Senior Instructors
Lowell Miller, 6th Dan
Marilyn St. John, 6th Dan Shidoin
David Smilow, 6th Dan Shidoin
Lowell has been training in Aikido since the mid-1970s. He's trained in New York, where he first met Konigsberg Sensei, as well as in England, France, Japan and at dojos throughout the US. He likes to study and explore the small and quiet dynamic inner moments that make our Aikido techniques effective. Off the mat, he's had careers in wri
Lowell has been training in Aikido since the mid-1970s. He's trained in New York, where he first met Konigsberg Sensei, as well as in England, France, Japan and at dojos throughout the US. He likes to study and explore the small and quiet dynamic inner moments that make our Aikido techniques effective. Off the mat, he's had careers in writing, publishing, investment management, and sculpture, in each case working to blend Aikido principles into activities and experience of daily life.
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David Smilow, 6th Dan Shidoin
Marilyn St. John, 6th Dan Shidoin
David Smilow, 6th Dan Shidoin
David began his Aikido training in Los Angeles in 1982. Luckily for him, when he moved to New York City a few years later, he lived only six blocks from the New York Aikikai. That made it very easy to practice almost every day, and he did - under the tutelage of Yamada Sensei, Sugano Sensei, Donovan Waite Sensei, and a host of other stell
David began his Aikido training in Los Angeles in 1982. Luckily for him, when he moved to New York City a few years later, he lived only six blocks from the New York Aikikai. That made it very easy to practice almost every day, and he did - under the tutelage of Yamada Sensei, Sugano Sensei, Donovan Waite Sensei, and a host of other stellar instructors who taught regularly there - including Harvey Konigsberg Sensei. David moved to the Hudson Valley in the early 90s, drawn in part by the excellence of the training offered at Woodstock Aikido, where he has been a member and instructor ever since.
Marilyn St. John, 6th Dan Shidoin
Marilyn St. John, 6th Dan Shidoin
Marilyn St. John, 6th Dan Shidoin
Marilyn started her Aikido practice in 1991 under Konigsberg Sensei. She has dedicated herself to training and teaching ever since. She has traveled to study intensively with notable Japanese Shihan, including Yamada Sensei, Sugano Sensei, Osawa Sensei, and Shibata Sensei. Her martial arts background includes Tang Soo Do karate since 1980
Marilyn started her Aikido practice in 1991 under Konigsberg Sensei. She has dedicated herself to training and teaching ever since. She has traveled to study intensively with notable Japanese Shihan, including Yamada Sensei, Sugano Sensei, Osawa Sensei, and Shibata Sensei. Her martial arts background includes Tang Soo Do karate since 1980; one year of committed training in Muy Thai with Guru Dan Inosanto; 15-plus years in Kung Fu and Qi Gong. She teaches yoga and Pilates in her private practice of balance and mobility for seniors. Her expertise is in teaching beginners and inspiring them to begin a journey that instills values, such as humility, honesty, and respect, while improving self-confidence, self-discipline, and fitness.
Bryan Golden, 6th Dan
Bryan Golden, 6th Dan
Bryan Golden, 6th Dan
Bryan has been practicing and teaching Aikido for over 30 years under Konigsberg Sensei. Bryan incorporates the principles of Aikido he has learned from Konigsberg Sensei into his teaching and practice. He shares the physical and philosophical attributes of Aikido with his students.
Bryan seeks to convey how lessons learned inside the
Bryan has been practicing and teaching Aikido for over 30 years under Konigsberg Sensei. Bryan incorporates the principles of Aikido he has learned from Konigsberg Sensei into his teaching and practice. He shares the physical and philosophical attributes of Aikido with his students.
Bryan seeks to convey how lessons learned inside the dojo can also be applied to conflict resolution in everyday life. He strives to share the gift of Aikido to all who seek to learn. Bryan loves that the principles of Aikido can be integrated into all aspects of one’s life. Bryan is a college professor, writer, and speaker.
Nick Ross, 4th Dan
Bryan Golden, 6th Dan
Bryan Golden, 6th Dan
Nick started his Aikido practice in 1991. He is an original student of Konigsberg Sensei.
May Lane, 2nd Dan
Bryan Golden, 6th Dan
May Lane, 2nd Dan
May's introduction to Aikido began when she started taking child/parent classes with her two daughters in 1999 at Twin Cities Aikido Center in St. Paul, MN. She was soon hooked by the power and beauty of Aikido. She has attended seminars taught by notable Shihan including Yamada, Waite, Takeguchi and Konigsberg. After receiving her shodan
May's introduction to Aikido began when she started taking child/parent classes with her two daughters in 1999 at Twin Cities Aikido Center in St. Paul, MN. She was soon hooked by the power and beauty of Aikido. She has attended seminars taught by notable Shihan including Yamada, Waite, Takeguchi and Konigsberg. After receiving her shodan in 2015, she became chief youth instructor at Twin Cities Aikido Center. In 2016 she moved to Woodstock to continue studying with Konigsberg Sensei. May is drawn to the spiritual aspects of Aikido, particularly the principle of masakatsu agatsu. She is grateful to be training with so many high-ranking aikidoka, and for the strong sense of joy, support, and community fostered by Konigsberg Sensei.