RupertBerkrupertb Rupert Berk began his study of martial arts at the age of 6 with Kyokoshinkai Karate. That didn't go very far, but he did pick it up again in university with Shudokan and Shotokan Karate as well as Danzan Ryu jujitsu. He began his practice of Aikido in 1995 at the Central Illinois Aikikai, a cooperative affiliated with the late Akira Tohei sensei. In 1996, Rupert moved to Seattle and continued his practice at the Seattle School of Aikido. Among those who have had a strong influence on his training have been Allan Kaplan, Eric Oberg, and in more recent years, Jan Nevelius, Frank Ostoff, and Seishiro Endo Shihan. He received shodan rank from Seattle School of Aikido in January 2002, and retested in April 2008 with Endo Shihan to affiliate with Hombu dojo. "In Aikido, I find a way to release, to renew, and to open myself." RupertB.jpg