Instructors

Long-time students who now teach the art they've practiced for decades

Dave Marlow Sensei

Chief Instructor, Godan (5th degree black belt)

Dave Marlow is the Chief Instructor at his dojo, practicing Aikido since 1994 and currently holding the rank of Godan (5th Degree black belt). His martial arts journey began with Shotokan Karate and Muay Thai, which laid the foundation for his versatile and practical approach to Aikido. As an instructor, he teaches Aikido as a method of self-protection, seamlessly blending movement and fitness with purpose. His style incorporates a moderate yet aggressive fighting approach, emphasizing the rugged practicality of the art.

In addition to his contributions to martial arts, Dave Marlow retired from the Colorado State Patrol after a fulfilling 30-year career. He served as a field Trooper for 15 years before transferring to Aircraft operations for the final 15 years of his tenure. Following his time in law enforcement, he worked as a Commercial Pilot for 15 years. Now, he devotes his energy to his diverse hobbies, which include ranching, caring for mules, archery and shooting, hiking, camping, and beekeeping. Aikido remains a vital part of his life, as he continues to embrace and share its philosophy with his students through adaptable and straightforward teaching methods.

Geoff Goodman

Assistant Instructor, Sandan (3rd degree black belt)

Geoff has been a dedicated practitioner of Aikido with RMA since 1985. He firmly believes that the core of aikido lies in mastering the ability to control violent situations and utilizing appropriate techniques to minimize unnecessary harm to everyone involved.

Geoff retired after a distinguished career as an intelligence officer with the U.S. Air Force and the Department of Homeland Security. His journey into Japanese martial arts began while stationed in Japan with the U.S. Air Force. It was during this time that he first experienced sushi, which remains his favorite delicacy to this day.

Associate instructors

Our associate instructors are black belts who have trained with Rocky Mountain Aikikai for many years.

David Thompson

Nidan (2nd degree black belt)

With over 21 years of martial arts experience, David Thompson brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Rocky Mountain Aikikai. He has dedicated 17 years to practicing Aikido, along with 3 years of Isshinryu Karate and 1 year of Tae Kwon Do.

David's notable instructors include Dave Marlow, Geoff Goodman, Dan Mosley, Mike Victorov, and John Vertevec. Each of these senseis has imparted their unique styles and perspectives, enriching David's understanding of martial arts. He also acknowledges Rich Behr's grit, determination, and pivotal instruction during his formative years in Aikido, as well as his first Karate instructor, Bryce Winder. Bryce's philosophy of teaching with joy and intention inspired David to continue his martial arts journey, and he later found that same joy and intention at Rocky Mountain Aikikai. Bryce is, in many ways, a Maori version of Marlow Sensei.

David's approach to instruction is focused on making the learning experience fun while emphasizing the basics. Although it may not be romantic or high-flying, his primary goal is to ensure that newer Aikidoka are having fun, feel acknowledged and seen, and to instill the martial aspects of self-defense to the best of his abilities.

Scott Scribner

Nidan (2nd degree black belt)

Scott Scribner, Nidan, has dedicated 13 years to RMA. His natural strengths in Aikido lie not in flexibility, but in his commanding, fast-paced style that is both harsh and remarkably unpredictable. With a technique nearing perfection, Scott seamlessly integrates adaptability and muscle memory into his teaching methods, ensuring consideration for physical limitations.

Beyond the dojo, Scott is a passionate carpenter and motorsport enthusiast who embraces life to its fullest in every aspect. His energy and enthusiasm are as boundless as his dedication to the art of Aikido.

Nathan Reimus

Nidan (2nd degree black belt)

Nathan joined RMA in the fall of 2015, having relocated to Colorado from Syracuse, New York. With a background in various martial arts disciplines such as Jujitsu, Karate, and Tae Kwon Do since his college years, Nathan’s martial arts journey has been diverse and enriching.

He was first introduced to Aikido during his graduate studies at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, in 2010 and has passionately pursued it ever since. In April 2019, he earned the rank of Shodan, followed by his promotion to Nidan in November 2022.

Nathan's philosophy on martial arts and learning is deeply influenced by his experiences moving across the country for work and school, which required him to start anew several times. His approach can be summed up with two key principles:

"Empty your cup": There is always more to learn, regardless of how much you think you know.
"Everyone starts as a white belt": Even the most advanced students once faced the challenges of their first class.

Professionally, Nathan is a mechanical engineer at Lockheed Martin, where he designs spacecraft electronics. In his free time, he enjoys skiing, running, biking, playing video games, cooking, and reading Sci-Fi/Fantasy books.

Cheryl Teague

Shodan (1st degree black belt)

Cheryl's journey in Aikido has been one of reflection and continuous growth. She was first introduced to the art in college, briefly practicing under Linda Vecchio Sensei with the Lakeland Aikido Club. It was a memorable experience that left a lasting impression for over 20 years. In 2016, Scott Scribner encouraged her to join Rocky Mountain Aikikai, where she began training under Dave Marlow Sensei and earned the rank of Shodan in 2022.

For Cheryl, Aikido is more than just a practice; it is a path of introspection and learning. "Each achievement has come with a humbling realization, so I practice and teach from this mindset. I focus on simplicity and methods that have helped me better understand techniques along the way."

She has always admired O'Sensei's philosophy of peace, which emphasizes the importance of healing ourselves in order to bring kindness and joy into our practice and relationships. She believes Aikido serves as a constant catalyst for introspection, offering opportunities to build a healthy body-mind connection, quiet the ego, foster confidence, and refine how we interact with others.

Alex Covacs

Shodan (1st degree black belt)