbal conflict resolution. Aikido is not separate from daily life -- it provides students with a context to enrich themselves and their relationship with the surrounding world. A fundamental aspect of this growth involves gaining insight into the paradox of martial arts:  by learning how to fight one ultimately learns how to resolve conflict."

Other Instructors

Ed Pincus Ed Pincus
4th dan, fukushidoin
Ed began his Aikido training in 1982 at the age of 44 at the Harvard Aikido Club and New England Aikikai. After moving to Vermont, he continued his training at Vermont Aikido, first with Hugh Young, and then Terry Dobson Sensei, a direct student of O Sensei. In addition to teaching classes, Ed is a member of the ACV Technical Committee.

"I had been looking for a form of exercise that was not boring. I found Aikido incredibly challenging and always interesting. Moving to Vermont made it difficult to continue Aikido. At that time there were no established dojo in the state with advanced teachers. I trained with Hugh Young, who was very talented but a relative beginner. When Terry Dobson came to Vermont, my Aikido took on a new dimension. Terry became a friend

Terry stressed the connection between everyday life and training on the mat. In every Aikido technique, he hoped to embody the notion of protection (take musu aiki). He emphasized the relationship between who you are and your Aikido. Aikido was not only in your posture, but also in what you said and how you said it.
The next major change in my practice came when my son, Benjamin Pincus Sensei, opened a dojo in Winooski. It felt like exactly the kind of dojo where I wanted to learn and practice. It was also the first time since I was a beginner at New England Aikikai that I had a teacher in the traditional Japanese sense --even though in Japanese culture, it seems bizarre for a father to learn from his son.
Over the years I have worked out the connection between what Terry Dobson taught and the tradition represented by my son. When I teach, I try to show that connection."

Heidi Albright Heidi Albright
3rd dan, fukushidoin
Heidi began Aikido in 1993 with Arnie Dinowitz Sensei and Liz Dinowitz Sensei at Monadnock Aikikai, in Keene, NH. She became soto-deshi to Benjamin Pincus Sensei in 1997 when Aikido of Champlain Valley opened at its original location in Winooski, VT. Heidi and Benjamin were married in 1998.

In 2007 Heidi was awarded fukushidoin (teaching certification) and graduated from the soto-deshi program. Heidi is a member of the ACV Technical Committee and is currently 2nd dan in Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido. In addition to being a mother, she is a biologist, artist and graphic designer.

"Aikido has always been a path of transformation for me, on several levels. One thing becoming a mother has taught me is that nothing ever stays the same. This is also at the heart of Aikido--it is a method to change ourselves in positive ways, to find harmony where there was once conflict. I try to bring joy and my love of Aikido to my teaching, while still keeping a focus on intensive practice."

Debi Hron Debi Hron
2nd dan

Debi started Aikido in 1995 at Florida Aikikai under Peter Bernath, Shihan. She trained there for two years before moving to Vermont where she continues to study with Benjamin Pincus Sensei at Aikido of Champlain Valley.

"I started Aikido with my teenage son thinking it would be good for him and soon realized it was good for me also. It soon became a path of not only physical training, but also spirituality, compassion, and emotional healing for me. The compassion and teaching I received in the beginning helped restore a sense of trust that had been lost for many years. Being a soto-deshi helped to ingrain a habit of intensive daily practice that continues to be a focal point in my life today.

One of the unexpected gifts Aikido has given me is the inherent aspect of conflict resolution found within its philosophy. I have been able to translate the physical skills I've leaned on the mat to personal conflicts in my life with amazing results. In addition to all the wonderful life lessons I've gotten from Aikido, it continues to be just plain fun! And I plan to train until I'm 106."

Jason Pepe Jason Pepe
2nd dan

Jason began his Aikido practice in 1997 when he moved to Burlington, Vermont. He has studied with Benjamin Pincus Sensei since Aikido of Champlain Valley opened its doors. Jason also studies Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido in which he currently holds the rank 2nd dan.

In addition to his Aikido practice, Jason teaches college physics, plays music in local bands, and spends time with his family. His daughter Eva (age 9) also practices Aikido at ACV.

"When I first moved to Burlington I wanted to continue my training in Jujitsu. I thought of Aikido as a very gentle art that I might like to practice when I got much older. After I began training with Pincus Sensei I realized that Aikido training could be very intense. Aikido has some very basic principles, which are often very difficult to put into practice. This challenge is part of what I love about Aikido. One small insight can lead to a greater understanding of one's entire practice. I find that Aikido weapons training is essential in improving one's empty hands practice as it enables one to feel the relative strengths and weaknesses of body positions and movements. When I teach Aikido, I try to incorporate some fundamentals of weapons training in basic body movements."

Andre Messier Andre Messier
2nd dan

Andre has been training with Benjamin Pincus Sensei since he started Aikido in 1999. He was a member of the soto-deshi program for five years.

"I really like the variety in Aikido. Even from the same opening, there are a lot of different techniques that can be applied. When I teach, I try to focus on a small number of openings and show different techniques. "

Alex Perry Alex Perry
1st dan
Alex began training in 2002 at Aikido of Champlain Valley, where he studies intensively with Benjamin Pincus Sensei and spent two years as uchi-deshi. Alex also holds the rank of shodan in Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido. He regularly assists with the children's Aikido classes at ACV.

"Practicing Aikido can be an inquiry into life. There is much learning to do. It is an honor and a pleasure to train at ACV."

Aikido of Champlain Valley is a 501(c)(3) federal non-profit organization that admits students of any race, color, age, gender, and sexual preference to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities that are available to all members. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin in our educational, hiring and admissions policies.
Aikido of Champlain Valley is a member of the United States Aikido Federation
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