He graded twice before Saikokomon Kiyoyuki Terada (10th Dan). Jaimie's AYF certification authorizes him to award 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).
• Trains in aikido under the guidance of Amos Parker Shihan (9th Dan) Houston Texas.
• 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.

Awarded his present rank having graded under Sensei Matsuo (8th Dan) in August 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.

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 Amos Parker Shihan, in October. 2007.

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.

Studying Aikido since 1990, Christine is a registered AYF instructor. She has studied Kaze Arashi Ryu Kenjutsu and is one of the founding members of the study of aikido in London. She is responsible for weapons instruction and weapon programs at the Aiki Budo Centre.

Having trained in Aikido since 1996, Jon currently holds the rank of 4th 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).

Therese Pickersgill 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 4rd dan. During her stay, she was an assistant instructor at the Seiseikai Azamino and Seiseikai Yokohama dojos. Her 3rd dan and instructor certificates are registered at the Hombu Dojo in Tokyo, Japan and allow her to grade up to 1st dan. She has attended many intensive training seminars by highly ranked Japanese and North American instructors including Saikokomon Terada, 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 acting as an assistant instructor at the Aiki Budo Centre and the Western Aikido Club.

Ishihara Sensei began his training in Aikido in 2001 under Sheppard Sensei 6th Dan. 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 began his training in Aikido in 2000 under Sheppard Sensei 6th Dan. His Dan and teaching certificates are registered with the AYF in Tokyo Japan and allow him to award certificates recognized around the world. His is involved as a security and safety supervisor for a large manufacturer in the private sector.

Matthew began his training in Yoshinkan Aikido in 2002 under Sheppard Sensei 6th 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.

Kaitlyn started training in Yoshinkan Aikido in 1997, at the age of 6, under Sheppard Sensei, 5th Dan. She is one of very few who have made their way up from the children's program into the adult's program and finally having been awarded instructors status. As of April 2010, she holds the rank of 2nd Dan and has been awarded Dai Go (5th Level) instructor's certification. She is an assistant instructor in our club's children program and is an avid practitioner of Aikido.

Kaitlyn has also delivered self defense presentations to groups including the Ontario Secondary Women's Teacher Federation.