Dale Nordenberg and Blue Spruell established Dogwood Aikikai in June of 1993 and work closely together at the Dogwood Aikikai to provide the technical and community leadership for Dogwood Aikikia Aikido schools. Both Dale and Blue are Shidoin (certified senior instructors) through the United States Aikido Federation and Hombu Dojo in Japan. Dale is Chief Instructor at the Piedmont Road location and Blue is Chief Instructor at the Georgia Tech location. Dogwood Aikikai instructors and students teach and train at the various locations to help assure overall quality in technique, training, and dojo culture.

    Dale has trained in martial arts for over thirty years, including two years in China. He has trained in Aikido for over twenty years. He holds a 5th degree black belt and is Shidoin. He holds a 4th degree black belt in Iaido. Dale has also trained extensively in Tai Chi Chuan. Dale is a board certified pediatrician and works full time at the Centers for Disease Control. Blue has trained in martial arts for over twenty years, including five years in Japan. He holds a 4th degree black belt in Aikido and is Shidoin. He also holds a 4th degree black belt in Iaido. Blue also holds a 5th degree black belt in Kyudo (Japanese archery). Blue is an attorney in practice in Decatur, Georgia. Our other yudansha are all critical to our efforts to train and teach Aikido in the tradition of Hombu Dojo and our Instructors in the United States Aikido Federation.

*Dan = black belt, e.g. 5th Dan = 5th degree black belt