Osensei (Morehei Ueshiba) 12/14/1883 - 4/26/1969 After intensive study of various swordfighting and jujutsu styles, Morihei Ueshiba became famous as one of the strongest men of Japan. In 1919, he turned towards the spiritual, pacifistic teachings of the Omoto religion and started to develop the Art of Peace. In 1942, in the midst of the chaos of World War II, O-Sensi named his new martial art Aikido. He moved to the small country town of Iwama, where he continued to practice, teach and refine Aikido until he passed away in 1969. "The Art of Peace does not rely on weapons or brute force to succeed; instead we put ourselves in tune with the universe, maintain peace in our own realms, nuture life, and prevent death and distruction. The true meaning of the term samurai is one who serves and adheres to the power of love." - Morihei Ueshiba   Morihiro Saito Shihan 3/31/1928 - 5/12/2002 9th Dan Aikikai. An Iwama native, Morihiro Saito started training in Aikido in 1946 and became not only a student, but a close confidant of O-Sensei during the following 23 years. After the founder's passing, Morihio Saito was put in charge of the Iwama dojo and became the guardian of the Aiki-shrine. Today, he is also known for his books, his clear and structured way of teaching, and the organization of the huge number of techniques that comprise Iwama-Ryu Aikido. Mark Larson's tribute to Saito Sensei Bill Witt Shihan, 7th dan Tim Sheldon sensei has been quoted describing Witt Shihan as "the man who built the bridge to Iwama."  Bill Witt moved to Japan in 1967 on business, and became interested in aikido.  As the story goes, O-Sensei was the first person he saw when he entered the dojo, and O-sensei invited him to observe a class, if he was interested.  Witt Shihan stayed on and trained for a year and a half, drawn to the teaching of Morihiro Saito who would commute in from the farm in Iwama on Sundays to teach at the Hombu dojo in Tokyo.  Witt Shihan has told us of how in the early days of his training, he was not allowed any partner practices with the advanced students, and was only allowed to practice the 13 and 31 jo kata for two years on his own.  Only after demonstrating his diligence after two years did he receive the teaching of the suburi. Witt Shihan is the leader of the Takemusu Aikido Association which was developed out of the Northern California Aikido Association in 2002.  Shihan now teaches at the Aikido of Silicon Valley dojo. Tim Sheldon sensei, 5th dan Tim Sheldon holds bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Virginia in English and Writing, respectively. He began studying Goju Ryu Karate while taking part in a graduate writing program at San Francisco State University in 1970 and was promoted to black belt in 1974. He began studying Aikido in San Francisco in 1977 and was promoted to black belt in 1984. He also has studied Aikido at the Iwama Dojo in Japan. He now holds the rank of yondan, or fourth-degree black belt, and has been instructing at J.S. Reynolds for the past ten years. He teaches English and Communications online for Bryant and Stratton College. Tim sensei founded and has been the dojo cho of the Bryan Park Aikido Dojo since 1993.  His teaching currently includes credit classes in aikido at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College and Randolp Macon College, as well as weapons and taijutsu at Bryan Park.   Hitohiro Saito Soke  7th dan  Iwama Shin Shin Aiki Shurenkai Tanrenkan Dojo, Iwama, Japan Son and successor of Morihiro Saito sensei. Began aikido training at age seven under his father and Morihei Ueshiba. Appears prominently in Takemusu Aikido technical manual by Morihiro Saito. Since 1986, travels frequently to Europe and the USA conducting seminars.   Since his father's death, Hitohiro Saito sensei has assumed leadership of the Iwama lineage, and has created a new organization. Patricia Hendricks Sensei, 6th dan Hendricks sensei is the cho at Aikido of San Leandro, CA.  She has a globally respected uchideshi program.  In 1975, Pat Hendricks started her Aikido career in Monterey, California.  She studied extensively with Morihiro Saito sensei beginning in 1977, and throughout the 80s and 90s.  Hendricks Sensei holds the highest degree possible in Aiki Ken and Jo Certification (menkyo kaiden). Widely known for her excellent technique and teaching style, Sensei's committment to her students and to aikido as a way of life stands as an excellent example.   She has an excellent selection of very recent seminar videos which are highly recommended.  See www.aikido-sanleandro.com for information. Aviv Goldsmith Sensei, 5th dan Aviv Sensei is the cho at the Aikido in Fredericksburg Dojo, and we are happy to have affiliated with them in the spring of 2008. Aviv Sensei spent many years training and then teaching in Nevada at the Reno Aikido Co-op under Wolfgang Baumgartner, and moved to Virginia to begin teaching in 2002.  He has trained extensively in Japan with Morihiro Saito Shihan.

Lineage