Mark Kruger is an aikido instructor at Aikido of Eugene and licensed to teach Shinto Ryu Iai Batto Jutsu, a form of traditional Japanese swordsmanship. He is an extremely versatile martial artist with experience in a vast number of martial disciplines ranging from ancient forms to modern tactical systems.
He began his practice of Aikido in 1991 under Gary Barnett at the University of Washington. He moved to Eugene in 2003 and immediately joined Aikido of Eugene and became a student of Chuck Hauk and Daryl Berlie. Sensei Kruger is ranked Aikido 5th Dan by the Aikikai Foundation.
Sensei Kruger also trains in the Japanese sword art of iaido. He began the study of Shinto Ryu Iai Batto Jitsu under Robby Pellet Sensei in 1994 while living in Seattle. After moving to Eugene he added the study of Muso Shinden Ryu to his practice and currently trains in that style under Stephen Thoms Sensei.
He began training in judo in 2001 under Karen Nagai at the University of Washington. He continued his judo training under Steve Nisewander and Alan Best after joining Best Martial Arts Institute in 2003. Sensei Kruger currently holds the rank of shodan (1st degree black belt) in judo.
Additionally, he is a student of Historical European Martial Arts and has studied the art of Armizare since 2007 under Maestro Sean Hayes. He also has limited training in kendo, naginata, and Filipino knife and stick and has taken firearms related classes by InSights Training, 10-8 Group, LMS Defense, Vickers Tactical, Todd Louis Green, and Shivworks.
To broaden the scope of his understanding and help see the fundamental principles behind the martial arts, he regularly attends seminars in other disciplines. He has trained at seminars with Shinichi Koike, Sekiguchi Komei, John Sells, Bram Frank, Hock Hochheim, Tony Wolf, Christian Tobler, Tom Leoni, Dan Harden, Howard Popkin, Rick Hawn, and Akuzawa Minoru.
PacMac Instructor – 2010, 2014, 2016. 2019