Chief Instructor
Elizabeth Lynn, Shihan
Elizabeth Lynn began training in Aikido in 1971. She trained in Chicago under the late Akira Tohei Shihan, and continued her training in San Francisco, CA and in Berkeley, CA. From 1990 through 1994 she was kenshusei in
the teacher's training program conducted by I. Shibata Shihan, 7th dan, Chief Instructor of Berkeley Aikikai. She founded Eastshore Aikikai in September 1991. In February 1994, she was named Shidoin (Senior Instructor) by T. K. Chiba Shihan, 8th dan.
In April, 2007 she was awarded the title of Shihan, Master Teacher, by T. K. Chiba Shihan. She is the current Chair of Birankai North American Senior Council. She holds the rank of 6th dan.
Mike Vaughn, Shidoin
Mike Vaughn began training in Berkeley, CA in 1981 with Steve T. Sasaki Sensei. He continued his training in Berkeley with Lorraine DiAnne Shihan and I Shibata Shihan. In 1991, he joined Eastshore Aikikai. He received the teaching rank of Shidoin in April 2008, and was promoted to 5th dan in January 2012.
Carole Gifford, Fukushidoin
Carole Gifford began training in Aikido in 1999 at Alameda Aikikai with Mike Flynn Shihan.
There, she was privileged to teach both children and adults. She received her fukushidoin (assistant teacher) certificate in February 2008 and her sandan ranking later the same year.
In 2011, Carole became a member of Eastshore Aikikai. She is happy to be training under Lizzy Lynn Shihan who has been an influence throughout her Aikido career.
Lester Lawson, Fukushidoin
Lester Lawson started training in Aikido in March 2001. Before joining Eastshore Aikikai,
he was already an experienced martial artist, with a 4th degree black belt rank in Kajukenbo. He came to Aikido because he wanted to learn the way in which Aikido teaches one to
take an attacker's balance without forcing a contest of strength. He received Fukushidoin teaching rank in January 2010, and was promoted to 3rd dan in January 2012.