Mitch Sakofs Sensei began his study of Shinshin Toitsu Aikido in 1978 at the
Rocky Mountain Ki Society in Boulder, Colorado.  There he studied directly
with Kashiwaya Sensei, Chief Instructor of the Midland Ki Federation and
inner student of Tohei Sensei, founder of Ki-Aikido. Sakofs Sensei taught
beginner and advanced class at the Rocky Mountain Ki Society as well as the
University of Colorado.  In 1983, he received the rank of Shodan (1st Degree
Black Belt) in Shinshin Toitsu Aikido.  


Derek Buttiker Sensei has been actively involved in the martial arts for over
25 years.  He has studied Shinshin Toitsu Aikido under Sakofs Sensei since
1995 and holds the rank of Shodan  (1st Degree Black Belt). Buttiker Sensei’s
experience includes a 1st Degree Black Belt in Yun Mu Kwan Karate and he
was the instructor for the Fairfield University Tang Soo Do Karate Club for 10
years.

Connecticut Ki Aikido