Chief Instructor Benjamin Pincus

Benjamin brings over 20 years of aikido experience to his classes. He studied under several direct students of O Sensei, beginning with 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. In addition, he studied in San Diego with K. Chiba Sensei (8th degree) in an intensive instructor's education program.

Ben presently holds the rank of 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 a Sandan in Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido which he began studying under Paul Sylvan Shihan, and is a member of the North American San Shin Kai. Ben is also a conflict resolution and mediation trainer certified by Woodbury College in Montpelier, Vermont.

"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."