Chief Instructor: Philip Traunstein

Philip Traunstein currently holds the rank of Godan5th degree black belt, ShidoinInstructor from Birankai International under the direction of T.K. Chiba, ShihanMaster teacher.

Traunstein SenseiTeacher; anyone who gives guidance along the way; literally "born before" began his training AikidoThe word "Aikido" is made up of three japanese characters: ai - harmony, ki - spirit, mind, or universal energy, do - the way. Thus Aikido is "the way of harmony with universal energy." in 1979 under Sensei's Paul Sylvain 6th Dan (1951-1996) & Lorraine DiAnne 6th Dan at Amherst Aikikai. In 1986 Traunstein Sensei moved to California and continued his training at Berkeley Aikikai under DiAnne Sensei. He was a founding member of Aikido of Springfield 1988 ­ 1997.

Traunstein Sensei was awarded Fukushidion (certified teacher) by T.K. Chiba, Shihan, while teaching under the guidence of Lorraine DiAnne Sensei at Aikido of Springfield in 1993 . Red Sun Aikido opened its doors with Traunstein Sensei as the schools chief instructor in August of 1997 . Traunstein Sensei was awarded 5th Dan (5th degree black belt) in January 2004 & in February of 2001 he was awarded Shidoin (certified senior teacher) by the then United States Aikido Federation Western Region Teaching Committee. The dojosPlace of the way; a place for strengthening and refinement body, mind and spirit; training hall of United States Aikido Federation Western Region dissolved their affilliation with the USAF in 2006 and remaining part of the Birankai International under the guidence and direction of T.K. Chiba, Shihan.

Traunstein Sensei also holds a 2nd Dan in Muso Shinden Ryu IaidoThe art of drawing the japanese sword, the Art of the Japanese sword.