OUR EXPERIENCED INSTRUCTORS ARE HERE TO HELP REACH YOUR AIKIDO GOALS

Shihan Contreras was born in Dallas, Texas where, at the age of 20, he began to study and practice Aikido with Shihan Bill Sosa at the Southern Institute of Aikido. He has continued to practice the art for more than fifty years. Over this period of time he helped grow the presence of Aikido throughout Texas by founding and supporting numerous dojos and instructing hundreds and hundreds of students. Shihan Contreras has also prioritized making Aikido instruction available to members of the deaf community. Outside of Aikido, he has also studied the art of Tai Chi and has previously offered instruction in this area as well. He is a veteran of the US Armed Services, having served 27 years with the US Army Cavalry, and also holds a bachelor's degree in Technology Management. He also pursues passions in painting, craftsmanship, and theater. Shihan Contreras offers fluent Aikido instruction in English, Spanish, and ASL.

Sensei Garza's training history includes: Seidokan Aikido, International Aikido Association, Society of Aikido Centers, and finally back with Seidokan Aikido. Born in Ilinois. He trained in American Karate and Tae Kwon Do. In 1990, at the age of 29, he began his Aikido training with Shihan Bill Sosa and Sensei Edward Contreras in McAllen, TX at Seidokan Aikido. In 1995, he departed from Seidokan Aikido and continued his training through the International Aikido Association (IAA), where Shihan Sosa was evolving the art to a more street-wise application. In subsequent years, Sensei Garza attended numerous seminars, conducted by Shihan Sosa, in Brownsville, McAllen, Mission, Austin, Dallas, and Nuevo Laredo (Mexico). In 2002, Sensei Garza affiliated with the Society of Aikido Centers alongside Sensei Lynn Fabia. In June of 2005, Sensei Garza left the SoAC to co-found Ronin Aikido with Sensei Elias Garcia and Sensei John Flores in McAllen, Texas. In 2007, with the closing of that dojo, Sensei Garza states that he, "...was fortunate enough to hear that Shihan Edward Contreras was back in McAllen, TX teaching at the Southern Institute of Aikido. I am very happy to be able to help Shihan Contreras teach our SIoA students. I have come full circle."