Official Facebook page for Aikido San Marcos, dojo Cho Sensei Mike Gallo 6th Dan.388 Enterprise StreetSan Marcos, CA 92078(760) 471-0424
Gallo Sensei has been teaching adult Aikido for 20 years and training in Martial Arts for over 46 years. He currently holds the rank of rokudan (6th Degree Black Belt) in Aikido issued by Aiki Hombu Dojo (Aikido Head Dojo) in Tokyo, Japan. His training in other martial arts includes Shotokan, Aiki Jujitsu, and Kenpo Karate, as well as a number of weapons arts. In addition, Gallo Sensei is an Acupuncturist, CPT (Certified Personal Trainer) and HHP (Holistic Health Practitioner).
Gallo Sensei's initial interest in the martial arts began in 1967, when he started training with Tsutomu Oshima's Shotokan Dojo in Santa Monica, CA. Later, he studied with Ed Parker in Kenpo Karate. During this time, Gallo Sensei worked as an intern Federal Parole Officer at Terminal Island prison, in conjunction with his study toward a Bachelors of Science degree in Criminology, Law Enforcement.
In 1987, Gallo Sensei began his training in Aikido. During his training, he studied under Gerald Gemmell Sensei, a student of Kazuo Chiba Shihan, and Walter Muryasz Sensei, a student of Fumio Toyoda Shihan. Gallo Sensei made numerous trips to Aikikai Hombu dojo in Japan during his Kyu and Dan ranks, staying for an extended visit of 10 weeks during his third trip to study at several dojos.
Gallo Sensei founded Hidden Valley Aiki Kai dojo in 1993. The dojo has been in continuous operation ever since.
In 2000, Gallo Sensei changed affiliations to AHI (Aikido of Hawaii International) to study under Tsutomu Kubo Shihan (7th Dan) Aiki Kai. Gallo Sensei earned his 4th,5th and 6th Dan ranks from Kubo Sensei, in 2002, 2005 and 2013 respectively
The word "Aikido" is made up of three Japanese characters known as Kanji. The first "ai" means to meet, to come together, to harmonize. The second "ki" means energy or spirit. The third "do" means the way of. When combined the meaning is: The way of harmonizing with the Spirit of Universe.
Aikido's founder Morihri Ueshiba, was born in Japan on December 14, 1883. He devoted himself to hard physical conditioning and eventually to the practice of martial arts, receiving certificates of mastery in several styles of jujitsu, fencing, and spear fighting.
In spite of his physical and martial abilities, he felt very dissatisfied. He began delving into religion in hopes of finding a deeper significance to life, all the while continuing to pursue his studies of the martial arts. By combining his martial training with his spiritual studies, he created and named "Aikido" in 1942.
Aikido is not a way to fight with or defeat enemies in the common sense. Rather it takes negative, ill-intended energy and allows it to dissolve without conflict. Aikido training is a cooperative , not competitive, endeavor. Techniques are learned in cooperation with a partner, not an opponent. The students are taught to use caution, and control the speed and force of the techniques in accordance with the abilities of their partner.
This training is not only applicable in the Dojo, but can easily be incorporated into an individual's daily life to bring peace and reduce physical and emotional stress.
Martial Arts Instruction
