Aiki Martial Arts Institute
Headquarters Dojo
Dojo-cho: David Lewis
David Lewis has been a martial arts practitioner for 23 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)
Lewis Sensei's Warrior's Element Yoga Program: https://warriorselement.com/
Aiki Martial Arts Institute
Thomas Davis
Thomas Davis has been a practitioner for 30 years. He started studying directly under John Goss Sensei in 1993 after getting a reccomendation from a close friend regarding what martial arts to study. The friend was studying under John Goss Sensei at the time and suggested trying aikido. He obtained Shodan (1st degree black belt) November 22nd 2003. Thomas is currently the Office Manager at Aiki Martial Arts.
Thomas Davis holds the following:
- 3rd dan Mikata Korindo Aikido (Aiki Martial Arts Institute)
Thomas Davis (2023)
Brief Biography
Thomas served as an active duty Marine from October 1985 to November 1993 serving in the Gulf War as a combat engineer. In 1995 he reenlisted in the Marine Corp reserve where he deployed to Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan serving in civil affairs. Thomas retired from the US Marine Corp (reserve) in 2011.
Thomas is a native of Harford County Md and is currently employed at Baltimore Washington International Airport as a Transportation Security Officer. Thomas is also a member of H.A.W.K.s (Harford Area Weekly Kriegspielers). The HAWKs are a miniature wargaming club that has been active in the county since the 1980s. They meet on the first and third Friday of each month.