Ikeda Shihan is the Founder and Chief Instructor of Boulder Aikikai in Boulder, Colorado. He currently holds the rank of 7th Dan through the Aikikai World Headquarters (Hombu Dojo). When circumstances allow, Ikeda Shihan travels extensively as a guest instructor, conducting Aikido seminars at dojos around the world.
His teaching emphasizes learning and understanding Aikido with the body, specifically the concept of “chushin” or how to maintain one’s own center while breaking another’s balance. In addition to his responsibilities as an instructor and ambassador of Aikido, he also founded several companies and organizations, including a proprietary martial arts clothing and equipment design company, Bu Jin Design, and Aikido Bridge, an organization created to bring together teachers and students from different Aikido organizations and backgrounds to share their skills, build friendships, and support the future growth of Aikido.
In 2016 he joined the Aikido Shimbokukai organization as Vice President, working very closely with its Director, Lisa Tomoleoni Sensei.