Mission Statement
It is the goal and purpose of Aikido Kenkyukai Santa Barbara to pass down the true message of Aikido and to nurture a better society by creating individuals of responsibility, compassion, judgement, and character.
From the ByLaws…
Specific Purposes
To create an interest and motivation within the general public to practice the Japanese non-violent art of aikido;
To encourage individuals, or groups of individuals, to practice aikido;
To promote aikido as a positive and effective vehicle for self improvement and spiritual growth;
To promote educational programs that teach aikido techniques, models and processes as a harmonious way through conflict, both in practice and everyday live;
To advance aikido as a means of transforming the stresses of everyday life into opportunities for personal growth and development;
Etc.
Board of Directors
Lia Suzuki, 6th dan: Founder, President, Executive Director
Lia Suzuki began training aikido in 1982. Through her first teacher, the renowned William Gleason Sensei, 6th dan, she was introduced to the distinctive aikido of the late Yamaguchi Seigo Shihan, 9th dan and one of his most accomplished students, Takeda Yoshinobu Shihan, 8th dan.
Lia Sensei lived in Japan from 1987 to 1996, receiving her 1st through 4th dan gradings at Takeda Shihan’s dojo during that time. Her aikido clearly reflects years of dedicated training with Takeda Shihan and his senior students.
She has conducted seminars in Great Britain, Germany, Australia, Canada and of course, the USA. Lia Sensei returns to Shobu Aikido of Boston each summer and continues to travel regularly to Japan to train with her teacher, Takeda Shihan and to participate in demonstrations there.
In addition to teaching aikido to adults and children, Lia Sensei is also involved in ongoing projects employing aikido in work addressing substance misuse and emotional/behavioral problems. Suzuki Sensei helped develop A.C.T. – Aiki Conflict Transformation © 2002 offering workshops and seminars to psychologists, counselors, educators, etc.
Bruce Glesby, Esq
Bruce Glesby has served as a member of the AKSB Board of Directors since its inception in December 2008.
Mr. Glesby has been an partner with Griffith & Thornburgh, LLP since 1995 and before that, was an associate from 1990. His civil trial and litigation practice includes Family Law, Real Estate, Construction and Design Defects, and Personal Injury Law.
Current memberships
State Bar of California
Santa Barbara County Bar Association, Board of Directors 2003-4
Co-Editor Santa Barbara Lawyer
U.S. District Court, Central District
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Education
University of California at Los Angeles, AB, Psychology 1973
University of California at Los Angeles, MSW, 1980
Loyola Law School, JD, 1988
Phi Delta Phi
Recipient of American Jurisprudence Awards in: Products Liabilities, Ethics, Negotiations and Counseling
Community Activities
Santa Barbara Lawyer Referral Service – Member Board of Trustees
Casa Del Herrero – Member Board of Trustees
Chris J. Chirgwin
Chris J. Chirgwin is the owner and CEO of Lanspeed, an IT services firm headquartered in Santa Barbara, CA. With nearly 15 years of technology and management experience, Chris has excelled throughout his career in providing businesses with a winning combination of deep technical expertise and sound strategic planning. Lanspeed has grown rapidly under Chris’s leadership, and now provides award winning IT services throughout Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Los Angeles Counties.
Chris received an MBA from the University of Portland in 1998, and a BA in International Studies and Business from Westmont College in 1995. Raised in a small town outside of Portland, Oregon, Chris now lives in the Santa Ynez Valley with his wife and three young daughters. Recently recognized by the Pacific Coast Business Times for the “Top 40 under 40 Award”, Chris has earned numerous industry awards and technical certifications. Several times a year, he travels around the country facilitating industry groups and has been a guest speaker at many technology and management events. He is an avid day hiker and backpacker having spent time trekking in Alaska, Costa Rica, and most of the western U.S.
