Instructors
As students and instructors, we follow the example of Master Koichi Tohei, one of the great teachers of our time. Through his life-long training of meditation, breathing, and martial arts he developed teaching methods that make evident many of the elusive qualities of our mind, body and spirit. Simple in their nature, and universal in their application, these principles are the foundation of our training.
We train to improve our lives as we learn. Learning and teaching are two parts of the same process, and students naturally progress to instructional roles as they develop in their training.
The Vancouver Ki Society is led by a world-class team of instructors who have dedicated their lives to this training.
Roger Isaacs
The Vancouver Ki Society is headed by Roger Isaacs. He currently holds the rank of Rokudan (6th degree black belt) in Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido, Joden in Ki Development, and is a Full Ki Lecturer, a Certified Kiatsu Assistant Lecturer and an Assistant Examiner certified with Ki Society HQ in Japan. Isaacs Sensei has been training since 1990 and has been teaching in Vancouver since 1994.
Craig Sexton
The Adult Ki Development and Aikido Programs are headed by Craig Sexton. He currently holds the rank of Yondan (4th degree black belt) in Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido, Chuden in Ki Development, and is an Associate Lecturer certified with Ki Society HQ in Japan. Sexton Sensei has been training since 1994 and has been teaching in Vancouver since 1998.
Mindy Branigan
The Children's Program is headed by Mindy Branigan. She currently holds the rank of Yondan (4th degree black belt) in Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido, a Chuden in Ki Development and is an Associate Lecturer in the Ki Society. She has been training since 1994 and has been teaching both children and adults since 2000.
Alex Goldman
Alex Goldman currently holds the rank of Nidan (2nd degree black belt) in Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido, and Shoden in Ki Development. He has been training since 2004 and has been teaching adults since 2010.
Simon Nodel
Simon Nodel currently holds the rank of Nidan (2nd degree black belt) in Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido, and Shoden in Ki Development. He has been training since 2002 and has been teaching adults since 2012.
Jason Lee
Jason Lee currently holds the rank of Nidan (2nd degree black belt) in Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido, and Shoden in Ki Development. He has been training since 2007 and has been teaching adults since 2013.
Andrei Odeski
Andrei Odeski currently holds the rank of Nidan (2nd degree black belt) in Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido, and Shoden in Ki Development. He has been training since 2007 and has been teaching adults since 2014.
Saman Vazinkhoo
Saman Vazinkhoo currently holds the rank of Shodan (1st degree black belt) in Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido and Shoden in Ki Development. He has been training since 2006 and has been teaching adults and children since 2015.
Steven Matsushita
Steven Matsushita currently holds the rank of Shodan (1st degree black belt) in Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido and Jokyu in Ki Development. He has been training since 2012 and has been teaching adults since 2017.
Rob Favel
Rob Favel currently holds the rank of Shodan (1st degree black belt) in Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido and Jokyu in Ki Development. He has been training since 2012 and has been teaching adults since 2017.