TESTIMONIALS:
Dear Skip,
"Your insight into relating the physical aspects of Aikido to deal with the mental aspects of stress and conflict was very insightful and original. Our staff found you to be not only professional and courteous, but playful and engaging as well. You used your extensive knowledge of Aikido to give everyone in the office helpful tips to better deal with stress and interact with each other."
B. Beck- President and CFO -Wealth Management Group of North America-Farmington, CT
Working with the Wealth Management Group of North America in Farmington, CT
Dear Skip,
"Your presentation to realtors in the Boone, North Carolina area was well-prepared, engrossing, fun and informative. The format literally draws one into the material and provides physical and mental images that make the ideas immediate, fresh, and real. The strategies Skip proposes, based on the Aikido principle of blending energies, are practical and useful. They are relevant to the day-to-day work of real estate filled as it is with continual interruptions needing immediate attention, to goal-building and meeting daily objectives, and to the innumerable negotiations-with clients and customers, between clients, with other realtors-that we find ourselves in. I highly recommend Skip's workshop to other realtors."
H. Phillips-Coe Realty Broker/Owner-Boone, NC
Teaching real estate agents how to relax in Boone, North Carolina.
Skip presented a classroom demonstration to a group of Social Work students preparing for their internship (final) semester. Student response to this classroom experience was extremely positive. They expressed a desire for additional classes and found Skip's teaching and demonstration techniques a refreshing and useful adjunct to the more traditional classroom experience. I would have no hesitation in inviting him to any class in the helping professions or in supporting him in developimg a full series of courses in his field of expertise.
C. Gross Ph.D-Associate Professor (retired) Department of Social Work Appalachian State University
Dear Skip,
"I wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed the Aikido based stress management class that I attended, sponsored by the Avery/Watauga Board of Realtors. I was impressed by the exercises in avoiding physical conflict and how they could be used in dealing with non physical conflict. This practice went well with a class I recently taught on Conflict Management."
S. Jones-Watauga District Manger BlueRidge Electric-Boone, NC
Dear Skip,
We all found value and fun in your training. I love that you utilized the Aikido Principals to teach conflict resolution. I have found myself reflecting on your training and thinking about how truly applicable the Aikido Principals are to daily life as well as the work that I do with "at risk youth." You have truly given us a relevant training that will be easy to apply in various settings. I highly recommend this training to anyone who has ever experienced conflict, be it in their work, personal, or volunteer lives. The principals provide a healthy means of dealing with various situations.
A. McMann-WYN's Mentoring Program Director
Dear Skip,
"Your workshop offered incredible insights into handling the client/customer as well as myself in many different scenarios. You presented the workshop from both the wisdom of AIKIDO and the expertise of your many years in teaching stress reduction and conflict management. The interactive involvement of the workshop participants certainly validated the information. The sign of a great workshop is the retention of the key elements of information conveyed by the instructor. In a short time, I have used this information on many occasions to reduce stress and redirect both my focus and the focus of others. I feel that every real estate agent as well as anyone could benefit from this workshop and I look forward to your next workshop in the area of Boone, North Carolina."
A. Gordon-RE/MAX-Agent-Boone, NC
Dear Skip,
“I am sorry that I was unable to participate in the program you presented to our Chapter. I am told that the experience was truly unforgettable. Thank you for your hard work and commitment. Participant reaction was overwhelmingly positive. Attendees felt that the lessons learned were of benefit in both their professional and personal lives.”
J. Moses –Connecticut Chapter of American Society of Training and Development
Dear Skip:
Thank you for teaching an Aikido class to my college level students over the last three years. You have become an integral part of my Peace Psychology course, adding a living illustration of how to handle conflict in a constructive and nonviolent manner through the martial art of Aikido. The class rates all of the speakers at the end of the semester, and consistently, Mr. Rackmill obtains extremely positive ratings.
C. Shaw Austad -Ph.D Professor of Psychology and Clinical Psychologist-Central Connecticut State University
Dear Skip,
"Our members really enjoyed the interactive Realtor Safety demonstration you brought to the Greater Hartford Association of Realtors during National Safety Week. Your lively program was both informative and entertaining, which made for an enjoyable learning experience. Members enjoyed trying out new safety techniques based on the Aikido approach, and also picked up some easy prevention tips for immediate use. This was a well-rounded, informative evening that left our members feeling energized and empowered."
S. Hurlbert-Greater Hartford Association of Realtors
Dear Skip,
"Your workshop on stress management was much needed. I have taken the lessons to heart and am now intentional about staying calm and composed while dealing with the tremendous stress I encounter in owning and running a Real Estate Brokerage firm in Denver. You are a gifted and intuitive teacher able to break through our barriers and get the heart of the issue. I hope to attend more events and continue to tap in to the deep reservoir of your knowledge and skill."
N. Hawley, Hawley Realty-Broker/Owner-Denver, CODear Skip,
"Thank you for the energetic and thought-provoking seminar you provided to my staff at Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine Centers on conflict resolution and stress management. Your interactive and enthusiastic teaching style was refreshing and led to good dialogue among the staff afterwards. The Aikido approach to handling and/or managing stress and daily conflicts was a positive experience for my staff as it can be easily implemented and utilized in their daily lives."
T. Lytle-Director Avon Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine Centers-Avon, CT
Showing how to redirect negative energy. Avon Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine Centers-Avon, CT
"Skip is a dedicated professional who is committed to helping people deal with conflicts in a peaceful manner. His knowledge, sense of humor and presentation skills would enhance your training program.”
E. Platt-Suski Ed.D –School Psychologist, Plymouth Public Schools, CT
"I was very impressed with Skip's presentation. It had demonstrations, showed humor and he told personal stories. The program was very informative. Skip certainly showed a level of expertise and I would definitely recommend him to any group for his presentation."
S. Bourke-realtor Prudential, Simsbury, CT
“I would often utilize the expertise of Skip to teach police officers in the areas of diffusing violent/dangerous situations and conflict resolution. He presented a very comprehensive, easy to understand program that was a great benefit to the police officers.”
W. Hansen - Retired detective/currently Criminal justice professor- Univ. of Hartford, CT
“His presentation was extremely engaging using martial arts techniques to illustrate non-violent approaches to conflict resolution, e.g. demonstrations of the greater efficiency of cooperation over competition in certain situations, demonstrations of the amazing power of positive thought, how to join with the forcefulness of a powerful opponent to reach a desirable goal. The presentations added an aura of excitement to the weekends as well as a refreshing medium for the presentation of some extremely important ideas.”
J. Schloss, Ph.D - Associate Professor of Psychology, Univ. Of Hartford, CT
“He was able to provide a vehicle for conflict resolution within the organization. Skip’s treatment of martial arts is thought provoking and builds confidence. His goal of extending his teaching skills beyond martial arts appealed to me and apparently to my employees with my organization. I highly recommend this seminar as part of any business related human resource development program.
M. Feldman – Former Manager, Aetna Life and Casualty Home Office, Hartford, CT
“Skip is bright, energetic, competent and up to date on programs and deliveries that will be effective in facilitating positive, informative sessions. He provided new ideas for our training sessions and his enthusiasm was infectious. Skip uses the concepts of Aikido, blending this positive message into just about anything your group could be reviewing. I would encourage you to consider taking a fresh new approach and step out of the box. His insight and training knowledge will provide a valuable contribution to your work shop sessions.”
N. Faraco - Guidance Counselor/Peer Advocate Advisor/Trainer, Simsbury Public Schools, CT
“Skip’s presentation of Aikido techniques and his many correlated insights into dealing with stress and conflict was one of the highlights of our week-long teacher training workshop. I highly recommend his presentation to groups seeking a new way of dealing with the everyday problems of stress and conflict in our schools and the work place.
D. La Salle - President of Talcott Mountain Science Center-Avon, CT
“I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you and your assistant for the wonderful job you did at the Natural Peer Helpers Conference. Your energy and enthusiasm helped to make the day a success. Judging from the feedback we received the day of the conference, your workshop had a positive impact on the participants.
J. Cassarino - Youth Planning Director, Family Intervention Center, Waterbury, CT
‘Thank you for the 3 training sessions for the Simsbury Police Department which were entitled Conflict Resolution: Psychological Self Defense. These seminars were well received by members of this department for both their content and presentation. Due to this response, I would recommend this seminar to other departments and I look forward to working with you in the future.
A. Shull-retired Chief of Police-Simsbury, CT
Teaching the power of focused actions.