Michael Friedl is a 7th degree black belt in Aikido. He has also studied Shorei/Kempo Karate and Tai Chi. His Aikido training began in 1972 under Clyde Takeguchi Sensei in Madison, Wisconsin. From 1975-1977, he was a live-in student (also known as a uchi deshi) for Takeguchi Sensei in Charleston, South Carolina. In 1978 Friedl Sensei established a Dojo in Burlington, Vermont. He relocated to Ashland, Oregon in 1979 then started a small Aikido club there. Freidl Sensei became a direct student of Frank Doran Shihan in 1979 and has been a student of Doran Sensei since that time.

From 1981-1983, Friedl Sensei was uchi deshi for Saito Sensei in Iwama, Japan. There he studied the Iwama style of weapons. He returned to Ashland in 1986 and started a Dojo at the Ashland YMCA in 1987. In July of 1994, Aikido of Ashland opened it’s doors to Dojo members. It is one of the dojos in Division 2 of the California Aikido Association (CAA).

Friedl Sensei is a Shihan and Division Head for Division Two, one of three Division Heads, of the CAA. The CAA has a direct link to Hombu Dojo, the Aikido Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan and the Ueshiba Family.

Aikido of Ashland Dojo is a very special place to discover the path of Aikido. Not only are there many different styles and teachers in almost every class but also it is a very clean, inspiring place to learn. The floors have been redone and are ideal for learning the techniques and skills of Aikido. Class members and teachers are all supportive, peaceful, and inspired. All in all this is a very wonderful place to grow and learn the way of Aikido. We invite you to come down and take a look for yourself. Feel Free to drop in for a free class at any of the times listed on our calendar.