About Us

The founding instructor of Mountain Wind Dojo, Max Roach Sensei, has trained in Japanese martial arts since 1990. He is directly affiliated with the orthodox headmasters of:  

• Iaido, Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu (Seitokai, Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu) 

• Aikido Aikikai (World Aikido Headquarters Hombu Dojo).  

Students of the Mountain Wind Dojo Group have the opportunity to study Muso Jikiden Eishin-Ryu Iaido, Aikido – The Way of Harmony, and Wado-Ryu Karatedo (at the Tennessee location).

We train regularly and welcome visitors at our four locations:

• Bettendorf /Davenport, Iowa (led by C. Max Roach Sensei)

• Sewanee, Tennessee (led by John Michael Hurt Sensei)

• Salt Lake City, Utah (led by Peter Choles Sensei)

• Ephriam, Utah (led by Stephen Zollinger Sensei)

Practicing iaido and aikido is tremendously rewarding.  Practice develops physical strength, improves balance, and cultivates community.  More importantly, these arts are vehicles for self-discovery.  Long-term practitioners credit iaido and aikido with profound internal realizations and healthier perspectives.  Roach Sensei feels strongly that our instructors' obligation is to preserve the cultural, historical, and sociological traditions. Roach Sensei and his students are honored to promote and preserve these unique and distinctively Japanese arts.

We welcome anyone who is committed to learning and preserving the traditional arts of Iaido and Aikido.