Aiki Martial Arts Institute
Headquarters Dojo
Dojo-cho: David Lewis
David Lewis has been a martial arts practitioner for 24 years and is currently the Dojo-cho (Dojo Chief) at the Aiki Martial Arts Institute. He was first introduced to Aikido at the New England Aikikai and trained directly under Mitsunari Kanai Sensei (8th dan Shihan) until he moved to the Baltimore area. In 2001, David began studying Korindo Aikido under John Goss Sensei (7th dan Shihan Mikata Korindo Aikido) and Daito-ryu Aikijujtusu under the direction of Katsuyuki Kondo Sensei (Menkyo Kaiden, Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu Somucho). David has assisted John Goss Sensei with numerous workshops, self-defense clinics and international seminars. He was appointed Dojo-cho of the Mikata Korindo Hombu in 2021.
David Lewis Sensei holds the following:
- 4th dan Mikata Korindo Aikido (Aiki Martial Arts Institute)
- 1st dan Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu (Daito-ryu World Headquarters)
- Certified Instructor: Hatha Yoga
Dave is a Graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, with a bachelor’s degree in Analytical Chemistry. He has held such professional positions as an Analytical Chemist, Chemical Engineer, and he currently supports the Scientific Laboratory Industry as a Service Engineer.
David Lewis Sensei (2023)
Brief Biography
While obtaining a B.S. degree in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, David also played collegiate football as a defensive back and special teams punt returner for the UMass Minutemen. Upon graduating in 1999, David channeled his competitive nature and began his study of aikido under Mitsunari Kanai Sensei at the New England Aikikai. In 2001, his career as a chemist led him to the Baltimore area, where he began training under John Goss Sensei at the Aiki Martial Arts Institute. In addition to his study of Korindo Aikido, David joined John Goss Sensei’s Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu Study Group, under the direction of Katsuyuki Kondo Sensei (Menkyo Kaiden), and is one of only a handful of jujutsu practitioners in the United States holding black belt ranking in (Mainline) Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu.
Lewis Sensei has also trained with the following teachers:
- Sumie Hasegawa (Kaiden no Koto, Kyoju Dairi, Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu)
- Scott Vogeley (4th dan Shibucho Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu)
- Derek Steel (3rd dan Shibucho Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu)
- Mark Sumi (3rd dan Shibucho Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu)
- Tobin Threadgill (Takamura-ha Shindō Yōshin Kai)
- James Williams (Nami Ryu Aiki Heiho)