Sensei

Dojo Cho - Rokudan (6th Dan)

Sensei has been practising aikido for over 55 years. He first started in the martial arts in judo aged 8 years old later he started karate grading to shodan. It was about this time he first met Bill Coyle sensei at a demonstration Coyle sensei was giving in aikido. After a brief discussion with Coyle sensei he gave up karate. He became a seito ( student ) under the instruction of Coyle sensei in Glasgow at Kokoro e aikido dojo - Hamilton Hill. Becoming soto deshi to Coyle sensei. He was graded to shodan by Noro sensei, then received his nidan and sandan from Chiba sensei. He has trained in the Iwama dojo, Japan under the instruction of Saito shihan and also attended classes at the Hombu dojo, Tokyo. Staying in Japan for 2 years. He attained his yondan under Saito Morihiro sensei . Years later godan from Tamura sensei.

Mann Sensei

Sensei - Yondan (4th Dan)

Mann sensei, started Aikido in 2005 with the Kai Shin Kai under the BAB and in 2006 also took up Aikibujutsu under the International Shinkendo Federation and was awarded his coaching certificate in 2007. Between 2012 and 2015, he took a break from practice. In early 2015 he found Kokoro Kai Iwama Ryu aikido dojo and returned to Aikido. Achieved his shodan in late 2015, his nidan in 2019 and sandan in 2022. Mann sensei is a major member of the dojo. Awarded Shidoin by sensei in 2020.

Sharp Sensei

Shidoin - Sandan (3rd Dan)

My Aikido Journey started in the late 1980’s when I joined the Oxford University Aikido Club under the late Sensei Peter Mann and led by the head of the BAF at that time Minoru Kanetsuka.In 1994 I joined the Bristol University club under one of Kanetsuka Sensei’s senior Shidoin John Czarsnuszewicz.I spent six years at this Dojo and then left for Japan where I joined the Niigata University Aikido Club. I spent three years at this Dojo and during this period I also was introduced to Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido and studied Kendo. I then moved to Osaka and joined the Osaka University Aikido Club (the oldest University Club in Japan where we celebrated its 50 year anniversary). I also trained at a Dojo with Yoshida Shihan the head of the branch of the Osaka Aikikai Organisation.

I moved back to the UK in 2014 and joined the Notting Hill Dojo (London) with Sensei Anthea Pascaris. I also trained Nishio Sensei’s Toho Iai 15 kata with Sensei Jarkko Lapinlampi. I then went full circle and joined my original Dojo in Oxford with Sensei Richard Martin. I also felt privileged at this time as I was Uke for Kanetsuka Sensei on his last visit to the Dojo before he passed.

I moved to Cornwall during the second year of Covid and eventually joined my current Dojo Kokoro-Kai Iwama Ryu.