Randy Stoner Sensei

Randy sensei is a graduate of the eleven and a half month 2nd Yoshinkan International Instructors Course, held in Tokyo. Sensei lived in Japan for five years, where he studied Yoshinkan aikido, the Japanese language, and culture. To date, he has been teaching Yoshinkan aikido for over 15 years.

In addition to aikido sensei has studied many other disciplines, such as Jyodo, Judo, Jujitsu, stick, knife, and Kubotan. When frustration occurs he often says, "Once learnt you need only apply yourself to get it back. But, it is never lost."

Sensei's teaching technique has a unique way of breaking down even the most difficult to understand techniques to provide even greater understanding. Students always walk away with answers that help with their own personal growth. He has participated in and run numerous demonstrations, seminars, private and group classes. Sensei, together with Matt sensei, ran the Shindokan Dojos in southern California, after Reynolds sensei's departure to Thailand, where now lives with his family.

Together with Matt sensei and Joe Shopp (CFO), he embarked on the creation of the Eishinkan dojo. With encouragement and best wishes from many people both high and low in the Yoshinkan world sensei registered the Eishinkan dojo name with the International Yoshinkan Aikido Federation (IYAF), and received membership in October, 2003. Sensei holds the primary role of Chief Instructor for the adult, seminar, defense, and combat aikido classes at the Eishinkan Dojo.

Matt de Heras Sensei

Sensei began his study in martial arts while attending the University of Oregon. He took many classes in Judo, Karate, Wing Chung & Aikido at the University of Oregon. Aikido though, became his primary study after graduating. He began his study in Yoshinkan Aikido in Huntington Beach under Geordan Reynolds Sensei (5th Dan) January of 1993. Reynolds Sensei, a recent graduate of the first International Instructor course in Japan, brought a wealth of knowledge and energy to the study of Aikido. In addition to sensei’s normal class schedule, he enrolled in the first 10 month American Specialist Course that demanded all the finer points in Yoshinkan Aikido. To further compliment his skills, Matt Sensei has also trained two years in Kali Eskrima Arnis, under Instructor Steve Tarani Martial Arts School. Recently, Matt sensei has spent the last 4 years directly studying under Jacques Payet (5th dan). Payet Sensei was an uchi deshi for many years under Kancho Shioda Goza (Founder of Yoshinkan) and head foreign instructor to the International Instructor’s course in Japan.

Currently, Matt Sensei is a registered instructor and member of the International Yoshinkan Aikido Federation in Tokyo, Japan. Over his 13 years, he has been fortunate enough thru his teacher Geordan Reynolds, to have met and trained with many master teachers such as Chida, Ando, Takeno, Chino, Payet and Kevin Blok. Reynolds Sensei’s quest to bring some of the top Yoshinkan Aikido teachers here, and introduce them abroad in Japan and Canada was an eye opening experience. It’s inspired Sensei to travel to Japan and Canada learning more from these master teachers, taking part in the All Japan Aikido Demonstration 1995 & 1998 and developing strong ties with fellow aikidoka (aikido students).

Sensei’s role at the Eishinkan Dojo is as adult Instructor & head children’s instructor. He currently lives in the Rancho Santa Margarita area with his wife and daughter.