Getting Started

Len Shenfield, 4th dan.

Len started training in December 1992 in the Eastern Suburbs dojo that was run by Daniel Falero, then 2nd dan black belt with 12 years’ aikido experience with many years of judo prior to that.
Daniel is one of the senior instructors of Takemusu Aiki Association and Len trained with him for over 20 years. He still considers him his teacher, though he stopped actively teaching a few years ago.

In Len’s approach to training obtaining the next grade takes a back seat to learning the art. Takemusu Aiki offers a great foundation on which to base the study of the awareness and survival tactics.
Len dedicated a lot of time to empty-hand as well as aiki weapons training – between 4 and 8 classes a week.

He graded 1st dan in 2000, and soon after started teaching on a regular basis. Several people, who started training with him back then, are now 2nd dan black belts – senior students of our school.

Len was awarded 4th dan in 2012. He teaches 4-5 times a week and over the past 12 months 4 of his students have been graded 1st dan back belt.

Derek Minus, 6th dan.

Derek Minus is the chief instructor at the Ku-ring-gai dojo, which he established in 1982, on moving to the area.

He is an internationally qualified Aikido instructor, ranked 6th Dan by the Aikikai International. He has been practising Aikido for over 35 years and is also qualified to instruct Aiki-ken (sword) and Aiki-jo (staff), holding four weapons teaching certificates awarded by Morihiro Saito Sensei. He is also a NCAS Accredited Level 2 coach.

Before beginning Aikido, he trained in Kyokushinkai karate, in which he holds a black belt rank, Taiki-ken, a Japanese derivative of Hsing I-ch’uan and Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo (a classical Japanese staff art). Derek started Aikido practice in 1972 with the late Sugarno Sensei, then the Aikikai representative for Australia.

However, it was his present teacher, Saburo Takayasu 7th dan shihan, who introduced him to the powerful Aikido of the Iwama dojo.

Roger Gibson, 5th dan.

Roger Gibson Sensei moved to Sydney and commenced training in Aikido at the North Sydney Dojo with Saburo Takayasu Shihan (Master) and Michael Marelli Shihan in 1987. A professional soldier for many years,  Roger came to Aikido training with a background in Judo, Jiujutsu, Jukado and unarmed combat. Roger continued to train at the North Sydney Dojo until 1996, before moving to Darwin. Upon returning to Sydney, Roger, together with Mark Wilson Sensei, assumed responsibility for the North Sydney Dojo in 2001.

Roger has a continuing interest in traditional martial arts including kenjutsu and is also a Master in the art of Iaido.

Len Shenfield, 4th dan.

Len started training in December 1992 in the Eastern Suburbs dojo that was run by Daniel Falero, then 2nd dan black belt with 12 years’ aikido experience with many years of judo prior to that.
Daniel is one of the senior instructors of Takemusu Aiki Association and Len trained with him for over 20 years. He still considers him his teacher, though he stopped actively teaching a few years ago.

In Len’s approach to training obtaining the next grade takes a back seat to learning the art. Takemusu Aiki offers a great foundation on which to base the study of the awareness and survival tactics.
Len dedicated a lot of time to empty-hand as well as aiki weapons training – between 4 and 8 classes a week.

He graded 1st dan in 2000, and soon after started teaching on a regular basis. Several people, who started training with him back then, are now 2nd dan black belts – senior students of our school.

Len was awarded 4th dan in 2012. He teaches 4-5 times a week and over the past 12 months 4 of his students have been graded 1st dan back belt.

Derek Minus, 6th dan.

Derek Minus is the chief instructor at the Ku-ring-gai dojo, which he established in 1982, on moving to the area.

He is an internationally qualified Aikido instructor, ranked 6th Dan by the Aikikai International. He has been practising Aikido for over 35 years and is also qualified to instruct Aiki-ken (sword) and Aiki-jo (staff), holding four weapons teaching certificates awarded by Morihiro Saito Sensei. He is also a NCAS Accredited Level 2 coach.

Before beginning Aikido, he trained in Kyokushinkai karate, in which he holds a black belt rank, Taiki-ken, a Japanese derivative of Hsing I-ch’uan and Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo (a classical Japanese staff art). Derek started Aikido practice in 1972 with the late Sugarno Sensei, then the Aikikai representative for Australia.

However, it was his present teacher, Saburo Takayasu 7th dan shihan, who introduced him to the powerful Aikido of the Iwama dojo.

Peter Kownacki, 4th dan.

Peter Kownacki studied fine art in Warsaw, Poland. These days he lives in the green and leafy Sydney suburb of Five Dock. His passion for painting is matched by his passion for the Japanese martial art aikido – both walk the fine line between focus and relaxation.

Len Shenfield, 4th dan.

Len started training in December 1992 in the Eastern Suburbs dojo that was run by Daniel Falero, then 2nd dan black belt with 12 years’ aikido experience with many years of judo prior to that.
Daniel is one of the senior instructors of Takemusu Aiki Association and Len trained with him for over 20 years. He still considers him his teacher, though he stopped actively teaching a few years ago.

In Len’s approach to training obtaining the next grade takes a back seat to learning the art. Takemusu Aiki offers a great foundation on which to base the study of the awareness and survival tactics.
Len dedicated a lot of time to empty-hand as well as aiki weapons training – between 4 and 8 classes a week.

He graded 1st dan in 2000, and soon after started teaching on a regular basis. Several people, who started training with him back then, are now 2nd dan black belts – senior students of our school.

Len was awarded 4th dan in 2012. He teaches 4-5 times a week and over the past 12 months 4 of his students have been graded 1st dan back belt.

Derek Minus, 6th dan.

Derek Minus is the chief instructor at the Ku-ring-gai dojo, which he established in 1982, on moving to the area.

He is an internationally qualified Aikido instructor, ranked 6th Dan by the Aikikai International. He has been practising Aikido for over 35 years and is also qualified to instruct Aiki-ken (sword) and Aiki-jo (staff), holding four weapons teaching certificates awarded by Morihiro Saito Sensei. He is also a NCAS Accredited Level 2 coach.

Before beginning Aikido, he trained in Kyokushinkai karate, in which he holds a black belt rank, Taiki-ken, a Japanese derivative of Hsing I-ch’uan and Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo (a classical Japanese staff art). Derek started Aikido practice in 1972 with the late Sugarno Sensei, then the Aikikai representative for Australia.

However, it was his present teacher, Saburo Takayasu 7th dan shihan, who introduced him to the powerful Aikido of the Iwama dojo.

Derek Minus, 6th dan.

Derek Minus is the chief instructor at the Ku-ring-gai dojo, which he established in 1982, on moving to the area.

He is an internationally qualified Aikido instructor, ranked 6th Dan by the Aikikai International. He has been practising Aikido for over 35 years and is also qualified to instruct Aiki-ken (sword) and Aiki-jo (staff), holding four weapons teaching certificates awarded by Morihiro Saito Sensei. He is also a NCAS Accredited Level 2 coach.

Before beginning Aikido, he trained in Kyokushinkai karate, in which he holds a black belt rank, Taiki-ken, a Japanese derivative of Hsing I-ch’uan and Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo (a classical Japanese staff art). Derek started Aikido practice in 1972 with the late Sugarno Sensei, then the Aikikai representative for Australia.

However, it was his present teacher, Saburo Takayasu 7th dan shihan, who introduced him to the powerful Aikido of the Iwama dojo.