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Casey Rodgers, 4th Dan
Rodgers Sensei began studying Aikido when he was 18. Prior to that time he dabbled in various
other styles of martial arts but frequent moving prevented him from becoming grounded
anywhere. Twelve years ago he found Alexander Sensei and has been there ever since.
Rodgers Sensei believes an honest approach to your training is best suited to your
survival in this world. Acknowledging your chosen style's strengths is easy, but
acknowledging your style's weakness and doing something about it, is not.
To that end he is always on the lookout for something he can "steal" from
other martial art styles and has been training Karate for the past four years.
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Christopher S. Field, 4th Dan, Technical Director
Field Sensei was initially drawn to Aikido after he and his father rented Steven Seagal's
first film, 'Above the Law'. After seeing that film, Field Sensei knew he found
the martial art that he wanted to study. After a little searching he found
Alexander Sensei, and has been his student ever since.
Field Sensei keeps his classes firmly grounded in the basics. He feels that it
is those basic techniques, done ad nauseam every day, that are truly the most
practical and the most likely to be used to defend oneself.
No longer and active weekly instructor at the WVAC dojo, Field Sensei lives
in Cedar Park, Texas. He makes video games for a living and works as a
Producer/Designer for Super Happy Fun Fun in Austin.
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Allen Twarowski, 4th Dan, Policy Director
Twarowski Sensei was first introduced to Aikido at the Cornell Judo club over
two decades ago.? When he moved to Thousand Oaks he restarted Aikido training
at North Hollywood dojo and after a year there, he heard of David Alexander's
traditional-style Aikido and joined Westlake Village Aikido.? He has been training
at Westlake Village Aikido for the past ten years and is currently
one of the four directors of the Aikido dojo.
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Chris Powell, 4th Dan, Business Director
Powell Sensei's first taste of Aikido came in 1978 while in 7th grade. He trained for
about 6 months before the dojo moved. After the dojo moved, Powell Sensei could no
longer make it to the class, but that brief experience was enough to hook him for life.
He spent the next 15 years looking for something to fill his need for Aikido.
He trained Tang-Soo-Do from 1983 to 1987 while stationed at
Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.
From 1987 to 1988 it was Tae-Kwan-Do while stationed in Taegu, Korea.
Then there was Kempo Karate from 1990 to 1992 in Newbury Park, California.
Powell Sensei finally found Alexander Sensei in 1993 and he's been here ever since.
Powell Sensei feels that "Training Aikido (with Alexander Sensei) has filled a large
void left in my life that was created in '78".
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Scott McGinnis, 4th Dan, Coordinating Director
Born Scott Michael McGinnis on August 24 1973, Mr. McGinnis' martial arts
career has spanned many years. It all started with Tang Soo Do in 1982.
Mr. McGinnis trained for many days, perfecting his art until he had to step aside
to make more time for other stuff. A very short time later, in the summer
of 1996, he came back to the martial arts when he discovered Aikido (this
had nothing to do with Steven Seagal movies). Since then he has been compared to
the mighty redwood, the great sands of the earth, and even Grandma's sofa.
Mr. McGinnis is now back training Tang Soo Do in addition to Aikido and
loves every second of it, sometimes training as many as 10 classes (that's
both styles) a day. His own personal motto that he thought up himself...
"All you need is love".
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