Certified Aikido Instructors at Southland Aikido
Southland Aikido’s instructors are certified through Aikikai World Headquarters in Japan and the United States Aikido Federation. They bring decades of direct lineage training, including time with original students of Aikido’s founder, to every class taught at this dojo.
Every instructor volunteers their time. Teaching Aikido is a commitment to their practice.
Chief Instructor
James Graves — 6th Dan, Shihan
Read James Graves Sensei’s full profile
James Graves Sensei began his martial journey in 1981 at Mount Pleasant Aikido. His technical foundation was forged through direct training with original students of Aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba, including a period as a live-in student with the late Morihiro Saito Sensei in Iwama, Japan. After co-founding City Aikido of Los Angeles in 1991, he revived Southland Aikido in 2015 to provide a dedicated space for serious martial study. In 2024, he was awarded the title of Shihan (master instructor) by the Aikikai World Headquarters.
Instructor
Rod Yabut — 4th Dan, Shidoin
Rod’s path in Aikido began in 1999 at Orange County Aikikai, later bringing him to City Aikido of Los Angeles in 2004 to train under Kazuho Nishida Sensei. Since 2015, he’s been a student at Southland Aikido under Jim Graves Sensei. Rod’s practice is deeply rooted in the technical lineage of the USAF’s founding Shihankai and its technical committee. He considers Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei—who oversaw each of his dan exams—to be a foundational influence on his training. He remains a committed student of Aikido, frequently attending seminars and traveling to Tokyo to train at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo.
Assistant Instructors
Victor Rodriguez — 4th Dan
Victor began his Aikido training in 1985 at the Aikido Center of Los Angeles, earning his 1st Dan in 1988 and stepping into the role of assistant instructor shortly thereafter. In 1993, he continued his development at City Aikido of Los Angeles under Kazuho Nishida Sensei, where he went on to serve as Chief Instructor for several years. Victor holds the rank of 4th Dan and credits Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei and the late Mitsunari Kanai Sensei as his primary influences.
Ken Fung — 3rd Dan
Ken began his martial arts training in 1986 with taekwondo before shifting his focus to aikido in 1996 at City Aikido of Los Angeles where he started his training under Kaz Nishida Sensei and Jim Graves Sensei. His decades of disciplined practice earned him his 1st Dan from Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei and his 2nd Dan from Peter Bernath Sensei. In 2022, Nishida Sensei awarded Ken his 3rd Dan and appointed him dojo chief instructor. Ken joined Southland Aikido in 2023, reuniting with Graves Sensei to continue his training and to support the growth of the dojo community.
Reid Honjiyo — 3rd Dan
Reid’s path in Aikido began in 2003 at Aikido Academy under the direction of Francis Takahashi Sensei and Robin Mitsui Sensei, alongside additional training from John Harney Sensei, a student of Morihiro Saito Sensei. He was awarded his 3rd Dan by Mariye Takahashi Sensei, a pioneering figure who was among the first female uchideshi sent from Hombu Dojo to the U.S. and one of the last surviving teachers to have direct contact with the founder. In 2022, Reid continued his aikido study by joining Southland Aikido to study under Jim Graves Sensei.
Begin Your Training
True discipline is cultivated through consistent practice under the watchful eye of experienced teachers. Whether you are seeking martial mechanics or a mindful approach to technical applications, our instructors are here to guide your progress.
Visit our Monterey Park dojo to observe class, or secure your space in an upcoming introductory session.