Ando, Tsuneo

NPO Yoshinkan Aikido Ryu, Head Instructor
8th dan

Tsuneo Ando started studying aikido in 1975 at university where he achieved the rank of 2nd dan in Aikikai. In 1981 he became uchi deshi (apprentice) to Gozo Shioda Sensei, the founder of Yoshinkan Aikido and in 1996 he started his own organisation, Yoshinkan Aikido Ryu, in Urayasu.
He says, “Online lessons have opened up a whole new vista for us! The flow of ki, or energy, which is unique to Aikido runs all around the world. In these classes I’ll give easy-to-understand instructions on how to develop 'breath power' which is the life of Aikido and we'll look at how to progress from centre power to breath power."

Higga, Ryoichiro

Kairyukan, Head Instructor
6th dan

Ryoichiro Higga Sensei moved to Tokyo in December, 1997 when he started training at the Yoshinkan Honbu Dojo. In 1999, at the introduction of a Honbu Dojo instructor, he became uchi deshi (apprentice) to Ando Sensei. After serving 8 years as uchi deshi, Higga Sensei moved back to his native Okinawa to open the Kairyukan Dojo where he now teaches and works to promote Yoshinkan Aikido throughout Okinawa.

He says, "This is a difficult time for those who practise aikido but it is wonderful to be able to leap oceans with ZOOM Aikido and connect with everyone in this way. Each class is very short but let’s enjoy that precious time together!

Although it’s strange and difficult to train aikido alone, we can work still work up a sweat in these classes!
Hoping the world can overcome the Corona virus soon."

Mitsuhashi, Akira

Yoshinkan Aikido Soryu, Head Instructor
6th dan

"Hello everybody! I am Mitsuhashi from Soryu Dojo.
Welcome to ZOOM Aikido where ancient Japanese martial arts are fused with technology! This is a great system where we can train with anyone from anywhere in the world! Thanks to Corona, we have this opportunity to really practise “Gyojuzaga” - train where your feet are and the world is your dojo!"

Ando, Stephanie

Ryu Headquarters Dojo Instructor
4th dan

Stephanie Ando is from Johannesburg, South Africa. She came to Japan in 2002 on a gap year to teach English and shortly after started studying aikido under Tsuneo Ando at Ryu Headquarters Dojo. After falling in love with aikido, her gap year extended into 18 years and she is now an instructor at Ryu Headquarters Dojo where she also heads the International Affairs Department. Her goal is fun, energetic classes that will leave you feeling refreshed; energised and optimistic.

Akimoto, Yosuke

Ryu Headquarters Dojo Instructor
3rd dan

Yosuke Akimoto started aikido in 2008 and in 2017 became uchi deshi (apprentice) to Ando Sensei at Yoshinkan Aikido Ryu. Ryu Online for All is for people who want to train but are unable to practise at the dojo or who want to practise at home but are not sure what training to do. Developments in technology have given us a new space to train in and a new model for how we train. Let’s meet through ZOOM and train and overcome the challenge of Corona together!