Peter Bernath Shihan, 7th Dan

Chief instructor Peter Bernath is an Shichidan (7th degree black belt) and Shihan (master teacher) awarded by Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba, and a member of the Technical Committee of the USAF. Sensei Bernath also holds a Shodan in Iaido.

Sensei Bernath started his Aikido career in 1972 under the direction of Shihan Yoshimitsu Yamada, 8th dan, chief instructor of New York Aikikai and Chairman of the USAF. Yamada Sensei was an uchi deshi (live-in student) of O Sensei and is one of the most respected and influential Aikido teachers in the world today.

Sensei Bernath was an instructor at New York Aikikai prior to being sent to open Florida Aikiaki by Yamada Sensei. Mr. Bernath has traveled extensively throughout the world including Japan and has been fortunate to study under many of O Sensei's most famous disciples, including Kisshomaru and Moriteru Ueshiba, the second and third Doshu (leader of Aikido). Sensei Bernath is one of he most highly respected Aikido instructors in the United States and regularly teaches seminars throughout the USAF, Canada, Latin America and Europe.

Senior Instructor - Penny Bernath, 6th Dan, Shidoin

Penny Bernath is a senior instructor at Florida Aikikai and also travels throughout the USAF conducting seminars. She is one of the USAFs most senior woman instructors and is a member of the USAF Board of Governors.

Short Interview with Penny Sensei

Sensei, when did you start practicing Aikido?

I started Aikido in 1973 here in Hollywood, Florida with my sensei Steve House. He encouraged me and nurtured me. I was a very un-athletic, timid, and awkward girl. I couldn't comprehend the subtleties of complicated techniques but I could feel and naturally understand the basic flow of the movements. Complicated technical details still elude me but I enjoy practicing and exploring basic Aikido movement.

Which teachers have you studied under?

Yamada Sensei is my teacher and has had the greatest influence on me. Kanai Sensei and Chiba Sensei were also prominate in my training. I spent many years traveling to seminars and training with these special teachers and hosting them here at Florida Aikikai seminars. I am very lucky to have had their influence in my life and I'm grateful for the opportunity.

What type of work do you do outside the dojo?

I am an Early Childhood Training Specialist for the Mailman Segal Institute for Early Childhood Studies at Nova Southeastern University. I teach teachers what and how to teach children ages zero to five. I am also an Education Content Producer for our local PBS affiliate and, as such, the creator of a new online training for pre-kindergarten teachers called KidVision VPK. Please go there and check it out.www.KidVisionVPK.org.

Harry McCormick - 5th Dan

Harry McCormick began practicing Aikido with Yamada Sensei in 1966. Harry is an artist and worked out of a studio upstairs from the New York Aikikai dojo for many years. When he married and started a family, he moved to Boca Raton and has been practicing at Florida Aikikai ever since. His son Sean, 9, also practices Aikido.

Tariq Baig -5th Dan

Mike Patino -4th Dan

Jeff Shimonski - 4th Dan

Gene Nelson - 4th Dan

Gene Nelson started practicing Aikido in 1991 under Sensei Bernath. He chose Aikido because he was attracted to the fluidity and beauty of the movement. He also trained in karate(Shotokan) for 16 years prior to his Aikido training, reaching the rank of nidan. He is currently employed as a police officer and also enjoys teaching.

Roger Gonzalez- 3rd Dan

Dr. Roger Geertz Gonzalez began training in Aikido in 1990 under Troy Ferguson at Aikikai International Inc. in Miami. From 1991 to 1993 he trained with Nelson Andujar at Miami Aikikai where he also studied Miyama Ryu Jujitsu. Since 1993 until the present, he has been studying and teaching Aikido at Florida Aikikai. Between 1999 and 2002, he was also co-instructor with David Hurtibise at Allegheny Aikikai in Pennsylvania where he also received his Ph.D. in Higher Education at Penn State University. While at Penn State he also studied Iaido, Kendo, and Chinese Bo Staff. Other martial arts he has studied include: Brazilian Jujitsu, Judo, and Karate.

Gini Becart - 2nd Dan

Janet Lowe - 2nd Dan

Gerry Streeter -2nd Dan

Randall Smith - 2nd Dan

Jorge Castillo - 1st Dan

Sachin Mayi - 1st Dan

Sachin Mayi started practicing Aikido in 1995. He currently holds the rank of shodan and has studied under Sensei Angel Alvarez and Sensei Peter Bernath. Sachin is the Founder and current President of Share-A-Pet, which provides pet assisted therapy to people in need.

Anne Marie Giri - 1st Dan

Anne Marie Giri started training at Florida Aikikai in January 2000 while attending law school at Nova Southeastern University. She chose Aikido because she needed an outlet to handle the stress associated with her studies. As her training progressed, she discovered that aikido not only helps her with stress but also helps her maintain a more active and healthy lifestyle. Today, Anne Marie continues her aikido training while working as an attorney.

Andy Edelstein - 1st Dan