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Sensei Charles Aarons began his training in 1971 with Bruce Stiles and was an original member of the Toronto Aikikai. In 1978 he moved to Los Angeles to train at the Los Angeles Aikikai under Yoshida Sensei. In 1981 Shihan Chiba Sensei, 8th Dan became head of the Southwestern United States Aikido Federation and he was Aarons Sensei’s chief instructor during his tenure in LA, although Aarons’ main teacher was Arnold Sensei, 7th Dan Shihan.
In 1989 he moved to Mission, BC and founded the Mission Aikikai, running it until 1996 when he was granted permission to move to the Abbotsford Judo Club and established the Fraser Valley Aikikai, which still runs today. Sensei Aarons opened Aikido Takayama in 2004 under the Birankai North America, founded by Chiba Shihan.
Sensei Aarons is a member of Birankai Teachers Council. He also holds a black belt in Goju Ryu Karate.
For more information on Aikido, Chiba Shihan and Birankai North America, click here.
Norine began training in 1990 in Vancouver through the Canadian Aikido Federation. She joined Birankai North America in 2005. Sensei Norine is the dojo’s main instructor and brings a dynamic sense of realism and grace through her teaching and practice. Her passion and dedication to pass down the teachings of Chiba Sensei (direct student of O’Sensei) can be experienced in her classes.
She is a professional yoga instructor and one of the first to bring yoga to the Fraser Valley. She brings elements of yoga theory into body conditioning, alignment and stretching in her aikido classes.