Galen David
he/him
Senior Instructor
Galen founded East Lake Aikido in 2017.
He began Aikido in 2001, studying briefly at New York Aikikai before moving to Burlington, Vermont where he began training with his root teacher Ben Pincus Sensei, 6th dan, chief instructor at Aikido of Champlain Valley and Cloud Mountain Living Arts & Aikido.
Galen’s practice and teaching are also deeply informed by the two 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.
From 2011-2018 Galen trained at the Twin Cities Aikido Center where he began teaching in 2013. He received his 2nd dan in 2016.
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.
When not at the dojo—or the clinic 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.
Hannah Kramer
she/her
Assistant Instructor
Hannah currently teaches all of the youth and family classes as part of her ongoing training.
Sam Taitel
they/them
Instructor at Large
Sam officially began their training in 1999 at the age of 5 in the children's program at Aikido Centers of New Jersey. At 10 they moved to the adult classes under Greg O'Connor, alongside their mother, Janice Taitel, to continue practice as well as participate in many seminars in the tristate area.
Then Sam transitioned to training at New York Aikikai, the United States Aikido Federation* headquarters, under Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan, 8th dan, and many other wonderful instructors. Claire Keller continues to be a cherished mentor and friend. For part of this time Sam took the opportunity to spend a year as a live-in student (uchideshi) to expand their horizons and deepen their practice. Near the other end of this life chapter, Sam tested for and received their 3rd degree black belt (sandan) in 2017.
After about 8 years in New York City, Sam decided to take another leap in life and move to Minneapolis with their partner, Jacob, and cat, Sweeny. They have since added 2 dogs to the home crew, Olaf and Sven. Sam is grateful that for the past 6 years East Lake Aikido has been a place they get to continue learning through both training and teaching.
After over 25 years of playfully serious training, their present mantra is that we must notice to care.
*Sam is currently and intentionally not enrolled as a member in any Aikido federation.