Frank Bloksberg Sensei, Yondan (4th Degree Black Belt), Chief Instructor
Frank Bloksberg Sensei began training in Aikido in Southern California in the early 1970s. After training for a few years, Frank Sensei left active training and went on to become a professional musician and then lawyer.
Frank Sensei went back to active training when his young son, Alex, came home from school and explained that a nice teacher there was offering Aikido lessons. When Alex began training, Frank Sensei joined in. By the way, that nice teacher is Asia Currie.
Frank Sensei has trained extensively with his former teacher, Michael Friedl Shihan (Aikido of Ashland, Oregon) and, whenever possible, Frank Doran Shihan (Aikido West in Redwood City). Up until opening Aikido’Ka, Frank Sensei was a member of Mountain Wind Aikido in Nevada City, California and a student of Jan Kirkpatrick Sensei. Here is a sampling of other teachers Frank Sensei has trained with and who have significantly influenced his training and teaching: Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan (Boulder Aikikai), Cyndy Hayashi Sensei (Aikido West), Kimberly Richardson Sensei (Two Cranes Aikido), Julio Toribio Sensei (Monterey Budokan), Danielle Smith Sensei (Aikido of Monterey), Tom Gambell Sensei (East Bay Aikido), Craig Fife Sensei (Aikido Northwest) and Chuck Hauk Sensei (Aikido of Eugene).
Frank Sensei’s teaching is influenced by his study of the bio-mechanical aspects of Aikido. When performed properly, Aikido looks and feels like magic. But, magic has nothing to do with it. Rather, Aikido techniques are ingenious applications of the laws of physics. Frank Sensei emphasizes martially effective Aikido.
The study and practice of Aikido principles help Frank Sensei in all aspects of his life. As a litigation attorney, Frank Sensei deals with people who are under tremendous stress. These people are often looking for some kind of fight. Likewise, some attorneys approach practicing law as if it were a type of war. Aikido principles and training help Frank Sensei work to unravel disputes and make resolving them much easier.
In his law practice, Frank Sensei represents only people and small companies. While Frank Sensei has experience representing large corporations, he has not done so in years. While large corporations have their pick of excellent lawyers, the average person can have a very difficult time hiring a first-rate lawyer. Frank Sensei provides that representation.
To contact Frank Sensei about legal or dispute resolution issues, please call him at his office at (530) 478-0170.
Mark Zwagerman Sensei, Yondan (4th Degree Black Belt)
Mark teaches our Thursday evening weapons classes with Jane Hill. Mark also teaches our ukemi lab classes on Sunday. The ukemi classes are are true dojo favorite. The classes are not simply about how to fall. Instead, the ukemi classes are a close study of how to bring and maintain a martially effective attack and maintain that spirit throughout the technique — all in the spirit of cooperation critical to successful practice.
Mark is also our leading dojo trainer for people working on black belt level testing.
Mark has been Linda Holiday Sensei’s student (Aikido of Santa Cruz) since he began training in 1990. Here is a sampling of other teachers Mark has trained with and who have significantly influenced his training and teaching: Michael Friedl Shihan (Aikido of Ashland), Richard Strozzi Heckler Sensei (Two Rock Aikido), Kimberly Richardson Sensei (Two Cranes Aikido) and Jamie Zimron Sensei.
Jane Hill, Yondan (4th Degree Black Belt)
Jane teaches our Thursday evening weapons classes with Mark Zwagerman. She emphasizes solid, basic aikido and weapons training. Jane also emphasizes having fun in training.
Jane has been training for over 20 years, and holds black belts in aikido and Seibukan jujutsu. She loves to train and travels to other dojos on a regular basis.
Jane is a retired travel agent and has traveled throughout the world extensively. In fact, Jane continues to love visiting exotic and amazing places.
Jane Hill actively trains with her teacher, Michael Friedl Shihan (Aikido of Ashland, Oregon) and, when possible, Frank Doran Shihan (Aikido West in Redwood City). Up until Aikido’Ka opened, Jane Hill was a member of Mountain Wind Aikido in Nevada City, California and a student of Jan Kirkpatrick Sensei.