Meet the instructors
Meet the instructors, assistants and international connections who shape the teaching, spirit and beginners mind of Aikido Shoshinkan.
Chief Instructor
1 profile
Tadashi Narita Dojocho
Chief Instructor
Chief instructor of Aikido Shoshinkan, full time student of Aikido, and a senior teacher with over 25 years of Aikido experience shaped by extensive training in Japan, Europe, Australia, and the UK.
- Focus: Adult and junior instruction, dojo direction, Yoshinkan Aikido, beginners mind
- Classes: Most adult and junior classes across the club
- Training connection: Main influence from Joe Thambu Shihan, with training at Yoshinkan Hombu and seminars worldwide
Instructors
3 profiles
Rowan Garton Sensei
Adult Instructor / Head Junior Instructor
Rowan began training in 2014 and became deeply committed to Yoshinkan Aikido, later completing uchi-deshi and dojosei training and becoming a regular adult and junior instructor.
- Focus: Adult classes, junior instruction, uchi-deshi discipline, Aiki-Ken
- Classes: Tuesday adult class, junior classes on Wednesdays and Fridays, after school programme
- Experience: Uchi-deshi/dojosei training, demonstrations, international seminars and travel
Leah Summers Sensei
Adult / Junior Instructor
Leah started training from the junior grades and is the first home grown female instructor from the club's junior programme.
- Focus: Junior classes, adult support, after school clubs, home grown development
- Classes: Adult and junior classes across Nottingham and Derby dojos
- Path: First home grown female instructor from the junior programme
Mark Farr Sensei
Adult / Junior Instructor
Mark has over 20 years of training experience, and was once head instructor of his own dojo in Derby. Now he is an established member of the instructors team taking adults and junior classes.
- Focus: Adult classes, junior classes, after school clubs
- Classes: All junior classes, Derby dojo classes, and after school programme
- Experience: Started training 30 years ago. Very experienced instructor.
Assistant Instructors
2 profiles
Max Loewenthal-Stewart Sensei
Assistant Instructor
Known throughout the dojo as Max Loewenthal-Stewart Sensei, he grew through the junior, cadet and adult programmes and achieved Shodan in September 2024.
- Focus: Junior instruction, cadet development, high spirit training
- Classes: Junior classes in Nottingham and Derby dojos
- Path: Junior, cadet and adult programme graduate; Shodan in September 2024
Evan Man Sensei
Assistant Instructor
Evan is another home grown Aikidoka, training from the age of five and progressing through the junior, cadet and adult ranks to achieve Shodan in September 2024.
- Focus: Junior instruction, calm leadership, jiyuwaza development
- Classes: Junior classes in Nottingham and Derby dojos
- Experience: Japan dojo expedition, Butokuden training and international seminars
Assistants
2 profiles
Flora Bellingham Senpai
Assistant
Flora joined the club in 2023 and quickly became a valued member of the team, progressing steadily through the ranks and supporting junior classes.
- Focus: Junior class support, cadet leadership, steady progression
- Classes: Junior classes and cadet support
- Approach: Calm, kind, reliable and encouraging
James Screeton Senpai
Assistant
James joined the club in 2022 and quickly became a regular helping hand in the junior class, bringing enthusiasm, focus and a genuine passion for Aikido.
- Focus: Junior support, biomechanics, body and mind connection
- Classes: Junior classes
- Background: Acupuncture, sports therapy and somatic psychotherapy
International Connections
2 profiles
Joe Thambu Shihan
Chief Instructor of Aikido Shudokan
Joe Thambu Shihan is Chief Instructor of Aikido Shudokan and a major influence on Aikido Shoshinkan's technical development.
- Focus: Yoshinkan Aikido, international teaching, demonstrations, instructor development
- Connection: Main teacher and influence for Narita Dojocho
- Role: Chief Instructor of Aikido Shudokan
Paul Foulkes Sensei
Aikido Shoshinkan Tokachi Branch Instructor
Paul Foulkes is responsible for instruction at the Aikido Shoshinkan Tokachi branch club and maintains a long-standing training relationship with Shoshinkan Nottingham.
- Focus: Tokachi branch instruction, Yoshinkan study, cultural exchange
- Classes: Aikido Shoshinkan Tokachi branch and online adult training links
- Connection: Long-standing relationship with Shoshinkan Aikido Club in Nottingham
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