Derek Blackburn

Mr. Derek Blackburn holds the rank of Shodan conferred by Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan of Boulder Aikikai in 2005. He has trained and studied with many wonderful and powerful Instructors around the country including David Goldberg Sensei - Godan, Dan Messisco Sensei - Rokyudan, Michael Friedl Sensei - Rokydan, Hiroshi Ikeda - Shihan and too many more to list; while leading classes with Pikes Peak Aikido from 2002 - 2006, and in Oregon since 2009.

In addition, Derek makes it a point to attend multiple seminars and camps, including Mitsugi Saotome Shihan, Ikeda Shihan, Frank Doran Shihan, and many more.

His teaching approach is to establish a comfortable environment in which a practitioner can start to explore his or her personal ability and the strong feeling of self and space.