Matt Fluty Sensei
began Aikido training in 1990 in Stockton, CA under the instruction of
John Smartt Sensei. From 1991 to 1995 Matt was engaged in a rigorous
teacher apprenticeship program that was made available to committed
students who endeavored to share their passion and understanding of
Aikido through teaching. At the heart of the teacher apprenticeship program was the mission to
develop responsible teachers who in addition to having a deep knowledge
of Aikido practice, were able to express and exemplify the core
principles of Aikido though their actions, on and off the mat.
Throughout his apprenticeship, Matt engaged daily in a myriad of Aikido
and Aikido-related practices including keiko (training on the mat), the
study of Aikido history, philosophy and cosmology, as well as
meditation and healing arts. After a period of four years of deep
immersion that culminated in the completion of his teacher
apprenticeship, Matt was awarded a teaching certification from Smartt
Sensei. In 1995, Matt relocated to Sacramento, California and created a
dojo that is today The Aikido Center. Since becoming a full time Aikido
sensei, Matt has had the great opportunity to practice Aikido not only
as a personal endeavor, but also as a leader of a community of people
aspiring to make manifest the profound principles of Aikido as taught
by Ueshiba Morihei O Sensei. Matt Sensei continues to practice both
home and abroad with many accomplished Aikido Sensei, including Peter
Shapiro Sensei of Bern, Switzerland, Anno Motomichi Sensei and Tasaka
Mitsuo Shihan of the Kumano Juku Dojo in Shingu, Japan, the dojo of the
late Hikitsuchi Michio Sensei 10th Dan. Matt Fluty is the dojo-cho and
chief instructor of The Aikido Center. He has been a full time Aikido
instructor since 1994, and currently holds the Aikido rank of Yondan.
He and his wife Theresa reside in Lake Tahoe, California with their two
cats, Guinan and Sai, and their dog Lucca. Aside from Aikido, Matt
enjoys spending time outdoors, interfacing with the myriad life forms
in nature. He and Lucca can often times be found, or rather not found,
exploring the mountains and lakes surrounding Lake Tahoe.
My name is Theresa Fluty. I have been practicing Aikido for 20 years. I began at New School Aikido in Stockton, CA with John Smartt Sensei and hold the rank of sandan (third degree black belt). With my partner, Matt Fluty, I own and operate the Aikido Center.
My experience through practicing and teaching Aikido has transformed my view of myself and life. I have learned to engage life through the perspective of Aikido, the Way of Unity with Ki.
I can no longer accept the belief that my actions don't affect the greater community. I, like you, am a vital and significant part of this planet, of life and of the great family of humanity. I, like you, have the potential and responsibility to bring my core gifts to the benefit of this world. A deep and loving relationship with Aikido kindled the spark of my potential into strong capability and the idea of responsibility into a life that serves a community of high quality people, themselves deepening their knowledge of Aikido. Aikido is my Way of being and I am grateful to John Smartt Sensei and my first instructor Dan Matlock Sensei for creating the opportunity for me to find out about Aikido, to practice and learn. I am blessed by my partner, Matt Fluty, to have been brought into his vision and passion to create and sustain this rare jewel that is called Aikido Center.
Dewight Kramer
was born in South Lake Tahoe, in 1976. At around 9 years of age Dewight
had his first martial art lesson, and was hooked. From that point on he
participated in whatever martial art training he could. At the age of
17 Dewight decided to take a break from martial arts, due to some
philosophical questions. In October 1996 Dewight participated in his
first Aikido lesson. After the intensive weekend course he knew he had
found his life art.During the 13 hours of intensive training, he would
hear things such as, "we do not practice to merely defend ourselves but
to unify ourselves with the attacker and the world, and through this
practice we are safe and our partner is safe." We are safe AND our
partner is safe!
Upon being accepted to the Teaching Apprenticeship
(TA) Program at The Aikido Center, Dewight immersed himself ever deeper
in training and the inner dealings of the Dojo. It was not long after
starting the TA Program that Dewight began teaching children. Within
the next few years he became the director/teacher for the older
children's program, as well as a substitute for the adult classes. By
the end of 2001 he was the main teacher for the adult beginner classes.
Dewight graduated the Teaching Apprenticeship Program in December 2002.
Upon graduating from his Apprenticeship Dewight returned to formal
education. In 2005 Dewight was accepted by U.C. Davis focusing on East
Asian Studies, with an emphasis in Japanese culture. Toward the end of
his time at UCD Dewight participated in a Japanese immersion program in
northern Kyoto. Today Dewight is a Sandan (third degree black belt).
His teachings center around the details of physical movement and
creating better connections with others and oneself through this
physicality. He also emphasizes the philosophical and spiritual aspects
of Aikido that help bring the physical teachings into ones every day
life.
My name is Theresa Fluty. I have been practicing Aikido for 20 years. I began at New School Aikido in Stockton, CA with John Smartt Sensei and hold the rank of sandan (third degree black belt). With my partner, Matt Fluty, I own and operate the Aikido Center.
My experience through practicing and teaching Aikido has transformed my view of myself and life. I have learned to engage life through the perspective of Aikido, the Way of Unity with Ki.
I can no longer accept the belief that my actions don't affect the greater community. I, like you, am a vital and significant part of this planet, of life and of the great family of humanity. I, like you, have the potential and responsibility to bring my core gifts to the benefit of this world. A deep and loving relationship with Aikido kindled the spark of my potential into strong capability and the idea of responsibility into a life that serves a community of high quality people, themselves deepening their knowledge of Aikido. Aikido is my Way of being and I am grateful to John Smartt Sensei and my first instructor Dan Matlock Sensei for creating the opportunity for me to find out about Aikido, to practice and learn. I am blessed by my partner, Matt Fluty, to have been brought into his vision and passion to create and sustain this rare jewel that is called Aikido Center.
