Currently holds the rank of Godan (5th degree black belt) in Aikido. He started his Aikido training in 1991 after leaving the US Navy, returning home to California at Aikido of North County with Ken MacBeth Sensei.
In 2007, Derek Sensei moved to Anchorage, Alaska. In the spring of 2015, he and his wife (Rachelle Revnolds Sensei) opened Aikido of Alaska.
RACHELLE REYNOLDS SENSEI
Currently holds the rank of Godan (5th degree black belt) in Aikido. Rachelle Sensi began her training while in California at Chushinkan Dojo with James Nakayama Sensei in 1990. While in college, she continued her training with Ace Atkinson Sensei at University of California, Riverside then resumed with Nakayama Sensei upon graduation. Under the guidance of Fumio Toyoda Shihan (Rokudan) and the Aikido Association of America, Rachelle Sensei received her Shodan in 1999. While training with Nayakama Sensei, she had teaching responsibilities at the dojo. Rachelle Sensei was promoted to Nidan in 2005. To broaden her experience, she also trained with Haru Matsuoka Sensei at Ikazuchi Dojo.
Additionally, she trained in laido while at Chushinkan Dojo. Rachelle Sensei taught Aikido at California State University, Fullerton in 2005-2006. In 2008, Rachelle Sensei moved to Anchorage, Alaska. She is currently a student of Andrew Sato Sensei (Nanadan) and is affiliated with the Aikido World Alliance organization. She was awarded the rank of Yondan in 2018. In the spring of 2015, she and Derek Sensei opened Aikido of Alaska.
