Instructors
Head Instructor: Sensei Derek Bindner
Derek is the core facilitator for the Aikido Network, and Reliance Jiu-jitsu.
He is an entrepreneur, instructor and professional speaker, with over fourteen years experience in the security training industry. Derek is an expert in this unique field, and believes in adding value to the community.
His education extends from the University of Western Ontario in psychology and sociology, to Rainmaker training at Technology Mentors Inc. Mr. Bindner is a certified graphic designer, and worked in the commercial industry for seven years, prior to teaching martial arts. Mr. Bindner started training in Aikido in 1987, and in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu in 1994.
He also draws from his personal life experiences as a door person and as an executive and close protection professional.
Derek also holds police fine screening status.
He is a registered, and certified Instructor with the International Yoshinkan Aikido Federation, holding a third degree black belt. Derek is the founder and head instructor of Modern Jiu-jitsu. As well as holding rank in Tae Kwon Do, Karate, and Seikido, Derek has many years experience in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Ken-jitsu, and wrestling. He has taught hundreds of adults and children how to live more rewarding and confident lives through personal safety and Martial Arts training.
Derek has been a facilitator for organizations such as: The University of Western Ontario, Huron University, Brescia and Fanshawe Colleges, Oakridge, Banting, and Central Secondary Schools, John Dearness, Masonville, and Byron Southwood elementary schools, the London Public Library, Cartier Partners Financial Group, CultureWorks Inc., London Protection International, and Event Security Investigation Specialists.
Derek has appeared as a guest on the New P.L.'s morning television program "New Day" many times. As well as on Roger's cable 13's programs, "First Local" and "Daytime". He has also been the featured cover story in Energy magazine online in the fall issue of 2003, and in the printed version in the winter of 2003 entitled, "Aikido - the Spiritual Martial Art". Derek was chosen by Energy Magazine to represent Canada, in the martial arts category, at the Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic, in Columbus Ohio, in 2003. Sensei Bindner has been a featured speaker on XFM's news radio program entitled "I'm a Survivor" in November 2005, and in January 2008, as a local authority on environmental awareness and self-protection.
Black Belt Instructors
 Teresa MacDonald | Sempai Teresa (B.A, U.W.O.) successfully completed a Women’s Self-Defense course from the Aikido Network in 2001. This achievement provided the motivation to begin training in Yoshinkan Aikido. In 2005, Teresa received her Black Belt in Aikido. She teaches adults and children at the Aikido Network and continues to train in Aikido and Jiu-Jitsu.
Her hobbies include origami (Japanese paper-folding), reading, and fitness walks. |
 Joe Svilpa |
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Jaime Pereira
Brown Belt Instructors
 | Matt has been studying Aikido under Sensei Bindner since 2001. He enjoys helping with the kids' Aikido classes on Wednesday nights. Matt holds an honours degree in Kinesiology, works as a Critical Care Flight Paramedic, and teaches in the paramedic program at Fanshawe College. His hobbies include mountain biking, sailing, and playing drums. |
Green Belt Instructors
 | Paul has been studying Aikido under Sensei Bindner since 2005. Paul enjoys helping out in the kids Aikido class. Paul followed his daughter Emma into Aikido after she started it in 2004. Paul owns and operates an Internet development, marketing and consulting company called Internet Experts Group. Hobbies include guitar, song writing and sports kite flying. |
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Jiu-jitsu Instructors
 Cameron Foster |
Cameron comes from a long history of athletics. He played hockey
through his childhood until high-school where he developed an interest
in Rugby. He competed for 10 years playing high caliber men’s rugby,
winning 2 championships with Stratford and 1 with Oakville.
Cameron started training at Reliance in January 2006 and competed in 2 tournaments that summer in the Novice 185 lb division. He won Gold at the Bravado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Open and won Silver at the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame Submission Grappling tournament. “Reliance Jiu-Jitsu provides the best, mind and body workout, and has a fun and safe environment. I’m happy to have the opportunity to pass along what I’ve learned, to others” Cameron’s other interests include: Skiing, Sailing, Scuba Diving, Mountain Biking and Camping. |
Office Administrator
 MaryAnn Kennard |