David Goldberg is the Chief Instructor of the dojo. In his youth Goldberg Sensei trained in the arts of Okinowan Kempo {a very effective and classical style self-defense oriented Japanese karate} and Tae Kwon Do { a Korean style karate developed for the military. In its origin developed primarily for the use of kicking enemies while protecting a weapon such as a rifle or sword. After college Sensei continued his training in the martial arts.  In1983 he found aikido, and has been training ever since, he currently holds the rank of Yondan (4th degree black belt).  He began his training in the Kokikai organization with Michael Wirth Sensei under the direct auspices of Shugi Maruyama Shihan, and graded to the rank of Nidan (2nd degree black belt). He then studied under Fumio Toyoda Shihan for one year.  Since 1993, he has studied under Mitsugi Saotome Shihan, founder of the Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU) organization. And direct disciple of Moriehi Ueshiba the founder of aikido, also known as O sensei. Goldberg sensei received his Sandan (3rd degree black belt) from Saotome Shihan in 1995, and his Yondan (4th degree black belt) in 2001. Goldberg Sensei continues to study under Saotome Shihan and his senior instructors. Goldberg Sensei has travelled to Hombu Dojo, the Aikido World Headquarters in Japan, to train with Moriteru Ueshiba Doshu. Sensei leads lively classes, deeply rooted in aikido principles, with focus on martial awareness. Each class he teaches, has a specific format to bring across the self defense and martial training at one's given level. Sensei can lead you to find your own dependable calmness.    Goldberg Sensei is also the Chief Iaido Instructor at the dojo. He has trained in the Muso Shinden Ryu style of Iaido since 1991, holding the rank of Yondan (4th degree black belt).  Sensei is an accomplished professional Japanese style sword maker.  He has been making knives and swords since 1987 and became a full-time maker in 1995 solely focused on Japanese weaponry.  You can see his work at: www.goldmountainforge.com  He studies Iaido with Roger Wehrhahn Shihan leader of the North American San Shin Kai under the auspices of Takeshi Mitsuzuka Shihan. Goldberg Sensei has also trained in Tokyo, Japan at the San Shin Kai World Headquarters Dojo with Mitsuzuka Shihan. Within the Iaido curriculum, Sensei teaches Tameshigiri.  This encompasses the techniques of cutting straw mat targets with the Japanese samurai style sword.  Sensei's focus in Iaido is to bring out each student's abilities of exactness and control .  Allowing for one's own realizations and martial awareness with dependable stability.