In 1958 Fred Springer began his martial arts training studying Judo in Burlington, Ontario under Masatoshi (Bill) Umetsu (Rokudan) at Seikeikan. Umetsu sensei was considered an expert in ground work. He was also one of the original founders of Judo Canada. After 10 years of training and competition Springer Sensei started teaching Judo at Seikeikan in 1967 until 1979.
Umetsu sensei had an interest in Aikido and frequently taught Aikido techniques to his students. In 1984 Springer Sensei began his study of Aikido under Kimeda Sensei (8th Dan). He was awarded his Shodan in 1993, Nidan in 2004, Sandan in 2007 and Yondan in 2012, and Go Dan (5th dan) in 2015 and in 2019 was awarded Roku (6th Dan) by Yasuhisa Shioda Soke. In March of 2024 Springer sensei was awarded the rank of 7th Dan, and the title of Shihan by the SIAF and Shioda Soke.
Springer Sensei has also studied Iaido and Jodo, and is a retired Elementary School Principal and is also an amateur radio operator, VE3KYD and VE3EE.
Joe Petrovich Sensei, started Aikido in 1974 under Kushida Sensei. In 1975 he was introduced to Takeshi Kimeda Sensei and Mitsugoro Karasawa Sensei and trained with them regularly when in the Toronto area. In 1980 after completing post-graduate work at the University of Windsor Petrovich Sensei returned to Hamilton, Ontario and helped to establish the Hamilton Yoshinkai Aikido Club at the Hamilton Japanese Cultural Center with Kimeda Sensei.
The first visit in 1980 by Master Gozo Shioda,(founder of the Yoshinkan School of Aikido), to North America had an immeasurable and profound effect on his study of Aikido. As well He traveled to Japan in 1990 to practice at the Hombu dojo. In 1990, in order to further and deepen training, took the opportunity to study Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido under Goyo Ohmi Sensei for several years. In 1995 at the urging of Fred Springer Sensei the Seikeikan.ca Aikido Club was established and this blossomed into the Seikeikan Yoshinkai Aikido Dojo. March of 2024 also marks Petrovich Sensei's 50th year in teaching and training in Yoshinkan Aikido.
On a personal note, Sensei Petrovich believes we should study Aikido with a child's uninhibited sense of wonder and curiosity completely void of ego.
With a martial arts journey spanning several decades, Danny Sensei’s path has been one of deep immersion and unwavering dedication. His practice began as a teenager with Goju-Ryu karate, building a strong foundation in Budo before he discovered his ultimate passion in Yoshinkan Aikido.
For over 24 years, Seikeikan has been his home. His journey here began with a single, pivotal moment when Springer Shihan invited him to "grab his wrist." From that day forward, Danny Sensei committed himself fully to the dojo, a commitment that would see him become one of its central figures. His technical skill and deep understanding of Aikido were recognized through his long-standing role as Springer Shihan's primary uke for gradings and demonstrations across Canada and in Japan—a position of immense trust reserved for the most senior and reliable students.
His progression is marked by internationally recognized milestones. He earned his Shodan (1st Dan) in 2008, along with teaching licenses from both the AYF and the Gozo Shioda Aikido Federation (GSAF). In 2018, his dedication was honored with the rank of Yondan (4th Dan), an achievement personally signed and conferred by Yasuhisa Shioda Soke, the son of Yoshinkan Aikido's founder, Gozo Shioda.
In 2021, in a formal recognition of his leadership and commitment, Springer Shihan entrusted him with the roles of Dojo-cho (Head of the Dojo) and Chief Instructor.
Most recently, in September 2024, his expertise was awarded with the rank of Godan (5th Dan) and a Level 4 Instructor's Licence from the GSAF in Japan. This high honor was received with the full endorsement and support of a respected panel of internationally recognized teachers: F. Springer Shihan, F. Haynes Shihan, A. Hennessy Shihan, and A. McBride Shihan.
As a certified NCCP coach, Danny Sensei continues to guide a new generation of students in finding their own path in Budo, upholding the legacy of Seikeikan with every class he teaches.
Tim is a dedicated martial artist whose journey spans over four decades. His early athletic career focussed on western fencing, where he led McMaster University to a provincial championship in 1987. After a brief exploration of kendo, he found his true calling in Yoshinkan Aikido in 1989.
Having spent many years of intense training under the auspices of Senseis Thomson, Haynes, Stewart and Blanking at the Seibukan dojo, he gained his first degree blackbelt in 1992, advancing to 5th dan by 2007 under Soke Yasuhisa Shioda, and is a certified Level 2 instructor. He has contributed significantly to Aikido's development through teaching, establishing dojos, and providing or participating in international seminars across North America, Brazil, and Japan with such prestigious instructors as Terada Shihan and Tsutomu Chida Shihan, among many other high-ranking shihans. He played key roles in founding both the Seiwakan dojo in Burlington and the Seibukan (Waterdown Aikido Yoshinkai), before going on to be the senior instructor at Toronto’s Shinseikan dojo. Since his retirement from law enforcement, he continues support local dojos in southern Ontario.
Sasha M, 4th Dan
Scott H, 4th Dan
Sasha Sensei and Scott Sensei have been teaching and training at Seikeikan for over 20 years, and continue to share their passion and enthusiasm for Aikido at the dojo. With Sasha Sensei leading the kids/youth program and Scott leading a monthly Kenshue class. Both Sasha Sensei and Scott sensei hold 4th dan ranks and instructor certifications from Japan.
With 25 years of experience Andrew McBride Shihan is internationally renowned, having taught throughout North America and all over the world (Brazil, Japan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkey). Andrew McBride Shihan started Aikido at the Royal Military College, receiving his Shodan (1st degree black belt) in 1998. In 2008, he was requested to accompany Shioda Kancho (9th) on his 2008 North America tour as his secondary Uke, he then was selected to attend the International Instructor Course the following year, graduating from the 19th Senshusei at the Headquarters Dojo in Tokyo. In 2013, McBride Sensei received special recognition at the International All Yoshinkan Demonstration in 2014 and won the top Uke award in 2015. He was then promptly invited back to Japan as the Chief Foreign Instructor.
Based out of Kingston, McBride Shihan visits Seikeikan often to share his Aikido and mentor teachers and students.
Our Senior blackbelt ranked students (Yudansha) are all Japan certified and qualified Yoshinkai Aikido instructors, who are authorized to register students grading with the Shioda International Aikido Federation (SIAF) in Tokyo Japan.