We practice and transmit the style of Aikido and Iaido taught by Mitsunari Kanai Shihan. His approach emphasizes a “unified body,” which allows people of all sizes and strengths to develop their inner power and to progress through the ranks. Kanai Sensei was an uchi deshi of Morehei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido and gives our dojo a direct link to O Sensei and the origins of Aikido.

Instructors and Assistant Instructors at Two Rivers Aikikai

Head Instructors:

• Teri Pierson (she, her), sandan in Aikido
• Michael Boeder (he, him), sandan in Aikido and Iaido

Aikido Instructors:

• Alex Nelson (he, him), sandan in Aikido
• David Goldberger (he, him), nidan in Aikido

Assistant Instructors:

• Vagrant Cascadian (they, none) shodan
• Lisa Baubock (they, them) shodan
• Jim McKeon (he, him) shodan
• Chris Garner (he, him) yondan

Iaido instructor:

• Michael Boeder (he, him), Head Instructor, sandan in Iaido

Senior Advisors at Two Rivers Aikikai

Spiros Koyanis and Lynn Marshall senseis retired from their roles as head instructors in 2024, but they remain connected to the dojo. They teach occasional classes and seminars, and they conduct dan (black belt) tests for our members.

Spiros Koyanis sensei (he, him), 6th Dan in Aikido and 5th Dan in Iaido is a direct student of the late Mitsunari Kanai Shihan and practiced under Kanai Sensei's guidance for twenty one years. Spiros sensei began his training at New England Aikikai in 1983 and has been teaching Aikido to adults and children since 1989. In 2001, he became Head Instructor of Two Rivers Aikikai. He is a firm believer in the effectiveness of non violence and as such honors the memory of Kanai Sensei in his instruction by paying close attention to Kanai Sensei's dynamic theories of the unified body and the interaction between uke's ki and nage's blending and redirecting of that ki based on budo. Spiros sensei believes that Aikido is a fluid martial art that continues to grow and change with more emphasis placed on equity both on and off the mat. His Aikido classes often include practice with bokken, jo and tanto (wooden weapons) because the precision required with weapons complements and enhances our style of Aikido which pays close attention to "ma-ai" both before and after an Aikido technique allowing for the effectiveness of non-violence as self defense.

In Iaido, our instructors teach Muso Shinden Ryu style under the guidance of Claude Berthiaume Sensei. Our dojo is a member of Kiyoikaze Iaido Federation whose purpose is to develop and guide the instruction of Iaido as established by Mitsunari Kanai Sensei and carried on by Technical Director, Claude Berthiaume Shihan. More information on our Iaido program is available on our About Iaido page

Lynn Marshall sensei (she, her), 6th Dan in Aikido, is also a direct student of Mitsunari Kanai Shihan and a Head Instructor of the dojo. Lynn Sensei practiced karate for a year before starting Aikido at New England Aikikai in 1985. Lynn sensei's extension and precision demonstrate that one does not have to be big to be effective. Her ability to break down a technique and focus on details gives students a lot to think about and work with in the beginner and basics program at Two Rivers. Lynn sensei has been practicing at Two Rivers Aikikai since July 1998. She teaches a wide variety of techniques and often includes bokken suburi and jo kata in her classes. With a strong emphasis on fundamental foundation of techniques, Lynn sensei demonstrates advanced techniques with clarity and precision for students in mixed level classes. She is a reliable reference for students preparing for kyu and dan tests. In addition to Aikido, Lynn sensei practices yoga and brings a wealth of knowledge to our students about proper stretching to gain flexibility and strength and to prevent injury.

Two Rivers Aikikai is a 501(c)(3) federal non-profit organization with a vision for equity, justice and non-violence on and off the mat. Our mission is to help individuals on their path of well-being of mind, body and spirit through the practice of the Japanese martial arts of Aikido, Iaido and Karatedo to peacefully engage conflict.