Instructors

Josh MacDonald

Chief instructor, Calgary Rakushinkan

Josh has over 35 years of training in martial arts. His journey in martial arts started with karate in his childhood and expanded to Tai Chi. He then spent 5 years in Japan learning Aikidō, Daitō-ryū Aikijūjutsu, Kenjutsu, and Iaijutsu under Sensei Ishikawa Tomohiro (Rakushinkan, Japan). Since 2011 he has taught the martial arts in Calgary, continuing the Rakushinkan methods that emphasize sword principles, centered movement, and practical kuzushi.

Mark Freed

Instructor, Calgary Rakushinkan

Mark began his Aikidō practice in in California in the Yoshinkan tradition. After moving to Calgary in 2010 he took up practice with Calgary Rakushinkan and later, Big Rock Aikikai. Freed Sensei holds ranks in Aikidō, Daitō-ryū Aikijūjutsu, Kenjutsu, and Iaijutsu under Sensei Ishikawa Tomohiro (Rakushinkan, Japan) as well as Aikikai Aikido.