Meet Our Staff

Chief Instructor Bob Wilcox is a 5th degree black belt and Shidoin (Certified Senior Instructor) in USAF (Hombu Style) Aikido. Known for his dynamic movement and practical application of techniques, Mr. Wilcox also leads seminars and workshops for all levels of practitioners. His lineage is direct to the founder of Aikido through his primary teacher, Harvey Konigsberg Shihan and his teachers, Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan and Seiichi Sugano Shihan. Mr. Wilcox is a licensed Professional Engineer and works as an engineering analyst, designer and creative problem solver. He is also a recently published author - check out his sci-fi buddhist adventure, "Karma On Tap".

"Aikido is a path, a practice for people who like to move - and want to grow physically, mentally and spiritually, and know there's more to life than working, paying bills and watching tv, or running on a treadmill. It's for connecting to nature and to those around you in a real and grounded sense. Let's face it - life is tough, human beings can be violent, and there are many real challenges to be met. Real martial effectiveness and mental and emotional discipline will come with time and practice, but the ultimate goal is to develop a way of being, a state of mind which is in harmony with the universe. Embracing the concept of victory, not by hurting someone, but by redirecting their violence, and meeting it with peace in your heart. That is sublime, and truly unique to Aikido. It requires deep repatterning and victory over one's self. But you have to do it. You have to commit and dive into the training. You are the only one who can do that."                                -Bob Wilcox

Marilyn St. John is a USAF certified 4th degree black belt and Shidoin (Certified Senior Instructor) in Aikido and a 5th degree black belt in Tang Soo Do. Ms. St. John has over 25 years of experience teaching martial arts to children and adults and has a degree in Therapeutic Recreation. In addition to being the Children's Program Director and Instructor at Kingston Aikido, she is the Chief Instructor at Pak's Karate in Woodstock, and teaches Pilates at her new Pilates Studio in Kingston at the Rt. 28 West Gym.

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