Chief Instructor Youssef Sadkane
Aikido World Headquarters Hombu Dojo, Tokyo, Japan - Rokudan - 6th degree blackbelt
United States Aikido Federation (USAF) Certified Shidoin Instructor
Sensei Youssef is from Casablanca, Morocco. He studied Shotokan Karate as a teenager and began studying Aikido after attending an Aikido Seminar in 1988 with Hombu Dojo instructor and original student of O'Sensei, Tamura Sensei. Youssef was inspired by his power and skill with larger opponents, regardless of his smaller stature. He began studying Aikido seriously and became an instructor, opening his first Aikido dojo in Casablanca in 1993.
Youssef moved to New York in 1999 and taught Aikido at the University of Rochester, New York. After working for the NYS Department of corrections for four years, he moved to Central Florida and opened the Sadkane School for Aikido in 2007. The Sadkane School for Aikido became a USAF member after meeting Sensei Peter Bernath, 7th dan Shihan, technical committee member. This led Youssef to train with the dynamic USAF founder Yamada Sensei, 8th dan Shihan, original student of O'Sensei, and the incredible instructors which are part of the organization. He regularly attends and is a guest instructor at local seminars, and travels to Japan to train with Doshu and the instructors at the Hombu Dojo, to continue his training. The Sadkane School for Aikido is now Aikido of Seminole County.
In 2012, Youssef spent 6 months in Taiwan and taught Aikido at Wagor Bilingual High School in Taichung.
United States Aikido Federation (USAF) Certified Shidoin Instructor
Sensei Youssef is from Casablanca, Morocco. He studied Shotokan Karate as a teenager and began studying Aikido after attending an Aikido Seminar in 1988 with Hombu Dojo instructor and original student of O'Sensei, Tamura Sensei. Youssef was inspired by his power and skill with larger opponents, regardless of his smaller stature. He began studying Aikido seriously and became an instructor, opening his first Aikido dojo in Casablanca in 1993.
Youssef moved to New York in 1999 and taught Aikido at the University of Rochester, New York. After working for the NYS Department of corrections for four years, he moved to Central Florida and opened the Sadkane School for Aikido in 2007. The Sadkane School for Aikido became a USAF member after meeting Sensei Peter Bernath, 7th dan Shihan, technical committee member. This led Youssef to train with the dynamic USAF founder Yamada Sensei, 8th dan Shihan, original student of O'Sensei, and the incredible instructors which are part of the organization. He regularly attends and is a guest instructor at local seminars, and travels to Japan to train with Doshu and the instructors at the Hombu Dojo, to continue his training. The Sadkane School for Aikido is now Aikido of Seminole County.
In 2012, Youssef spent 6 months in Taiwan and taught Aikido at Wagor Bilingual High School in Taichung.
Instructor - Mike Grover
United States Aikido Federation, Hombu Dojo-Certified Shidoin GoDan
5th degree blackbelt began in 1991 under the instruction of Sensei Peter Bernath, Shihan and Sensei Penny Bernath, Shidoin at FL Aikikai in Ft. Lauderdale. Sensei Mike is a long-time member of the USAF and regularly attends seminars to continue his understanding and development of Aikido. He also holds a 2nd degree black belt in a Korean-based combined martial art with a focus on wellness and is a certified psycho-therapist.
5th degree blackbelt began in 1991 under the instruction of Sensei Peter Bernath, Shihan and Sensei Penny Bernath, Shidoin at FL Aikikai in Ft. Lauderdale. Sensei Mike is a long-time member of the USAF and regularly attends seminars to continue his understanding and development of Aikido. He also holds a 2nd degree black belt in a Korean-based combined martial art with a focus on wellness and is a certified psycho-therapist.
Director - Rain Sadkane
Hombu Dojo-certified Yondan - 4th degree blackbelt United States Aikido Federation (USAF) Certified Fukushidoin Instructor
Originally from New York, Rain has a Master of Fine Arts degree in Dance, and is a FL-certified educator. She has taught in universities, middle and high schools in a wide variety of subjects from dance technique & choreography, injury prevention, yoga, functional anatomy, world studies, ESL, and Aikido.
Rain and Youssef have 2 sons and practice Aikido as a family, with Youssef as the chief instructor. In 2012, they all traveled to Taiwan to live, with Rain & Youssef teaching at Wagor High School.
Besides training in dance since the age of 5, Rain has also trained in other martial arts, including Oshin Ryu Karate and Ninpo. Rain received her first blackbelt in Korean-based, combined martial art, Oom Yung Doe. She was introduced to Aikido by her husband, Sensei Youssef, in 1999, co-taught with him at the University of Rochester in 2001, and began the Aikido kids and teens program when they opened the Sadkane School for Aikido in 2007. Rain directs the kids/teens program in Aikido, and teaches yoga, dance, combined martial arts, and adult basic Aikido classes at Aikido of Seminole County.
Rain created and currently directs the Dance Program at Lake Howell High School in Winter Park, FL. With the belief that Aikido has a positive influence on the lives and paths of teenagers, and with the use of the beautiful dance facilities, Rain has become certified in Physical Education to teach the only Self-Defense course for credit in the Seminole County Public School system.
Originally from New York, Rain has a Master of Fine Arts degree in Dance, and is a FL-certified educator. She has taught in universities, middle and high schools in a wide variety of subjects from dance technique & choreography, injury prevention, yoga, functional anatomy, world studies, ESL, and Aikido.
Rain and Youssef have 2 sons and practice Aikido as a family, with Youssef as the chief instructor. In 2012, they all traveled to Taiwan to live, with Rain & Youssef teaching at Wagor High School.
Besides training in dance since the age of 5, Rain has also trained in other martial arts, including Oshin Ryu Karate and Ninpo. Rain received her first blackbelt in Korean-based, combined martial art, Oom Yung Doe. She was introduced to Aikido by her husband, Sensei Youssef, in 1999, co-taught with him at the University of Rochester in 2001, and began the Aikido kids and teens program when they opened the Sadkane School for Aikido in 2007. Rain directs the kids/teens program in Aikido, and teaches yoga, dance, combined martial arts, and adult basic Aikido classes at Aikido of Seminole County.
Rain created and currently directs the Dance Program at Lake Howell High School in Winter Park, FL. With the belief that Aikido has a positive influence on the lives and paths of teenagers, and with the use of the beautiful dance facilities, Rain has become certified in Physical Education to teach the only Self-Defense course for credit in the Seminole County Public School system.
David Berndt - Karate Instructor
Executive Board Member/President/Treasurer of the South China Martial Arts Alliance.
David Berndt has been practicing Martial Arts since 1965, starting in Isshin-Ryu. He currently holds the rank of Shichi-Dan and the Titles of Shihan and Kyoshi, awarded by his direct Sensei, Grand Master George E. Mattson, and IUKF. He also holds Dan rank in Isshin-Ryu and Gushi-No Kobudo. He served as the Treasurer of IUKF for 8 years and as Director.
Sensei Berndt is currently training in Aikido and is the acting Chief Instructor for Mattson Uechi-Ryu Karate Orlando, hosted by our dojo.
David Berndt has been practicing Martial Arts since 1965, starting in Isshin-Ryu. He currently holds the rank of Shichi-Dan and the Titles of Shihan and Kyoshi, awarded by his direct Sensei, Grand Master George E. Mattson, and IUKF. He also holds Dan rank in Isshin-Ryu and Gushi-No Kobudo. He served as the Treasurer of IUKF for 8 years and as Director.
Sensei Berndt is currently training in Aikido and is the acting Chief Instructor for Mattson Uechi-Ryu Karate Orlando, hosted by our dojo.
