A message from our SENSEI....

I started Aikido in the U.S. Army while assigned at Asmara, Ethiopia, April 1970, and Stan Pranin (founder and editor of Aikido Journal) was my teacher there. I did manage to take Judo on alternate nights from Maurice Asato.

After discharge and backpacking through Europe, I continued Aikido training with the late Mitsunari Kanai Shihan (8th Dan degree) in Boston, MA. One year later I moved to Florida and began studying under James Walsh and the late Steve House with continuous seminars from Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan (8th Dan degree) & chairman of the United States Aikido Federation (U.S.A.F) for 7 years. I soon moved to Arkansas and established what is now Central Arkansas Aikikai in 1979 with former students of Jack Johnson who retired (the godfather of Aikido in Arkansas).

Over the years, we have had seminars here with Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan, Clyde Takeguchi, and Linda Lee Vecchio (Cleveland Aikido). Central Arkansas Aikikai students have trained throughout the United States from New York to Florida and from Chicago to New Mexico at U.S.A.F. seminars.

Over my lifetime I have studied Judo, Karate, Kendo, and Iaido. I currently hold a 5th degree, and was appointed to Fuku-Shidoin of Eastern Region of U.S.A.F. Central Arkansas Aikikai students have traveled from more than 21 years in order to study with many uchi deshi (direct apprentices of the founder O'Sensei). The United States Aikido Federation is our direct link to Aikikai World Headquarters; Hombu Dojo, Tokyo, Japan. With "years" of Aikido training, its philosophy and its disciplines becomes a part of one's self throughout life. Persistance and patientance are key elements in one's growth.

George Jensen
(Rokudan)