Jaimie Sheppard CD BA.

Dojocho (head instructor), 7th Dan Shihan, Aiki Budo Centre (London)

He graded twice before Saikokomon Kiyoyuki Terada (10th Dan). Jaimie’s AYF certification authorizes him to award up to 5th Dan and Instructor certificates registered in Japan. He was awarded the Canada Decoration Medal while an officer in the Canadian Armed Forces. He has trained in Japan, Europe and across Canada with Terada Hanshi and senior Seiseikai instructors. He has engaged in rigorous training in Kamakura at the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine built in 1180. This shrine dedicated to the Samurai and the Minamoto family, is the predominant of the 80,000 Shinto shrines in Japan. Misogi, and ritual ceremonies dedicated to aikido in the inner shrine was part of the training.

Qualifications:

• Certified as a senior Hojuitsu Instructor.
• Use of Force and Defensive Tactics Instructor, Certified by the Province of Ontario, (involved in training over 2,000 police officers).
• Trained in Aikido under the guidance of Amos Parker Shihan (9th Dan) Houston Texas until his passing.
• Currently training in Aikido under the guidance of Matsuo Masazumi Sensei and has affirmed Aiki Budo Centre as an affiliate of Seiseikai Japan.
• Ranking in Judo and Seikido (Tae Kwon Do).
• Certificates of Instruction from the Canadian Police College (RCMP)
• Certificates from Chudokan Aikido Federation
• Experience providing personal protection for numerous VIPs including: His Holiness the Pope, members of the British Royal family, public figures and foreign dignitaries.
• Experience managing large crowds (in a public order capacity) and experience as a supervisor in a Riot Squad deployed in Ottawa and elsewhere (G8, Presidential visits, etc…)
• Has studied and completed the Abhisheka at the Ishiyamadera in Kyoto (also built by Yoritomo Minamoto) and Jukai at Mount Koya.
• Fifteen years experience teaching aikido, including 2 1/2 years at a Police College.

Stephen Chau

Sensei (senior instructor), Go Dan, Aiki Budo Centre (London)

Awarded his present rank having graded under Sensei Matsuo Masazumi Shihan (8th Dan) in July 2012, Steve started studying Aikido in 1976 under Kimeda Sensei (9th Dan). Steve has also studied and taught Kung Fu. Certified as an AYF instructor in Japan, he is responsible for the design and operation of the children’s Aikido program. Steve has 4 children practicing the art and is an ultra sound technologist.

He has trained in Japan under several leading instructors. These include training in dojos located in Tokyo (Honbu Dojo), in Kyoto and in Yokohama. He has engaged in rigorous training in Kamakura at the Tsurugoaka Shrine, participating in Misogi and other ceremonies dedicated to intense Aikido training. He has studied Shakyo at the Daishi Kyokai on Mount Koya and has stayed in several traditional monasteries as well as in the shrine in Kamakura during his studies.

Greg Gruninger

Sensei (senior instructor), Go Dan, Aiki Budo Centre (London)

A former combat arms member of the Canadian Armed Forces, Greg has been studying Aikido since 1994. He was awarded his present rank grading under Sensei Matsuo Masazumi Shihan, in July 2012.

Greg’s dan and International Yoshinkan Aikido Federation teaching certificates are registered in Japan. Greg is in charge of the City of London’s Spectrum Aikido program and he teaches all introductory programs. Greg leads a team of software testers in the private sector.

He has trained in Japan under several leading instructors. These include training in dojos located in Tokyo (Honbu Dojo), in Kyoto and in Yokohama. He has engaged in rigorous training in Kamakura at the Tsurugoaka Shrine, participating in Misogi and other ceremonies dedicated to intense Aikido training. He has studied Shakyo at the Daishi Kyokai on Mount Koya and has stayed in several traditional monasteries as well as in the shrine in Kamakura during his studies.

Jon Oaker

Sensei (instructor), Go Dan, Aiki Budo Centre (London)

Having trained in Aikido since 1996, Jon currently holds the rank of 5th dan. In addition to his practicing and teaching he is a graphic artist/cartoonist whose work includes the critically acclaimed collaboration, with Kevin Love, ‘Aiki-Doh!-Ka: An Aikido Lexicon‘ (he and Kevin went out for drinks after class one evening and critiqued it).

Hiro Ishihara

Sensei (instructor), Go Dan, Aiki Budo Centre
Dojocho to Aiki Budo Centre Ingersoll

Ishihara Sensei began his training in Aikido in 2001 under Sheppard Sensei Shihan. His Dan and teaching certificates are registered with the AYF in Tokyo Japan and allow him to award certificates recognized around the world. Having also trained in Judo, Kendo and Karate Do, Ishihara Sensei has in depth experience in Japanese Budo. He has also studied some Chinese martial arts as well. He founded Aiki Budo Centre Ingersoll and started teaching in 2005.

Joe Sebastiao

Sensei (instructor), Yon Dan, Aiki Budo Centre, Aiki Budo Ingersoll and Western Aikido Club

Joe began his training in Aikido in 2000 under Sheppard Sensei Shihan. His Dan and teaching certificates are registered with the AYF in Tokyo Japan and allow him to award certificates recognized around the world. Joe is involved as a security and safety supervisor for a large manufacturer in the private sector.

Therese Pickersgill Chow

Sensei (instructor), Yon Dan, Aiki Budo Centre (London)

Therese Chow began training in Yoshinkan Aikido in 1996 at the Aiki Budo Centre under the instruction of Jaimie Sheppard Sensei (6th dan) and Ashley Hennessy Sensei (6th dan). In 2003, she moved to Yokohama, Japan to train under Matsuo Masazumi Shihan (8th dan) and Matsuo Chizuko Shihan (7th dan), where she graded twice and now holds the rank of 4th dan. During her stay, she was an assistant instructor at the Seiseikai Azamino and Seiseikai Yokohama dojos. Her 4th dan and instructor certificates are registered at the Hombu Dojo in Tokyo, Japan and allow her to grade up to 2nd dan. She has attended many intensive training seminars by highly ranked Japanese and North American instructors including Saikokomon Terada, Mustard Sensei, Ando Sensei, Inoue Kyuu Kanchou, and Shioda Kanchou. Since returning to Canada in 2008, she has been training under the guidance of Sensei Sheppard and is an instructor at the Aiki Budo Centre.

Matthew Knight

Sensei (instructor), Go Dan, Aiki Budo Centre (London)

Matthew began his training in Yoshinkan Aikido in 2002 under Sheppard Sensei 7th Dan. His Dan and teaching certificates are registered with the AYF in Tokyo Japan and allow him to award certificates recognized around the world. He has studied Kaze Arashi Ryu Kenjutsu along side our Aikido weapons program in which he is an avid participant. Matthew has visited and stayed in Japan as recently as 2010 in his quest to study Japanese philosophy and culture.

Matthew is the webmaster/designer of this website and with his experience in photography has supplied many of our gallery’s photos.

He is also our dojo’s bokken maker. Every bokken is individually hand crafted of the finest seasoned exotic and domestic woods, and are precisely balanced. If you are interested in acquiring a bokken please visit the online store or speak to him in person before or after class.

Christine Earl

Sensei (instructor), Yon Dan, Aiki Budo Centre (London)

Studying Aikido since 1990, Christine is a registered AYF instructor. Her Dan and teaching certificates are registered with the AYF in Tokyo Japan and allow her to award certificates recognized around the world. She has studied Jiu Jitsu and Kaze Arashi Ryu Kenjutsu and is one of the founding members of the study of Aikido in London.

Kevin Love

Sensei (instructor), Yon Dan, Aiki Budo Centre (London) and Western Aikido Club

Classical Guitarist by day and aikidoka by night, Kevin began his aikido training in 1994 with Chuck Bates Sensei and Slavko Ilic Sensei and continued with Ashley Hennesy Sensei and Jaimie Sheppard Sensei. After a break of some years, he resumed his training with Jaimie Sheppard Sensei in 2005 and has trained continuously at the Aiki Budo Cenre since that time. He currently holds the rank of Yon Dan and is responsible for the Weapons Program and testing syllabus, and is the current Dojo Cho for the Western Aikido Club. Although serious and passionate about his teaching and training, he is also quick to laugh, especially at himself, as evinced by his collaboration with Jon Oaker Sensei to produce the book “Aiki-Doh!-Ka: An Aikido Lexicon“.