Teachers

Mike is the Head Teacher of Fudoshin Aikikai. He has been practicing Aikido since 1981. He acquired his shodan (1st degree black belt) in 1990, his nidan (2nd degree) in 2004, his sandan (3rd degree) in 2008, his yondan (4th degree) in 2012 and his godan (5th degree) in 2018. Mike has been part of the Fudoshin family since 2008.

In his teaching, Mike attempts to maintain a balance between the “techniques” and the “art” of Aikido. He focuses on the precise execution of movement, as it is from this precision that power arises, while also encouraging the improvisation required to deal with unexpected situations. He fuses the five elements of physical fitness (strength, flexibility, balance, aerobics and coordination) into his teaching of Aikido.

O Sensei’s genius was to discover a way to defend oneself effectively against all types of attacks (strikes, holds, knife, sword, multiple attackers, etc.), without causing serious harm to one’s opponents. Mike emphasizes how to neutralize attacks safely, for both attacker and defender.

Originally from Iran, Shahram Moradi moved to St. John's in January 2019. His interest in the martial arts dates to his childhood, but he only began practicing seriously when he attended university at the age of 18 where he took up Kung Fu. For over ten years, he competed professionally and won championships at the provincial and national levels in Iran. Unfortunately, he suffered a number of physical injuries along the way, such as fractures to the hands, scapula, feet and nose. So, he decided to look for a martial art that was not only effective but also less likely to produce injuries. In 2004, after six months of research, he discovered Aikido. After 8 years of continuous training without interruption, he was awarded a 3rd Dan in 2012. In 2016, he had the opportunity to train at the international home of Aikido, the Hombu Dojo in Tokyo, where he was awarded his 4th Dan.

He received his coaching degree from the Iranian Martial Arts Federation in 2008 and began teaching Aikido in Tehran that same year. In Teheran, he had over a hundred students, over 30 of whom have received a black belt from Hombu Dojo. He was appointed a Shidoin (regularly scheduled teacher) at his dojo in Teheran in 2018.

In Iran, he was the head of the Aikido Aikikai coaching committee and the demonstrative committee for many years.

Tony has been practicing Aikido since 1971, first under the leadership of Graham Burt, who brought Aikido to Newfoundland from England, and then under his successor, Derm McDonald. He co-founded Fudoshin Akikai in 1999.

Tony has found Aikido to be invaluable in coping with daily stress and has always found peace and support during practice. As founder and president of Fudoshin, he is driven to protect the ideal of a not-for-profit, membership owned and directed club with a focus on making Aikido fun and available to everyone.

In his long and diverse journey through Aikido, Tony has been influenced by many different teachers including Graham Burt Sensei, Derm McDonald Shihan, Tom Alteen Fukoshidoin, Kevin McDonald Shidoin, Bill McDonald Shidoin, and Mike Clair Sensei. He has also been fortunate to attend classes and seminars by Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan, Yukio Kawahara Shihan, Donovan Waite Shihan, Claude Berthiaume Shihan, Robert Zimmerman Shihan, Yumi Nakamura Sensei, Isshu Ishiyama Shihan.