Our two teachers (sensei), Paul Stephens and Eva Stauffer are amongst the most highly ranked and skilled Yoshinkan Aikido practitioners in Europe. They were both trained and graded by some of the leading Yoshinkan Aikido teachers in the world. Takeno Shihan, Chida Shihan, Muguruza Shihan (France), Jacques Payet Shihan and Tony Yates Shihan are all household names to Yoshinkan Aikido practitioners.
Both Paul and Eva first completed and then taught at the infamous Yoshinkan International Instructor Course (senshusei) at Yoshinkan Aikido’s headquarters (Hombu) dojo in Tokyo. The Senshusei course is a gruelling year-long intensive Yoshinkan Aikido course taught to civilians and the Tokyo riot police. Our dojo’s training is much more accessible and friendly bu t we receive significant benefit from our sensei’s experience training and teaching in the “riot police” course. Paul and Eva teach most classes together.
PAUL STEPHENS (5TH DAN)
Paul Stephens began studying Yoshinkan Aikido in London, UK with Tony Yates (7th dan) 1986 and Jacques Payet (7th dan) in 1989. After acquiring his Shodan, Paul travelled to Japan and graduated from the 2nd Yoshinkan International Instructor Course at Hombu dojo (central school) in Tokyo 1993. He remained in Japan until 1996 employed by the Hombu dojo as a shidoin (teacher) of the Yoshinkan International Instructor Course and he accompanied Japanese Shihan (masters) on international tours. Paul eventually became the senior non-Japanese instructor in Japan.
EVA STAUFFER (4TH DAN)
Eva Stauffer started studying Yoshikan Aikido at the Yoshinkan Hombu dojo in Tokyo in 1989. She graduated from the 1st ever Yoshinkan International Instructor Course, a year prior to Paul, and remained at the Hombu until 1996.
After returning to London in 1996, Paul and Eva established the Yoshinkan London Aikido dojo. They have continued their study primarily under the instruction of Takefumi Takeno Shihan through visits to train at his dojo in Yamanashi, Japan. In 2005 Takeno sensei graded Paul to 5th dan and Eva to 4th dan.