Ea Murphy has studied aikido since 2000 in both the US and Japan. She started her training at Eugene Aikikai, followed by 10 years at Siskiyou Aikikai. In 2013, she moved to Japan to apprentice with Yoko Okamoto Sensei and Chris Mulligan Sensei of Aikido Kyoto. She founded Tacoma Aikikai in 2016, after returning to the US. She holds the ranks of Godan (5th degree black belt, aikikai) and Shidoin (certified teacher).