Our Instructors

Arturo Peal, 6th dan, shidoin (certified instructor)

Arturo is our Chief Instructor and teaches kids classes.  His Aikido journey began in Seattle in 1983 with Mary Heiny Sensei. In 1987 & 1989 he was member of a group that brought Aikido to Moscow with K. Barrish Sensei. He joined the United States Aikido Federation in 1995, he is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the United States Aikido Federation. He is also a member of the USAF Working Group focusing on gender and racial equity issues in aikido. Previously, he directed the kids programs at Seattle School of Aikido and Aikido of Santa Barbara. 

Arturo Sensei has studied in the US, Canada and Europe with Yamada Sensei, Konigsberg Sensei, Peter and Penny Bernath Senseis, Tissier Sensei, Dobson Sensei and Tamura Sensei.

Arturo holds a Master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine, is a long time member of the National Sports Massage Team, and he has over 45 years of clinical bodywork experience. He integrates his body knowledge into teaching Aikido.

Lawrence Ozenberger, 5th dan, Sensei Emeritus

Larry was a founding member of our dojo in 1994 and was the Chief Instructor until 2019. He is a co-leader of the meditation group and comes for dan (black belt) testing.

David Cody, 4th dan, fukushidoin (certified assistant instructor)

David began to practice Aikido in 1993 at San Francisco Aikikai under the direction of Joel Posluns, 7th dan, shihan.

Sara Hubbard, 1st dan

Sara started studying aikido at Aikido of Santa Barbara when she was 17.  She received her black belt under Donovan Waite Sensei in Philadelphia and recently moved to New Orleans. Sara teaches the dojo’s women’s workshops.