Sensei
Jim Eggleston Hapkido Instructor
I began training in the martial arts in 1971 by
taking Judo classes while I attended college in California. In 1974,
I joined the Army and traveled around for 20 years before retiring
in 1994. I was a Military Policeman and later became a CID Special
Agent. Because of the traveling, it was difficult to train in any
one art for a prolonged period of time.
My first training after college was in Korea where I
studied Chun Moo Kwan Tae Kwon Do for three (3) years. There was a
gap after that period and I did not seriously train again until I
went to Germany in 1984. There I trained with Sensei Lenear Randall,
a Godan (5th Degree) with Peter Urban's New York Goju Ryu
Karate/Kempo and Shihan John Simione, American Combat Karate
Association. I was awarded a black belt (shodan) in Goju Ryu Karate
in 1990. I was later transferred to San Francisco in 1991 for two
years where I was able to study Praying Mantis Kung Fu and Hapkido.
Finally, after the Presidio of San Francisco closed,
I was sent to Fort Lewis, WA (Tacoma) and I started my training in
Aikijujitsu (Icho-Ryu under Bernie Lau Sensei). I was awarded my
black belt after 4 years of training in 1998. I was later awarded my
Nidan (2nd Degree) in 2002. In 2003, I began training in
Aikido learning both the traditional style from Sensei Marvin
Bookman (Yamada's style) and in Tenshin Aikido under Sensei Luis
Santos. I also trained in Iaido with Bookman Sensei and he also
provided basic instruction in Gracie Jujitsu.
I completed my Master's Degree and began teaching
Tenshin Aikido and Aikijujitsu. I was awarded my Third Degree (Sandan)
Black Belt in March 2005 and my Fourth Degree (Yondan) Black Belt in
June 2009 through Shiehan Jeffrey Moore (8th Dan) of the
American Federation of Jujutsu.
I presently am cross training in the art of Kyoshu
Ryo Kempo and Kajukenbo with Sensei McGinley (5th Degree)
in Lakewood, WA. I continue to teach TenShin methodology Aikido and
self defense classes. I also continue to train with other
instructors such as Master Ron Jennings (6th Degree),
Danzan Ryu Jujustu, Olympia, WA and conduct community based
self-defense seminars. I work full time at the Medical Examiner’s
Office as an investigator and teach during the e