Legacy Instructors: The Heritage of Aikido of Flagstaff
OUR FOUNDER: SENSEI BOB FRUMHOFF
SENSEI TRENT BOUDREAUX
Trent Boudreaux Sensei 3rd Dan (Sandan) began his training in the martial art of Okinawan Karate in 1974 at the age of six.
Since then he has trained in a variety of martial arts such as: Tai Chi, Kung Fu, Karate, Judo, and others. He began training in Aikido in New Orleans, Louisiana, at the age of 18 under Saul Smithson Sensei, 7th Dan (Nanadan). Sensei Smithson’s teachers were Koichi Tohei and Isao Takahashi.
In 1989 Trent moved to Flagstaff Arizona, where he joined his sensei, Saul Smithson, in opening a dojo. Within that time, Trent was ranked by Shihan Smithson as a Sandan. Shortly after moving to Flagstaff, he met Bob Frumhoff Sensei 5th Dan (Godan) and joined his dojo as an instructor because Saul Smithson Sensei had retired from the Flagstaff dojo. After joining the Flagstaff dojo with Frumhoff Sensei, Trent has traveled all over the United States to train with various senior instructors in order to deepen his understanding of Aikido.
Trent has also trained at Hombu Dojo in Japan and has had the privilege of briefly attending classes taught by Aikido Founder’s (Morihei Ueshiba) son Kisshomaru Ueshiba. His major influences in Aikido are: Shihan Hiroshi Ikeda, Shihan Mitsugi Saotome, Shihan Kenji Ushiro, Shihan Christian Tissier and the teaching staff of Aikido of Flagstaff.
Presently, Trent works as a Chiropractic Assistant at a physical medicine clinic in Flagstaff, Arizona. He finds the utilization of the principles of Aikido to greatly enhance all aspects of his life, and wholeheartedly thanks O-Sensei, Morihei Ueshiba, for the legacy of such a rich art that is determined to teach PEACE throughout the world. Boudreaux Sensei retired from teaching at AOF in 2017.
Sensei George Koch
George Koch Sensei 3rd Dan (Sandan) began his aikido practice in 1977 at Stanford University with Sensei Frank Doran, from whom he received his shodan, nidan, and sandan promotions. For a decade, George trained primarily at Doran Sensei’s Aikido West dojo while enjoying the diverse instruction of other Bay Area aikido teachers.
He feels fortunate to have attended seminars with Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba’s son, Kisshomaru Ueshiba, and primary students including Saotome Sensei, Saito Sensei, Yamada Sensei, Anno Sensei, and Kato Sensei, among others. In the late 80s and early 90s, George taught aikido at UC Davis. Upon moving to Flagstaff in 1994, he joined Sensei Bob Frumhoff and Sensei Trent Boudreaux as instructors at Aikido of Flagstaff and became a member of Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU) under Mitsugi Saotome Sensei.
His major influences in Aikido are ASU Shihan Hiroshi Ikeda Sensei and Saotome Sensei as well as Suginami Aikido Shihan Hiroshi Kato Sensei. Koch Sensei’s legacy at Aikido of Flastaff includes vigorous practice based on aikido principles of connection, timing, and movement. He personified the influence and values of Aikido practice in daily life and maintains close friendships within the Aikido community. Koch Sensei retired from teaching Aikido at AOF in 2019.