George S. Ledyard

(b. 11 May 1952). Aikido 6th Dan Aikikai, Aikido Schools of Ueshiba. Aikido & Defensive Tactics Instructor. B. in Syracuse, NY. First taught aikido by Mitsugi SAOTOME in 1977 at the Washington DC Aikikai. After moving to the Seattle area in 1982, attended the Seatle School of Aikido under Mary Heiny as well as the Seattle Aikikai under Bruce Bookman. Other aikido training influences include Hiroshi IKEDA, Tom Read, Ellis AMDUR, and William Gleason. In 1986, became chief instructor of the Seattle School of Aikido through 1989 when he opened Aikido Eastside where he currently teaches. In 1993, founded “Defensive Tactics Options,” an aikido-based police defensive tactics training program and has conducted training for local departments, corporations, and security agencies. Also, teaches at the Bellevue Community College Administration of Criminal Justice program. Demonstrated at Aiki Expo 2002 in Las Vegas, Nevada.