DWMA Instructor Bio’s

AIKIDO
James Sterling Sensei began his study of Aikido in 1992 under the teaching of Steven Williams Sensei (Yondan)
in Phoenix Arizona. He is a Sandan with the Aikido World Headquarters in Japan through Aikido Schools of Ueshiba
(ASU), headed by Mitsugi Saotome Shihan and Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan.
Sterling Sensei began his study in the Martial Arts at the age of 13 in Judo and Ju jitsu. He later entered service in
the U.S. Army 10th Mountain Division, 2-14 (LI). After discharge from service Sterling Sensei began his study of Aikido
and joined The Alliance of Guardian Angels, Chapter 29 in Phoenix, Arizona. There he led the chapter, and trained the
members in Aikido. In 1994 Sterling Sensei, under Bill Elderts Sensei (Sandan), opened the Hei Ki (Universal Energy)
Aikido Club in Victorville, California.
After returning to Arizona and Desert Wind Aikido, he joined the State of Arizona Department of Juvenile
Corrections, graduating in the top of his class, and later Department of Corrections, again graduating in the top of his
class, where he became a TSU (Tactical Support Unit) team member. In 2000 Sterling Sensei relocated to Las Vegas,
Nevada with the State of Nevada Department of Prisons, and in April of 2001 opened Desert Wind Aikido Las Vegas.
Sterling Sensei has worked with state, and federally contracted agencies, as well as security in the nightclub and
casino industries, being assigned to special details and personal escort to high profile figures such as General Norman
Schwarzkopf, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, Ben Afflek and Jennifer Lopez. He has conducted many charitable classes for
organizations such as Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Southern Nevada, Nevada Children's Center, Clark County Parks &
Recreation Rec Trek program, and has also conducted self-defense and awareness classes for local government
agencies, and private organizations both in Arizona and Nevada.
Sterling Sensei has been employed as a Police Officer with the Department Of Defense Force Protection Unit and
has conducted Defensive Tactics classes for DOD Officers and U.S. Navy Training Cadre, FTO's, Border Patrol and US
Customs agents.
In 2006 Sterling Sensei conducted personal protection missions as a PSD (Personal Security Detail) Operator in
Iraq for high ranking U.S. military personnel, as well as civilian personnel key to the building of the Iraq infrastructure, and
presently a volunteer to conduct defensive tactics training for the Las Vegas Chapter of the Guardian Angels upon their
request.
In addition, Sterling Sensei is owner/chief instructor of Responsible Firearm Owners in Las Vegas, Nevada, and a
Certified NRA Firearms Instructor developing curriculums, conducting classes/workshops, hosting seminars and guest
instructors, and remains active in the personal protection industry.

IAIDO
Robert Corella Sensei began his study in the martial arts in 1961 and presently holds the rank of Yondan in Judo
and Yondan in Araki Ryu Iaido. Corella Sensei began studying Iaido in Himeji Japan in 1983 and over his years of training
has traveled to Japan dozens of times to study Judo and Iaido.
While in Japan Corella Sensei learned to repair various parts of the Japanese sword, to include making
scabbards, lacquering and wrapping handles. Corella Sensei is a collector of Japanese swords, antiques and artifacts
dating back 800 years, and is considered one of the west coasts foremost authorities on the Japanese sword,
swordsmanship, artifacts and antiquities.
Corella Sensei holds a B.A. in Education and a Masters in Education Leadership, as well as minored in Japanese
language. In addition, he obtained an Asian Studies Certificate from the Arizona State University and he has been the
president of the Japan-American Society in Arizona for many years. Corella Sensei is active in many local and national
Japanese organizations and introduced Iaido to the state of Arizona in 1985. In cooperation with DWMA, Corella Sensei
brings his knowledge in the art of Araki Ryu Iaido to Las Vegas, Nevada.

Edsel Sanchez Sempai began his study of the martial arts in 2001. He is a Shodan with the Aikido World
Headquarters in Japan through Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU), headed by Mitsugi Saotome Shihan and Hiroshi Ikeda
Shihan, and Ikkyu in Araki Ryu Iaido with the Meirin Kai Association of Himeji, Japan under Toyoda Osamu Soke.
Sempai Sanchez leads the Iaido group in the absence of Corella Sensei, at DWMA, and travels frequently to
Phoenix, Arizona to study directly under Corella Sensei.
With the University of Nevada Las Vegas, Sempai Sanchez holds a B.S. in Special Education and is currently
studying for his Masters. He is a full time teacher with the Clark County School District assigned to troubled and less
fortunate children with behavioral issues.
Sempai Sanchez continues to study Aikido full time, and assists instructing classes at DWMA.