Chief Instructor and Founder of Takayama Dojo

Reitan Sensei has been training in the Aiki arts since 1979. Reitan Sensei holds the rank of Godan (5th degree black belt) in the art of Aikido as well as Yudansha ranks in two styles of Aikijujutsu. Reitan Sensei teaches and/or oversees all classes at Bend Aiki Martial Arts and Takayama Dojo.  When Reitan Sensei is not at the dojo teaching or training he is spending time with his 6 year old son who is constantly reminding him of the wonders of life and the energetic potential of a human being. 
To contact Reitan Sensei, please email him at: sensei@bendaikido.com

Assistant Instructors

Mike Pollitz Sempai/Assistant Instructorr

Mike Pollitz holds the rank of Nidan (2nd degree black belt) in the art of Aikido. Mike has trained in the martial arts since 1982, with experience in Tae Kwon Do and Classical Ju Jutsu. He began his aikido training with Reitan Sensei in 2000 and has since become known as the master of the intense warm-up routine.  Want a good workout, come train with Mike.

Bruce Emerson Sempai/Assistant Instructor

Bruce Emerson Sempai holds the rank of Nidan (2nd degree black belt) in the art of Aikido, and at nearly 7' 5", has a unique perspective on his practice. Bruce has been training for 20 years and teaches physics at Central Oregon Community College.  His amazing teaching skills are evident during his afternoon aikido classes where beginner and advanced students alike flock during their lunch hours. In his spare time he likes to precisely calculate the force required to toss you completely across the mat. 

Dawn Emerson Sempai/Assistant Instructor 

Dawn Emerson Sempai holds the rank of Nidan (2nd degree black belt) in the art of Aikido, and can bring the big man to his knees faster than anyone. She has trained for 20 years and is an accomplished artist and teacher in the community.  Bruce and Dawn were both drawn to aikido for its fluidity and grace as well as the people and community.  They have trained with Sensei's from the Birankai, Eastern Region USAF, and Aikido Schools of Ueshiba for extended periods of time.  Bruce and Dawn have been training with Reitan Sensei for several years and enjoy the opportunity to share the rich, complex, and constantly unfolding practice that is Aikido.


Michael Garrigan Sempai/Assistant Instructor

Michael Garrigan Sempai holds the rank of Sandan (3rd degree black belt) in the art of Aikido.  He received his Sandan from Sensei Yamata, his Nidan (2nd degree black belt) from Sensei Chiba, and his Shodan (1st degree black belt) from Sensei Takahashi.  However, he considers his primary teacher to be Sensei Nobu Iseri 6th Dan, who received his rank through Chiba Sensei.  Michael has been training with Reitan Sensei for a couple years now and states, "I feel very grateful to have found a dojo which maintains balance within the complexities of martial attitudes and rhythms." 

Amy Nortrom Sempai/Assistant Instructor

Amy Nortrom Sempai began training with Reitan Sensei in 2001.  After observing one class taught by Reitan Sensei, she was instantly attracted to the positive, fun energy of the dojo as well as the amazing beauty of being thrown effortlessly through the air and landing safely. Amy specifically appreciates the balance of yin and yang within her aikido studies as well as the opportunity to connect with others on an energetic level that is both loving and fun. 

Gaia Marrs Sempai/Assistant Instructor

Gaia Marrs Sempai began training in aikido as a completely dorky, awkward teenager at the ripe young age of 15. Now, approaching the end of her 20s, she finds herself slightly less dorky and awkward and attributes that in part to aikido (replacing the owl glasses with contacts didn't hurt either). Gaia especially loves the big, flowing movements in aikido, and nothing is better than getting tossed across the mat. Each summer she goes to Alaska for 5 months, where we're pretty sure she spends most of her time wrestling grizzly bears.


Brock Rutherford Sempai/Kids Aikido Instructor

Brock Rutherford Sempai oversees the Bend Aiki Martial Arts Kids Aikido program and has taken fun to a whole new level. 
After watching just one class, you will understand why our kids love Brock and why the kids class has double in students since Brock began teaching.  Please see the description of our kids classes on our class page to see what all the hype is about and learn more about Bend Aiki Martial Arts "kiddo hour".  If you wish to contact Brock in regards to our Kids Aikido program, please email him at: kidsaikido@bendaikido.com