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Having trained for more than 20 years in the Japanese martial art of Shinshin Toitsu Aikido, Eric Harrell Sensei, 6th degree black belt, is the Head Instructor of South Carolina Ki-Aikido in Greenville, SC. He holds the Ki rank of Joden in the Art of Shinshin Toitsudo and is an appointed Full Examiner and Lecturer for Zaidan Hojin Ki no Kenkyukai [Ki Society Headquarters].
Harrell Sensei was first exposed to Aikido in 1981 and shortly thereafter met a young philosophy professor (David Shaner Sensei) recently hired by Furman University. After getting to know each other through various activities at the university, Shaner Sensei, returned from a trip to Japan to train with Soushu Tohei and Tamura Sensei and asked Harrell Sensei to be his student. In 1987, he began his formal Aikido training with David Shaner Sensei [Chief Instructor of the Eastern Ki Federation]. As Shaner Sensei’s first and most senior South Carolina student, he aided Shaner Sensei in the formation of the South Carolina Ki Society (now South Carolina Ki-Aikido). In 1996 Harrell Sensei and Ileana Shaner Sensei participated in and won the first International World Cup Taigi Competition in Tochigi, Japan. Harrell Sensei continues to train actively and travels annually to Ki Society headquarters in Japan as well as to the National Chief Instructor’s Conference. He has taught at various events in the U.S. and recently traveled to St. Petersburg to teach students from Russia and Eastern Europe.
Harrell Sensei graduated from Furman University and worked there for 20 years managing Furman’s performing arts facilities. After retiring from Furman, Harrell Sensei spent three years touring with his wife on the professional golf circuit and served as her caddy. Harrell Sensei is now the Customer Service Manager for Productions Unlimited, Inc., an upstate theatrical integration company. He uses Ki principles daily in his professional career servicing the needs of a widely varied customer base.
Harrell Sensei has been an accomplished private pilot for over 6 years, he is instrument rated and is currently working on his commercial rating.
Harrell Sensei lives in Greenville, SC with his wife, Christina, and their son, J.T.
Russell McCulloch Russell McCulloch Sensei has trained in the Japanese Martial Art of Shinshin Toitsu Aikido for 15 years and serves as a Senior Instructor of South Carolina Ki-Aikido. He holds the rank of Godan (5th Degree black belt) in the art of Aikido, and the Ki rank of Chuden in the art of Shinshin Toitsudo. He is a certified Associate Lecturer with Zaidan Hojin Ki no Kenkyukai, Headquarters in Japan.
McCulloch Sensei began training with Shaner Sensei and Harrell Sensei in the summer of 1993 while attending graduate school. Having studied several styles of martial arts while in college, he had always been interested in the power of the mind and the affect it could have on physical performance. He was immediately attracted to the idea of deliberately focusing on the development of this mind-body connection and has continued his training since that time.
McCulloch Sensei graduated from Clemson University in May 1994 with a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering and began working in the Greenville, SC area for Bic Corporation. Several years later he joined the Barry-Wehmiller Design Group, an engineering consulting company, where he is now Manager of Engineering for the Greenville, SC office. He applies Ki Principles in working with a variety of well known companies such as Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline and PepsiCo.
McCulloch Sensei resides in the Greenville, SC area with his wife and two children.
Mark Stone Stone Sensei is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Furman University. He holds the Ki rank of Chuden and the Aikido rank of Godan (5th dan) Ileana Shaner Ileana Shaner Sensei is a pianist, martial artist, and jewelry designer. After receiving two Masters Degrees in Music and Piano Performance from the University of Virginia and the University of Maryland, her desire for personal growth and continued improvement in music led her to the Japanese martial art of Shinshin Toitsu Aikido. She has trained with her husband, David Shaner Sensei, Chief Instructor of the Eastern Ki Federation, for 15 years. She currently holds the rank of 4th dan in Shinshin Toitsu Aikido, the rank of chuden in the art of Shinshin Toitsudo, and is an Associate Lecturer for the Zaidan Hojin Ki no Kenkyukai [Ki Society Headquarters]. In 1996, she and her taigi partner, Eric Harrell, won the first International World Cup Taigi competition in Tochigi, Japan.
Ileana is passionate about experiencing oneness of mind, body, and spirit. This coordinated existence lies beneath the habits of separation that we have adopted throughout our lives, habits that create unnecessary conflict and limit our perception and potential. It is through Aikido movement, Ki development exercises, breathing and meditation, Kiatsu therapy, music, and creative artistry that Ileana practices to realize her potential and help others discover their own.
Ileana is married, has five children, and lives with her family in Greenville, SC.
See her recent article in 11:11 magazine in Ki-Aikido (click on the image)
Michael Gisman Michael Gisman Sensei started training in the Japanese Martial Art of Shinshin Toitsu Aikido in 1996. His playing of sports such as basketball and soccer in high school and college created an interest in how the mind effects the body’s performance. Wanting to learn a martial art and about the mind/body relationship, this was a perfect fit. He currently holds the rank of Nidan(2nd degree black belt) in Aikido, and the Ki rank of Jokyu in the art of Shinshin Toitsudo.
Gisman Sensei graduated from Buffalo State College with a Bachelors degree in Economics. After college he joined his father’s recruiting firm and built up a successful business with many clients in the plastic injection molding industry. In 2005 he and his wife bought a franchise called Mad Science which provides hands-on children’s science programs. He uses Ki Principles daily in dealing with children, parents and teachers.
Gisman Sensei is married and currently resides in Greenville, SC.
Joshua Queen Joshua Queen Sensei began training in various martial arts while in high school. While attending college, in Georgia, he was introduced to Aikido. Beginning in 1994, during college breaks, he would train in South Carolina in Shinshin Toitsu Aikido. Initially Queen Sensei was driven by the martial application of Aikido. He soon realized that this was shallow thinking and that the use and benefit of Ki Principles in daily life were much greater than training a fighting mind. He currently holds the rank of Nidan in Aikido, and the Ki rank of Jokyu in the art of Shinshin Toitsudo.
Queen Sensei graduated from Mercer University with a Bachelors degree in Marketing and Finance. Much of his professional life has been in management in the financial and sales industry. He uses Ki Principles daily in working with employees and clients.
Queen Sensei resides in Easley, SC with his wife and son.
Michael Wolfe Michael C. Wolfe was born and raised in Spartanburg SC. He holds degrees in Religious Studies from Wofford College, Asbury Seminary, and the University of Virginia. He has done extensive post-doctoral work at Jerusalem University College and Duke University. Michael has taught at the University of South Carolina and Erskine College. He is an ordained United Methodist minister having served in numerous churches in Youth Ministry, Humanitarian Service Projects, and as a Pastor. He works with Clemson University on projects concerning child abuse.
Michael has over 30 years involvement in the Martial Arts, including Shorin-Ryu Karate-do (Nidan) and Ki-Aikido (Nidan). With all his free time, he surfs, rides bikes, and takes a nap every day after lunch.
Michael Wolfe Sensei holds the Ki rank of Jokyu and the Aikido rank of Nidan.
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