Ranked 4th dan in both aikido and Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu iaido, Roach Sensei is one of the trustees and teachers for Aikido Mountain West. He is also the founder and head instructor of his own dojo-group: Mountain Wind Dojo. His study and exploration of Japanese arts, language, and culture was a natural result of many generations of familial connection to Japan.

Roach Sensei's passion for Japanese history, mythology, and sword-related religious iconology led him to write Japanese Swords: Cultural Icons of a Nation - The History, Metallurgy, and Iconography of the Samurai Sword (Tuttle, 2010). Beyond researching on Japanese topics, hiss primary academic focuses are in teaching, independent school leadership, and applying neuroscience in educational settings, and nonprofit consulting services.

Roach Sensei is a longtime and dedicated student of Frank Doran Shihan and Cyndy Hayashi Shihan, although his style has been influenced by many aikido teachers, both in the USA, as well as Japan. Similarly, although Roach has studied with many great iaido teachers, his two main influences in iaido are Esaka Seigan Sensei,10th Dan, and Ochiai Tadao Sensei, Hanshi 10th Dan. Roach Sensei was honored to serve Ochiai Sensei directly in helping him translate and demonstrate during his instruction at his last seminars in the U.S.A.

Contact Roach Sensei about hosting him for a seminar.

Despite his accomplishments in Martial Arts, Roach Sensei is first and foremost the proud husband to Alethea and father to Aidan, Porter, Charlie, and Henry. His family is his highest distinction. For updates check out the Roach Family Blog.