AIKIDO
School of Self Defense
3281 Salem Road
Covington, GA 30016

Instructors

 

Sensei Michael A. Stabile - San-Dan

Sensei Michael A. Stabile is the Head Instructor at the Aikido School of Self Defense in Conyers, Georgia and ranked a San-Dan (Third Degree Black Belt) in Nihon Goshin Aikido. He opened the Dojo in December of 1997. His goal is to spread the teaching of Nihon Goshin Aikido under the direct supervision of Sensei Robert B. MacEwen, Jr. and Shihan Richard A. Bowe.

Sensei Stabile grew up in The Bronx, New York where he had more then his share of fights. He lived there for over thirty years. It is this time in The Bronx that has taught him what works and does not work in the street. When Sensei Stabile moved to upstate New York for a job, he met Sensei Robert B. MacEwen Jr. and started on the path of Nihon Goshin Aikido. Ever since the first day Sensei Stabile stepped on the mat at the Middletown Dojo his loyalty has been to first his Sensei and second to the art.

Sensei Stabile has written a book called “Escape With Your Life”. He has been on many television networks both local and around the world such as CNN, CBS and the list goes on. Sensei Stabile has trained National, State and Local Law Enforcement and Security Personnel all over the east coast.

Sensei Stabile opened the Conyers, Georgia Dojo with three main rules that he lives by Honor, Loyalty and Respect. Without these three things there can be no true Martial Art.

Sensei Ginger Stabile - San-Dan

Sensei Ginger Stabile is currently the Assistant Head Instructor at the Aikido School of Self Defense.  She is ranked a San-Dan (Third Degree Black Belt) in the art of Nihon Goshin Aikido. She helped her husband open the Dojo in 1997 after they moved to Georgia from Upstate New York. Sensei Ginger also teaches and trains under the direct supervision of Sensei Robert B. MacEwen, Jr. and Shihan Richard A. Bowe.

Sensei Ginger enjoys teaching children as well as adults. She also enjoys doing demonstrations, seminars and anything to spread the teaching of Nihon Goshin Aikido. One of the greatest pleasures she gets from aikido is that she gets to do this with her husband, Sensei Michael A. Stabile and her daughter, D. J. Stabile.

Sensei Steven Williams -  Ni-Dan

Sensei Steven Q. Williams began training in Nihon Goshin Aikido under Sensei Michael Stabile and Sensei Ginger Stabile in January 2001. His goal when joining the Conyers, GA dojo was to learn a martial art that he could use in his every day life and a martial art he would feel proud to pass on to others.

Sensei Williams earned his Sho-Dan (First Degree Black Belt) in November of 2005 and his Ni-Dan in July of 2010. He plans to continue helping other members of the dojo reach their goal and hopes to open a dojo of his own one day. Sensei Williams would like to thank Sensei Michael Stabile, Sensei Ginger Stabile and all the members of the Conyers and Covington Dojos for helping him reach the rank of Ni-Dan.

Sensei David Gibson - Ni-Dan

Sensei David R. Gibson began his training in Nihon Goshin Aikido under Sensei Michael A. Stabile and Sensei Ginger Stabile in March 2000. He earned his Sho-Dan (First Degree Black Belt) in July 2006. Sensei Gibson’s main focus is on the biomechanics of Aikido techniques and the aikido philosophy of the interrelations between life and nature.

"There are many things I have learned in Aikido which I strive to use in everyday life. Aikido is not rigid, and so an Aikidokai must not be. Aikido is flexible, Aikido is change, Aikido is adapting. A true Aikidokai must be able to make this a part of their being, not just their technique. Technique is but a part of the true Aikido Circle. Following and redirecting the flow of energy, being like water, being like the moon on the water, are all examples of Aikido’s universal birth from nature."

Sensei Gibson enjoys teaching and training and looks forward to sharing it with others who join our Aikido family.

"Confusion Finds Clarity in Pain" Sensei David R. Gibson.

Sensei Joel Wheelus - Sho-Dan

Sensei Joel Wheelus has been in the martial arts for many years. He has trained in fencing, Kung-Fu, and Tang-su-do. Sensei Wheelus started his Nihon Goshin Aikido training under Sensei Michael Stabile and Sensei Ginger Stabile in 2001 and earned his Sho-Dan (First Degree Black Belt) in September, 2007 at the age of 47, demonstrating that you are never too old to learn Aikido.

Sensei Wheelus looks forward to bringing his knowledge and skill level to all the students of the Aikido School of Self Defense, passing on the art to all that train in the dojo.

Sensei D. J. Stabile - Sho-Dan

Sensei D. J. Stabile started her training in Nihon Goshin Aikido when she was 3 ½ years old in July, 1998 under Sensei Michael A. Stabile and Sensei Ginger Stabile. She has trained 2 to 5 days a week since she started training. She has over 6 years teaching junior students in the dojo and now will start teaching adults. She has trained in Sensei Robert B. MacEwen, Jr. Seminars twice a year for 9 years and has participated in numerous demonstrations.

D. J. Stabile’s Black Belt line was done in front of Sensei Robert B. MacEwen, Jr. during the March 2008 Seminar at the age of 13. She was the first student to hold the rank of Kohai Sho-Dan in the Conyers Dojo. We look forward to her teaching for many years and one day taking over the day to day running of the Dojo.

She brings a very different style of teaching to the Dojo and Nihon Goshin Aikido. It is an honor to have a young spirit teaching and with all her energy, we can only hope that the older students will be able to keep up with her.

Sensei Colton Zierl - Sho-Dan

Sensei Colton Zierl has been training in Nihon Goshin Aikido under Sensei Michael A. Stabile and Sensei Ginger Stabile since 2001. He started as a junior white belt and worked his way thru the ranks of the Dojo. He earned the rank of Sho-Dan (First Degree Black Belt) in December 2009.

His abilities show in every class as he has been to almost every seminar with Sensei Robert B. MacEwen, Jr. He is able to relate well with the juniors because he has gone through the system. Sensei Zierl brings to the Dojo a younger view to the Dojo which enlightens every one.

Sensei Randall - Sho-Dan

Sensei Andrew Randall began his journey in the art of Nihon Goshin Aikido under Sensei Michael Stabile and Sensei Ginger Stabile in August of 2004. His objective was quite simple, enjoy learning a dynamic self defense art from while challenging and enhancing the mind and body.

Sensei Randall achieved the rank of Sho-Dan (First Degree Black Belt) in December 2010 and still thrives on sharpening his skills. He has a Doctorate in physical therapy, which supplements the teachings of kinesthetic and musculoskeletal movement for the Aikido practitioner.

Sensei Randall would like to thank past and present Dan and Kyu students for their valuable commodity called "time". A seed that is planted cannot be nurtured just by itself.

Sensei Jamie Sills - Sho-Dan

Sensei Jamie Sills began her training in Nihon Goshin Aikido under Sensei Michael A. Stabile and Sensei Ginger Stabile in July 2005. She earned her Sho-Dan (First Degree Black Belt) in April 2011.

Sensei Sills Always wanted to train in the Martial Arts and believes that learning Aikido transcends physical boundries and can have a very positive influence on all aspects of our being. “Martial arts are for self-defense, but more importantly, for spiritual growth.” Sensei Sills enjoys teaching very much and hopes to see more women joining the dojo. She looks forward to helping others on their journey.

Sensei Bob Morrison - Sho-Dan

Sensei Bob Morrison is a Sho-Dan (First Degree Black Belt) in the Nihon Goshin Aikido Association. He trains directly under Sensei Michael A. Stabile and Sensei Ginger Stabile.

Sensei Morrison became a student of Aikido in 1999 after learning of the art and its value as a highly practical form of self defense.

He enjoys teaching others and watching their confidence and skill levels grow as they learn to master and art, which conditions both the mind and the body.

As an attorney, Sensei Morrison also serves as legal counsel to the dojo.

Sensei Jeff Schnier - Sho-Dan

Sensei Jeff Schnier started his training in Nihon Goshin aikido in March of 2000 under the direction of Sensei Michael A. Stabile and Sensei Ginger Stabile. Sensei Schnier has trained in many of Sensei Robert B. MacEwen’s seminars.

Sensei Schnier’s loyalty and dedication not only in the dojo, but to the Art go without question. He earned his Sho-Dan (First Degree Black Belt) in August of 2006.

He plans to continue his training and teaching so he can help others obtain their goals in Nihon Goshin Aikido.