TENZAN AIKIDO INSTRUCTOR BIOS
Bruce Bookman Sensei, Chief Instructor
Bruce Bookman’s career in aikido began in 1970 as a 12 year old at the New York Aikikai, under the direction of Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan. Bookman became the youngest aikido blackbelt in America at the age of 15. Upon receiving his black belt, he became a member of the New York Aikikai teaching staff. At age 16, Bookman was dispatched to Mexico City to teach for two months as temporary chief instructor until a permanent teacher arrived from Japan. He moved to Tokyo to apprentice at the International World Headquarters at age 19. There he studied intensively with Kazuo Chiba Shihan and other prominent masters of aikido at the Headquarters dojo, including Kisshomaru Ueshiba, the son of the founder. He studied for two years and was promoted to 3rd degree blackbelt.
Bookman moved to Seattle in 1981 and established Aikido Northwest. At that time he became a senior member of the United States Aikido Federation (USAF Western Region) Teaching Committee under the direction of Chiba Shihan, with whom he worked closely for another 14 years. He teaches full time in Seattle at Tenzan Aikido. He also teaches by invitation around the country.
In addition to extensive cross training in boxing, tae kwon do, judo, iai-do, Bookman is a black belt professor of Brazilian jiu-jitsu with over 25 years experience. He collaborates with Ellis Amdur Shihan on Japanese classical swordsmanship and weaponry.
Bookman has studied yoga, on-and-off since childhood. He co-owns the dojo with his wife, Colette Crawford. Both he and Colette follow the teachings of their beloved guru, Mata Amritanandamayi from whom they derive the most inspiration for their work in aikido, yoga and meditation.
Instructors
Chuck Montange, 6th degree black belt
Chuck began studying tae kwon do in 1984 in the Maryland suburbs of the other Washington, and added some hap ki do in 1989. On recommendation from his tkd instructors, upon moving to Seattle in 1992, he looked into aikido, and happily switched to aikido under Bookman Sensei. He believes aikido by far the most interesting from a philosophical point of view of all the martial systems. Aikido's ideas of blending and harmonization as a means of addressing a physical confrontation are a powerful metaphor for how to approach conflict situations of all sorts. He thinks it is simply impossible to exhaust the opportunities aikido offers for physical and psychological challenges and development. Plus the aikido students are an interesting and caring group of folks. He thinks it a great activity to share with family members. Chuck has trained with all four of his children, two of whom are now black belts.
Melissa Pittman-Fischer, 5th degree black belt, Shidoin, Dojo Cho
I was a ballet dancer before moving to Seattle and marrying my husband ,Tam. I began practicing Aikido because our two boys, Max and Casey, were in the children's program and it looked like fun. It is, but it is more than that! Aikido is a unique package of athletics, meditation and community, and I was instantly and permanently hooked. I earned my black belt rank from Bookman sensei here at the Tenzan Aikido dojo, and in 2010, I became the dojo manager. I've been teaching either dancing or Aikido for 45 some years, including 10 years at the Pacific Northwest Ballet school. I have degrees in Psychology and Education from the University of Washington where my focus was the neuroscience of exercise. This academic study informs my personal Aikido training as well as my teaching. At Tenzan, I teach the preschoolers, the 6 and up kids, Teens and Advanced kids and the adults. I also lead the Women's Self Defense and Empowerment seminars.
Joshua Stein, 5th degree black belt
After extensive study of Tai Chi and Iaido,I began my aikido training with Bruce Bookman Sensei on April 3, 1993. I have been at it ever since. I remember thinking as I sat in seisa that the mat could accept all the mistakes I would make and it has not let me down. I have studied and taught in San Francisco, New York, West Palm Beach, Auckland and London. Bookman Sensei is the finest teacher of Aikido I have known with impeccable timing and a keen ability to see exactly what a student needs and how to communicate that to each student.
Brigid, 5th degree black belt
Brigid teaches weapons + Ukemi on Fridays at 6:30 p.m. and a beginners class on Sundays at noon.
Jonathan Swift, 5th degree black belt
Jonathan has studied aikido with Bookman Sensei since 2004. Before coming to Tenzan Aikido, he trained in shito-ryu karate for several years and brings some of this training into the aikido classes he teaches. In addition to holding the rank of Godan (5th degree blackbelt) in Aikido, he holds a blackbelt in iaido and a blackbelt in karate. Jonathan also studies and practices Rinzai Zen and leads a meditation group at Tenzan every Thursday.
“For me, aikido practice is about being here now, in this very moment. See, feel, and act without hesitation, fear, or self. In that way, the practice is alive and reveals something new every time. What joy!”
Bobby Roe, 2nd degree black belt
Bobby joined a North Texas Aikido club in 1994 and has trained in dojos across the country since. He first got on the mat at Tenzan Aikido in 2016 and began teaching in 2018. Before settling in the Pacific Northwest, Bobby lived for 2 decades in Brooklyn, NY, training with Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan, Hal Lehrman sensei and others.
His classes focus on learning the basics with relaxed, focused movement and awareness.
Bobby works as a software engineer, applying day-to-day Aiki principles with people and computers.
Dan Low, 1st degree black belt
I took my first aikido class in 2007 and have been training at Tenzan aikido since 2012. I work as a pediatric anesthesiologist at Seattle Childrens and also teach at the UW School of Medicine. I apply the same principles of teaching on and off the mat emphasizing deep understanding of fundamental principles, techniques to improve situational awareness and sensitivity which lead to efficiency and effectiveness. For me aikido is a mirror into life, relationships and work. Aikido is ‘effort responsive’ - show up with the right mindset and you will learn. I believe that if you apply just the right amount of pressure at the right time at the right place and you can move a partner, a group or change the world.
Justin Baram Blackwell, 1st degree black belt
Justin came back to Aikido after a “short break” (24 years) when he enrolled his kids in Tenzan’s children’s classes. Starting back at the beginning, he dove into the study of Aikido and earned his Shodan (first-degree black belt) at Tenzan in June 2019. Justin’s extra work in weapons led him to study Musho Shinden-Ryu Iaido and earn his Shodan from Bookman Sensei in February 2022.
“I spent more than 20 years trying to find a way back to Aikido. When my kids were old enough to start training, I got my chance and I took it. Along with Aikido I have been very fortunate to study Iaido under Bookman Sensei. Iaido has helped to temper my Aikido: being present in the moment, making each movement decisive, experiencing each kata (form), and striving to feel each kata’s seasons is inspiring.”
Margie Ikeda, 1st degree black belt
I discovered Aikido at Tenzan in 2019 when searching for an activity that my 13-year-old and I could learn together. After just a month, I was totally in love with the practice. Aikido centers me and helps me reconnect with the best parts of myself. Practice gives me greater capacity to accept the world around me and makes me a better partner, friend, mother, business owner, and physician.
I feel privileged to be practicing Aikido under the tutelage of Sensei Bookman. Visiting seminars and dojos across the country and internationally has made me realize how amazing Sensei Bookman truly is — not only for his depth of knowledge and love for the art, but also for his dedication to his students.
I started assistant teaching the kids classes for my daughters’ kids and teens classes. I find so much joy in sharing the love of aikido with students of all ages. I especially enjoy the moment when my students have the ‘ah ha’ moment, or when I can tell they are truly in their body.
Matt McCauley, 1st degree black belt
Matt joined Tenzan Aikido in 2019 and he and his two children can be found training at the dojo most every day. He values both the quality of practice and the strong community found at Tenzan Aikido and he continues to be inspired by the variety and depth of practice that Aikido offers.
When not at the dojo, Matt represents Washington physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals in litigation and licensing investigations. His practice of Aikido influences his approach to conflict management and the practice of law.
Keith Bookman, Black Belt Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Chief intructor Tenzan Jiu Jitsu
I grew up here at Tenzan Aikido with my father, Bruce Bookman, who is the Head Instructor of the dojo. Martial arts have always been engraved deep into my roots. I earned a junior brown belt after training 8 years in Aikido. I then fell in love with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. My father tutored me in my formative years so I could understand the basics and always be prepared. For the past 6 years I have been training, teaching and competing full time and wholeheartedly in BJJ. Previously, I ran the children's program for Gracie Barra East Austin and also assisted in teaching the adults program. I have earned medals on some of the biggest stages of competition, including Gold in the Seattle 2017 Revolution, Seattle International Open, Gracie Barra Texas, San Antonio International Open and others.
Jiu Jitsu is my passion. I like to workout with discipline, use my brain, and give to others. Jiu Jitsu allows me to experience all of this to the fullest.
In 2022, Professor Keith opened Tenzan Jiu Jitsu in the same building as Tenzan Aikido. Check their website for info and class schedule. www.tenzanjiujitsu.com