AllanKaplanallank Allan Kaplan began practicing Aikido when he was an Oberlin College freshman in 1976. Allan has traveled, lived, and practiced Aikido in Japan. He has taught in many dojos across the US and has been active at the Seattle School Of Aikido since 1987. He received his 4th degree black belt in 1993. Allan considers Mitsugi Saotome, Hiroshi Ikeda, Seishiro Endo, and the late Terry Dobson as his primary influences among the many instructors with whom he has trained. “Central to my Aikido philosophy are the tenets of centeredness, non-aggression, and a relaxed, yet not passive, posture. My studies in Tai Chi added insight to these concepts. With proper posture and alignment one can meld more completely with an attack while maintaining one’s own integrity, resulting in a more pure resolution.” AllanK.jpg