Heather and Roy Gawlick
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Heather Gawlick began her training in 1994 and is now a nanadan (master level 7th degree black belt) in aikido and a shodan (1st degree black belt) in jodo (short staff). She founded Shinju Dojo in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1999. She has spent many mat hours at Windsong Dojo in Oklahoma City and went to many seminars hosted by Karl Geis in Houston, Texas.
Roy Gawlick started his training in Houston, Texas with Karl Geis in 1997. He is now a rokudan (master level 6th degree black belt) in aikido and a nidan (2nd degree black belt) in jodo. He opened Lions Gate Aikido in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in 2001. In 2018, they moved to Longview / Kelso, Washington where they currently enjoy teaching and look forward to meeting you. |
Roy and Heather Gawlick
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A short history about our style of Aikido
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There are several styles of aikido - a martial art originating from Morihei Ueshiba (1883 - 1969) in Japan.
One of Ueshiba's students was Kenji Tomiki (1900 - 1979). Tomiki also trained with Jigoro Kano, the founder of judo. As a long-standing professor at Waseda University, he was concerned with developing a style of aikido that would be easy to teach and quick to learn as well as being effective. Karl Geis (1933 - 2014) learned aikido at the Kodokan in Japan. He was promoted to 6th degree black belt in aikido by Kenji Tomiki and became one of the founders of the Fugakukai International Association. Karl was awarded a 10th degree black belt in both judo and aikido and held a 9th degree black belt in jodo. Karl Geis is listed in the Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame. Our Aikido is neither traditional Uesheiba-style nor strictly Tomiki-style. It has a very strong Tomiki background. However, unlike traditional Tomiki groups, we do not participate in competitions. We train slowly, gently, and safely while focusing on off-balance points to initiate throws rather than pain compliance, strength, or joint locks. Instead of sparring or competing, we prefer to study free-style aikido in a gentler randori learning environment - like traditional judo schools do. Kaze Uta Budo Kai is the association we belong to and where you can find many incredible martial art schools. |
Roy, Tsunako Miyake, Karl Geis, and Heather in Houston, Texas.
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Heather, Jess Hilliam, and Roy share a laugh in Vancouver, Canada.
"You have expressed becoming a black belt so eloquently and better than anyone I have ever heard talk about the transformation. Keep up the great service that you do. Your reputation is how others perceive you and your character is who you are. And what a outstanding character you are."
- Richard "Moose" Pollard
- Richard "Moose" Pollard
