The Instructor

FELIX GALLEGO 

6 th Dan Aikikai Hombu Dojo

Born and raised in Madrid, Spain, Felix Gallego has been practicing judo and other competitive sports since age 6.  He began his Aikido practice in 1995 under Tomas Sanchez Shihan. He fell immediately in love with the Art. While training under Sanchez Shihan, Felix used Aikido to learn more about his inner strength and being in the world around him, in addition to maintaining his training between sports competitions.  In 1998, Felix moved to San Francisco, California as a 3rd Kyu.  He began training at James Friedman Sensei's Dojo as an Uchi-deshi (live-in student).  In addition to the work and daily training as an Uchi-deshi, Felix made time to practice Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and enjoy the outdoors climbing and playing for the San Francisco City College and Golden Gate University Soccer teams.  During this time, he transitioned from being an athlete to coaching athletes as a USA accredited Personal Trainer, and a licensed Sports Conditioning Coach. In 2005, Felix began traveling to Tokyo, Japan with his sensei James Friedman 7th dan, visiting Kato Hiroshi Shihan at Suginami Aikikai and practicing at the Aikido World Headquarters Hombu Dojo. Felix continued to practice under Kato Hiroshi and instructors at Hombu Dojo and received promotions for black belt up to 4th Dan through James Friedman, signed and approved by Kato Hiroshi through Aikikai World Headquarters in Tokyo.  In 2023 he got promoted to 6th Dan by James Friedman Sensei and Christian Tissier Shihan. He continues being an active part of James Friedman Sensei's 11th Street Dojo in San Francisco as one of the senior instructors. 

Shortly after moving to Japan with his family in late 2017, Tenjiku Aikido was created for the community on the outskirts of Tokyo in Akiruno City.