John Mazza Sensei (Headmaster / Kō-chō)
Mazza-Sensei has had over 50 years experience in the study, practice and teaching of the Martial Way. He began his training in Korea in 1964 studying the art of Judo. Upon his return to the United States, he began his study of Oriental Philosophy and Meditation. Believing that the only true path to self-understanding is through disciplined practice and the Martial Way, he immersed himself in the study and practice of various arts.
Mazza-Sensei has studied various styles of Karate and Kung Fu. Feeling that there should be more to the Arts than kicking and punching, he embarked upon the study of Aikido. It was through this study that he gained a deep understanding of the Martial Way. At this time, he began the study of Zen and came to realize that all practice is truly one. The purpose of all training is the development of the individual.
Mazza-Sensei currently holds the rank of Rokudan in Aikido, issued by Aikido World H.Q. in Tokyo, Japan. He serves as Headmaster (Kō-chō) of the dojo.
合気会の六段、残心館道場の校長
Craig Bina Sensei (Chief Instructor)
Bina-Sensei is a professor emeritus of Earth and planetary sciences at Northwestern University. Mr. Bina began training in Aikido with Shihan Fumio Toyoda at Tenshinkan Dojo in Chicago in 1980. He later trained at the Jiyūgaoka Dojo of Shihan Hiroshi Tada in Tokyo, Japan, at the Shobukan Dojo of Shihan Mitsugi Saotome in Washington, D.C., and at the Kokikai Dojo of Shihan Shuji Maruyama in Princeton, New Jersey, while returning periodically to Chicago to continue training with Toyoda-Sensei. In recent years he has been an occasional visiting student at the Fudoshin Dojo of Sensei Václav Kubát in Prague, Czech Republic (affiliated with Shihan Masatomi Ikeda) and at the Shobu Aikido of the Berkshires Dojo of Sensei Satoru Sato in Great Barrington, Massachusetts (affiliated with Shihan Mitsugi Saotome). He continues to train under the supervision of Sensei John Mazza. Bina-Sensei holds the rank of Yondan and the title of Shidōin. He serves as chief instructor of the dojo.
合気会の四段、親睦会の指導員
Bruce Caughran Sensei (Assistant Instructor)
Caughran-Sensei began his Aikido training in 2001 in Oak Park, Illinois, with Shihan Fumio Toyoda’s student, Sensei Dianne Costanzo. He joined Zanshinkan Dojo in 2016 after moving to Evanston and becoming a staff member in the Northwestern University Psychology Department. Caughran-Sensei holds the rank of Yondan and the title of Shidōin.
合気会の四段、徳心館の指導員
Caroline Freitag Sensei (Assistant Instructor)
Freitag-Sensei is a long-time member of Zanshinkan Dojo, and she often assists with instruction. Freitag-Sensei holds the rank of Shodan.
合気会の初段
Rafael Bras Sensei (Assistant Instructor)
Bras-Sensei is a long-time member of Zanshinkan Dojo, and he often assists with instruction. Bras-Sensei holds the rank of Shodan.
合気会の初段