Chief Instructor
Elizabeth Lynn, Shihan
Elizabeth Lynn has been teaching Aikido for 26 years. She 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 (Chief Instructor) by T. K. Chiba Shihan, 8th dan.
In April, 2007 she was awarded the title of Shihan, or Master Teacher, by T. K. Chiba Shihan. She is the current International Secretary of Birankai International and is a member of the Senior Council and the Board of Directors of Birankai North America. She holds the rank of 6th dan.
Mike Vaughn, Shidoin
Mike Vaughn holds a 4th degree black belt. He has studied Aikido for 26 years. He 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 and began training with Elizabeth Lynn Shihan. He received the teaching rank of Fukushidoin in 2006 from T.K. Chiba Shihan, Chief Instructor of San Diego Aikikai. He received the teaching rank of Shidoin in April 2008. He continues to train under the direction of Elizabeth Lynn Shihan.