In January of 1979, Audrey Lyn Nelson began her study of Aikido at Wasachi Aikido Institute.
After diligent study, which includes an 18 month leave of absence to serve a mission for the LDS church, she progressed and became her instructors first black belt in November of 1983. Upon receipt of her shodan her Sensei presented her with her Aikido name, Washi Asa Hoshi. In 1985 she received her Nidan and in 1993 she received her Sandan. From 1983 to 1991 she served as senior instructor at Wasachi Aikido.

In September of 1991 she founded Ahsa Aikido. In 2001 she received a Master of Education from Utah State University. In 2002 she received a Master of Mental Health Counseling from the University of Phoenix. She is currently licensed by the State of Utah as a Licenced Professional Counselor, LPC. In 2002 she founded Circles of Life Center, a holistic company that teaches Aikido principles to the educational, mental health, and psychological communities. In 2005 she received her Yondan.

Since 1983, Sensei Nelson has studied a variety of Shamanic and healing traditions. These incude Reiki Matership, Avar, Huna, Native American and others. She has integrated these training into a system called MaAi wisdom.