Abbotts Aikido Dojo
Branch: Pennsylvania (South)
Branch Chief: David Livingston
David Livingston has been a martial arts practitioner for over 30 years and is the Director / Chief Instructor of Abbotts Aikido Dojo, located in Abbottstown, Pennsylvania. He began his study of Aikido under John Goss Sensei (7th dan Shihan Mikata Korindo Aikido) in 1991 and is one of the senior students at the Aiki Martial Arts Institute. During his tutelage under Goss Sensei, David studied Aikikai Aikido, Korindo Aikido, and Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu. He is also a long-time practitioner of Zen Buddhism and has visited Zen Mountain Monastery (New York) on several occasions to study both Zazen and Aikido. David has trained at the Aikikai Hombu, Aikido Kobayashi Dojo, and the Tendokan.
David Livingston Sensei holds the following:
- 5th dan Shibucho Mikata Korindo Aikido (Aiki Martial Arts Institute)
- 2nd dan Aikikai Aikido (Aikido World Headquarters)
- 1st dan Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu (Daito-ryu World Headquarters)
David Livingston Sensei (2021)
Brief Biography
David earned a BA degree in Religion (with a minor in Psychology) from Findlay University (Ohio) in 1971. He began working for Allis Chalmers, Voith and American Hydro Corporation in 1974, and completed his apprenticeship in 1981.
In 1990, while working as a machinist for Allis Chalmers Hydro Electric Division, David attended a training seminar offered by a behavioral science psychologist, who recommended the art of Aikido as a means of self-realization. As a result of this encounter, David began his search for an Aikido teacher and ultimately found John Goss Sensei of Aikido of Maryland.
In 1997, David began studying Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu under Katsuyuki Kondo Sensei (Menkyo Kaiden, Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu Somucho) and is a founding member of the Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu Study Group established under the guidance of John Goss Sensei. In 2005 David was promoted to Shodan in Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu and is one of only a handful of American jujutsu practitioners holding black belt ranking in [Mainline] Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu.
Livingston Sensei began teaching Aikido at a local community center in 1998 and opened the doors of Abbotts Aikido Dojo in January 2004. After a career spanning 42 years, David retired from Allis Chalmers, Voith and American Hydro Corporation and now enjoys golfing, spending time with his family, and teaching Korindo Aikido. Abbott’s Aikido was authorized as an official Aiki Martial Arts Institute Shibu (Branch Dojo) in 2017.
Livingston Sensei has also trained with the following teachers:
- Kisshomaru Ueshiba (Nidai Aikikai Doshu)
- Moriteru Ueshiba (Sandai Aikikai Doshu)
- Hiroshi Tada (9th dan Shihan Aikikai)
- Seishiro Endo (8th dan Shihan Aikikai)
- Yasuo Kobayashi (8th dan Shihan Aikikai)
- Robert Kubo (8th dan Shihan Aikikai)
- Shoji Seki (8th dan Shihan Aikikai)
- Kenji Shimizu (8th dan Shihan IMAF)
- Saigo Yamaguchi (8th dan Shihan Aikikai)
- William Gleason (7th dan Shihan Aikikai)