Chief Instructor

Eran Junryu Vardi Sensei – 6th Dan, Shihan.  Senior instructor at the United States Aikido Federation (USAF) and InternationalAikido Federation (IAF).

Vardi Sensei’s Aikido journey began in Israel, in 1989. After relocating to the US, he studied for almost three decades under the guidance of Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan, who was a direct student of O’Sensei, founder of Aikido. Throughout his Aikido career, Vardi Sensei trained under Chiba Shihan, Kanai Shihan, and Sugano Shihan, all direct students of the founder. Vardi Sensei’s teaching style is deeply influenced by the late Donovan Waite Shihan, who has been his teacher and a great mentor. In 1997 Sensei founded Aikido Of Ramapo Valley, and has been maintaining active training programs for adults and children.

Eran Junryu Vardi is a Roshi (Zen master), and an ordained Zen priest, in the lineage of Taizan Maezumi Roshi. He is a member of the White Plum Asangha and The American Zen Teachers Association. He is the founder and spiritual director of Eiryu-ji Zen Center.

Vardi Sensei travels to lead Aikido seminars, and Zen retreats in the US and abroad.

In addition to teaching Aikido and Zen, Eran is also a certified Health & Well-Being Coach, a graduate of Duke Integrative Medicine Program. He is working closely with people on cultivating sustainable positive health changes, leading to a greater sense of well-being and contentment.

Assistant Instructors

Each carefully selected ARV Assistant Instructor has cultivated years of dedicated Aikido experience and trains regularly with Vardi Sensei to ensure that all classes remain consistent, effective and of the highest quality.