Northern Lights Aikido is an organization designed to promote and explore the opportunities to blend and redirect aggressive or violent energy. We embrace all elements of martial styles, but would like to discover the most effective and least destructive strategies for dealing with attacks. Always looking for the “Aiki” path. Our goal is to help students discover how to apply the philosophy of Aik
ido in their everyday lives; not only to benefit themselves, but also to help others find more peaceful and productive paths. Our goal is to help students discover how to apply the philosophy of Aikido in their everyday lives not only to benefit themselves, but also to help others. New students are always welcome. Just show up at the Woodland YMCA Monday or Wednesday at 8:00PM wearing something comfortable. Northern Lights Aikido is an dojo member of 100 Pillars: International Aikido Association. Instructors:
Brad Bergeron Sensei:
Brad began his training in Aikido almost 25 years ago at the University of Texas in Austin. After moving to Duluth, Minnesota in the late 80’s he began “Northern Lights Aikido,” at the suggestion of his teacher and the head of Seidokan Aikido, Rodrick Kobayashi Sensei. Brad has been teaching Aikido for 20 years, and has taught many students who have achieved black belt status and started their own dojos. He has trained in many styles of Aikido and holds rank in three. He also worked and trained full-time in Japan for 18-months. His current rank is Yondan, which he has held for more than a decade, since the death of his teacher Kobayashi Sensei. Brad has conducted and hosted numerous seminars in the US. In addition, he has participated and taught a number of International programs as well. One of the more notable was his trip to Russia with Kobayashi Sensei just before the fall of the Soviet Union. Other notable International seminars he has conducted include: Tokyo, Japan; Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, Israel; and Thunder Bay, Canada. Brad continues to teach regular classes in Duluth, Minnesota with help of a number of excellent instructors. Currently, Brad is working with a group of independent dojo to form a new international coalition to support Aikido in the 21st Century, called “100 Pillars: International Aikido Association.” The effort is based on the idea that “ALL of us, are smarter than ANY of us” (one of Brad’s favorite sayings). Dave Greske Sensei:
Dave started training in 1994 at the University of Minnesota Duluth and holds the current rank is Godan. Brad has attended many seminars including seminars in Tokyo, Japan; St. Louis, Missouri; Long Beach, California; and LaCrosse, Wisconsin; He also had the opportunity to practice with the late Bill Sosa Sensei, Brad Bergeron, Ross Robertson, and many others. Dave states that teaching helps him in his own learning and journey through Aikido by allowing him to observe, practice, and to share techniques, which he states, "Is one of the best ways to learn and help others along the way. Learning to be balanced and Aiki is
a continuous process that changes through life." Jeff Agaton Howes Sensei:
Jeff started his journey in Aikido in the summer of 2005 at the Duluth YMCA. His first class was a seminar led by Ross Robertson Sensei from Still Point Aikido Austin ,Texas. Jeff was equipped with only a gi and no obi to hold his gi together. Luckily, another life long Aikido practitioner offered their black belt for the day. Jeff did not know how tie the borrowed black belt, and sheepishly asked Forrest Williams (Nidan)to help him. Fast forward to December 2011. Jeff whipped up the courage to test for Shodan. Yodansha (black belts) present for Jeff’s Shodan test included Brad Bergeron Sensei, Dave Greske Sensei, Forrest Williams Sensei, and Ryan Welles-Shodan. A few months following the test, Bergeron Sensei presented his black belt to Jeff. The black belt was the belt that Jeff borrowed during Ross Robertson Sensei seminar in the summer of 2005. Currently, Jeff teaches Aikido on the Fond du Lac Indian Reservation outside of Cloquet, MN. It was Jeff’s dream to bring the Spirit and Principles of Aiki to the Fond du Lac Reservation and community members in and surrounding the area. Off the mat, Jeff is employed by the Fond du Lac Reservation as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor. He finds in his profession, Aikido is valuable in helping him understand human interaction and how to respond with openness and compassion to various situations. At work, Jeff finds that he utilizes Aiki principles such as settling down with controlled relaxation, keeping One-point, and extending Ki to help him stay balanced and connect with clients. Jeff aspires to move through life with Aiki on and off the mat. He resides on the Fond du Lac Indian Reservation with his beautiful and supportive wife and two wonderful children. Jeff continues to practice at the Northern Lights Aikido Dojo located at the Duluth YMCA.
