Galen David (he/him)

Chief Instructor

Galen founded East Lake Aikido in 2017. He feels a deep gratitude to all of his teachers and generous Senpai who continue to share their practice and teaching with him, enriching his own.

He began Aikido in 2001, studying briefly at New York Aikikai before moving to Burlington, Vermont where he began his training in earnest with Ben Pincus Sensei, 6th dan, chief instructor at Aikido of Champlain Valley and Cloud Mountain Living Arts & Aikido.

Galen’s practice and teaching are deeply informed by the three years he spent at Boulder Aikikai in Colorado training and studying with Tres Hofmeister Sensei, 7th dan, of Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU). It was there that Galen was introduced by Tres to the Feldenkrais Method®, which led him to pursue and complete a training program in that discipline as well. 

In 2024 East Lake Aikido affiliated with Birankai North America. Under the guidance of Roo Heins Sensei, 6th dan of Mitsubishi Dojo Galen tested for Sandan (3rd degree black belt) in June 2024, and Fukushidoin (junior instructor certification) in November 2024.

When not at the dojo—or in his office where he works as a Psychotherapist and Feldenkrais Practitioner, Galen is learning about being a person from his children Alma and Sky, and his partner Hannah.