A math and science teacher at Cottage Grove High School since 1999, Joel Lindstrom Sensei is an experienced educator. Also a long-time music teacher, he understands the varying needs of his students, adjusting his teaching techniques to match. Adept at explaining, he quickly gets his students “into the flow” of aikido. Supported by his years in the teaching in a public school, his aikido classes are well-organized, clearly focusing on one facet of aikido. He knows from experience that fun and hard work are excellent partners in any learning environment.

Lindstrom Sensei has studied aikido since 2002. Having earned the rank of nidan (second degree black belt) at the HAI Ki Aiki Center from Jerry Glassman Sensei, he has benefited greatly from Glassman’s extensive study under a variety of senseis including Ishisaka Sensei and Koichi Tohei Sensei. He has also studied with Jourdan Arenson Sensei, a student of Hans Goto Sensei and others, including Morihiro Saito Sensei.

Lindstrom Sensei has been teaching aikido at the HAI KI Aiki Center since 2008. He teaches aikido from the perspective of the five basic principles he learned from Glassman Sensei who, in turn, based his principles on those he learned from Tohei Sensei. The five basic principles are: move from center, be centered and on balance, extended mind-heavy body, mind leads body and relax completely. All aikido techniques must, besides being martially sound, embody these principles.

For Lindstrom Sensei, aikido is a positive non-violent martial art which has benefits that extend into every aspect of daily life. With two teen-age daughters, he feels his parenting has benefited greatly from having learned to flow with difficult situations. In his classroom, aikido helps him stay relaxed under the pressures of “six fifty minute randoris.” (A randori is a multiple person attack practiced in aikido.) Even in an act as simple as opening a door or using a saw, he uses the principles he practices in aikido.