Beginners to Advanced

Richard Vegas has dedicated over eight years to the study and practice of Aikido, training extensively within the Iwama Shinshin Aiki Shurenkai tradition. He attained the rank of Shodan, issued under Kaicho Saito Hitohira Soke, reflecting his commitment to the strong foundation principles of weapons study, and the technical precision of traditional Iwama-style Aikido. In addition to his core training, Richard has actively sought broader experience across multiple Aikido disciplines, including Yoshinkan and other schools of Iwama Ryu Aikido as well as broader studies in traditional Japanese martial arts. Richard is passionate about sharing Iwama Ryu Aikido as both an effective martial art, and a lifelong path of learning and personal development, fostering respect, awareness, confidence and effective technique through dedicated practice. Iwama Shinshin Aiki Shurenkai is distinguished by its preservation of traditional Iwama-style Aikido, emphasizing strong technical foundations, precise technique, and the direct integration of weapons training ( bokken and jo ) with reflection and direct integration of empty-hand techniques - taijutsu. It maintains a strong martial structure through disciplined kihon ( static ) training, clear body mechanics, realistic attacks, and practical application. The style also places significant importance on traditional dojo etiquette, technical accuracy, and preserving the teachings passed down through the Iwama lineage of Morihei Ueshiba, Morihiro Saito, and Hitohira Saito.