Instructor
Lee Darke, Shodan
Lee began training in 2001. Over the years Lee has trained with Fred Haynes Shihan, 7th Dan, and Jim Stewart Shihan, 7th Dan, various visiting instructors from Japan as well as other black belts ranging from 1st to 4th Dan. Lee is the founder of Grand River Aikido and is registed with the YAF (Yoshinkan Aikido Federation) as an instructor. Ranks awarded by Lee are recognized internationally by the YAF.
Technical Advisers
Grand River Aikido enjoys the guidance of two 7th Dans that have been instrumental in the development of all the instructors at our Dojo.
Shihan Fred Haynes (PH.D.), 7th Dan Yoshinkan Aikido
Shihan Fred Haynes, 7th Dan has trained for over 30 years in Aikido and was a direct student for 6 years of the late Gozo Shioda Sensei. Living in Japan, Fred completed the one year, full time professional instructors course, taught to select members of the Tokyo riot police and uchi deshi. First prize winner (with Alister Thomson) of the 1989 All Japan Yoshinkan Aikido Demonstration. One of the founding instructors at the very successful Georgetown Aikido club in Ontario for 14 years, Fred moved to Vancouver Island in 2003.
Shihan Jim Stewart, 7th Dan Yoshinkan Aikido
Shihan Jim Stewart, 7th dan, Yoshinkan Aikido, commenced training in 1973 with Takeshi Kimeda and Mitsugoro Karasawa in Toronto, Canada. He has also trained in Japan (1976, 1997, 2005 and 2006). He co-founded Seidokan, Georgetown, Canada in 1990 together with Fred Haynes, Alister Thomson, and Gordon Blanking. Now, as head instructor at the Seidokan, Jim continues to travel and teach aikido throughout Canada and the United States. Jim’s personal practice of Aikido uses balance, inner awareness and spirituality as it relates to challenges in everyday life. His sensitivity and awareness of creativity in both its inner and outer forms, have influenced and developed his unique and peaceful approach to both art and aikido.
Guest Instructors
From time to time, Instructors from other dojo will visit Grand River Aikido. During these times we hold special classes called a Kenshu ( ken shoe). These classes are usually focused on a theme and held on a special date to be announced.
Please note that all Grand River Aikido instructors are volunteers.