Alister Thomson Sensei, 7th Dan - Makotokan Senior Instructor

Alister Thomson Sensei began Aikido in 1974 and is one of North America's leading instructors with over 30 years of training. He trained under Soke Shioda Gozo Sensei at the Yoshinkan Honbu Dojo in Tokyo, Japan between 1985-1987. He graduated from a 9 month, full-time instructor's course (with the Tokyo Riot Police) in 1986. Alister Thomson Sensei was the joint winner of the award for best demonstration at the 1987 All Japan Yoshinkan Aikido Demonstration, the first time this was achieved by a non-Japanese group. Alister Thomson Sensei was one of the founding instructors of the Seidokan Dojo in Georgetown, Ontario and of the Shinseikan Dojo in Toronto. He has been very active in supporting the growth of Yoshinkan Aikido across North America and the world. Alister Thomson Sensei's dynamic teaching style, expert instruction and vast experience make him one of the most sought after instructors in North America. Having relocated to Nova Scotia from Toronto in 2005, we are very pleased to have Alister's expertise and friendship in our Dojo.

Jim Arsenault Sensei, 3rd Dan

Jim Arsenault Sensei, 3rd Dan, began training in Aikido in 1991 at CFB Kingston, Ontario and later moved to CFB Borden, Ontario in 1992 where he opened the Buseikan Dojo. In 1993, Arsenault Sensei moved to CFB Trenton, Ontario. After registering his new Dojo with Japan, Jim opened the Bushinkan Dojo where he taught until moving to Nova Scotia in 2006. Arsenault Sensei trained under Alister Thomson Sensei (7th Dan), Fred Haynes Sensei (7th Dan) and Jim Stewart Sensei (7th Dan) at the Seidokan Dojo in Georgetown, Ontario. Arsenault Sensei has also attended many clinics with senior Japanese Instructors and was a participant in the first International Instructors Gasshuku in 1995 in Tokyo, Japan. During his stay in Japan, Jim received training from several of the most senior Aikido instructors in the world. Jim is a very welome instructor at the Makotokan Dojo in Nova Scotia and we are very happy to have his experience and friendship.

Dave Kay, 2nd Dan

Dave Kay, 2nd Dan, began Aikido in 2001. Dave has attended many clinics with senior instructors from across North America. Dave trained under Shioda Yasuhiza Shihan (8th Dan) during his visit to Nova Scotia in 2007. Dave has taken an active roll in supporting the operation of the Dojo as the main coordinator of the Wednesday night training. Dave is very active in teaching both the adult and children's classes at the Makotokan Dojo.

Jamie Corlett, 2nd Dan

Jamie Corlett (age 17) holds the rank of 2nd Degree Black Belt. Jamie started Aikido at the age of 7 in 1997 and attained the rank of Junior 2nd Degree Black Belt in the Children's program in 2005. Jamie was the first Yoshinkan Aikido Junior Black Belt in Eastern Canada. Jamie participates in both Adult and Children's classes and assists in teaching the children's program as part of the Instructor Trainee program at the Makotokan Dojo. Jamie trained under Shioda Yasuhiza Shihan (8th Dan) during his visit to Victoria in 2005 and again during his visit to Nova Scotia in 2007.

Alexander Rosborough, 2nd Dan

Alexander (Zan) Rosborough, 2nd Dan, started Aikido in 1999 at the Makotokan Dojo. Zan has attended many clinics with top instructors from across North America and Japan. Zan trained with Shioda Yasuhiza Shihan, 8th Dan, in Ontario and in Japan. Zan has visited Japan in 2003 and again in 2005 during the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Yoshinkan Aikido. Zan teaches both adult and children's classes at the Makotokan Dojo.

Steve Mustain, Shodan

Steve Mustain, 1st Dan, started Aikido in 1999. Steve has attended many clinics with senior instructors. Steve trained with Shioda Yasuhisa Shihan, 8th Dan, in Ontario during his visit to Canada in 2003 and again in 2007 when Shioda Yasuhisa Shihan visited the Makotokan Dojo in Nova Scotia. Steve has dedicated himself to furthering the growth of Yoshinkan Aikido including supporting a Private School Curriculum. Steve assists in teaching classes at the Makotokan Dojo.

Lee Covin, Shodan
	Lee Covin, 1st Dan, started his training in 2002. Lee has attended many clinics with senior instructors including Shioda Sensei in Ontario in 2003 and again in Victoria in 2005. Lee also trained in Japan in 2003. Lee actively teaches both adult and children's classes at the Makotokan Dojo.

Liz Gesner, Shodan
	Liz Gesner, 1st Dan, began Aikido in 2001. Liz has attended many clinics with senior instructors from across North America and has travelled to several clinics across Canada to attend advanced seminars. Liz is very supportive of the Dojo and its students. Liz actively taught both adult and children's classes at the Makotokan Dojo and is now attending university in Vancouver, BC.

Patrick Potter, Shodan

Patrick Potter, 1st Dan, began Aikido in 2000. Patrick is very active in supporting the operation of the Dojo and is one of the primary coordinators of the Wednesday night training. Patrick attends many clinics with senior instructors including Shioda Yasuhiza Shihan (8th Dan) during his visit to Nova Scotia in 2007. Patrick actively teaches both the adult and children's classes at the Makotokan Dojo.

Ginette Simard, Shodan
	Ginette Simard, 1st Dan, is very active in supporting the operation of the Dojo. Ginette attends many clinics with senior instructors and actively teaches both the adult and children's classes at the Makotokan Dojo. Ginette trained under Shioda Yasuhiza Shihan (8th Dan) during his visit to Nova Scotia in 2007.

Colm Kennedy, Shodan
	Colm Kennedy, 1st Dan, is very active in supporting the operation of the Dojo and has attended many clinics with senior instructors including Shioda Yasuhiza Shihan (8th Dan) during his visit to Nova Scotia in 2007. Colm actively teaches both the adult and children's classes at the Makotokan Dojo and has demonstrated an outstanding committment to the children's program for many years.

Will Nowotczynski, Shodan
	Will Nowotczynski, 1st Dan, is very active in supporting the operation of the Dojo and has attended many clinics with senior instructors including Shioda Yasuhiza Shihan (8th Dan) during his visit to Nova Scotia in 2007. Will teaches both the adult and children's classes at the Makotokan Dojo and has also demonstrated an outstanding committment to the children's program for many years.

Jennifer West, Shodan
	Jennifer West, 1st Dan, has been training in all regular classes for many years and actively assists in teaching the children's classes. Jennifer has attended many clinics with senior instructors including Shioda Yasuhiza Shihan (8th Dan) during his visit to Nova Scotia in 2007. Jennifer is a valuable asset to the Makotokan Dojo.

Martial Laporte, Shodan
	Martial Laporte, 1st Dan, is very active in supporting the operation of the Dojo and has attended many clinics with senior instructors including Shioda Yasuhiza Shihan (8th Dan) during his visit to Nova Scotia in 2007. Martial teaches both the adult and children's classes at the Makotokan Dojo and has also demonstrated an outstanding committment to the children's program for many years.

Rob Chute, Shodan
	Rob Chute, 1st Dan, is very active in supporting the operation of the Dojo and has attended many clinics with senior instructors including Shioda Yasuhiza Shihan (8th Dan) during his visit to Nova Scotia in 2007. Rob regularly teaches adult and children's classes at the Makotokan Dojo and is a very welcome member of the Makotokan.

Heather Mombourquette, Shodan

Heather Mombourquette, 1st Dan, is very active in supporting the operation of the Dojo and has attended many clinics with senior instructors including Shioda Yasuhiza Shihan (8th Dan) during his visit to Nova Scotia in 2007. Heather teaches both the adult and children's classes at the Makotokan Dojo and has also demonstrated an outstanding committment to the children's program for many years. Heather loves teaching children and is a wonderful asset to the Makotokan Dojo.

Rose Veniot, Ikkyu

Rose Veniot, 1st Kyu Brown Belt, is very active in supporting the operation of the Dojo and has attended many clinics with senior instructors including Shioda Yasuhiza Shihan (8th Dan) during his visit to Nova Scotia in 2007. Rose teaches children's classes at the Makotokan Dojo. Rose enjoys teaching children and is a wonderful asset to the Makotokan Dojo. Rose is currenlty preparing for her Shodan grading.

Evan Nickerson, Junior Shodan

Evan Nickerson, Junior Shodan, is an instructor trainee at the Mokotokan Dojo. Evan is 15 years old and began training in Aikido in 1999. Evan actively assists in teaching the children's classes and has demonstrated nice leadership skills to the younger children. Evan has attended many clinics with senior instructors including Shioda Yasuhiza Shihan (8th Dan) during his visit to Nova Scotia in 2007. Evan is a valuable asset to the Makotokan Dojo.

Andrew Nickerson, Junior Shodan

Andrew Nickerson, Junior Shodan, is an instructor trainee at the Mokotokan Dojo. Andrew is 14 years old and began training in Aikido in 2000. Andrew actively assists in teaching the children's classes and sets a wonderful example for the young members of the children's class. Andrew has attended many clinics with senior instructors including Shioda Yasuhiza Shihan (8th Dan) during his visit to Nova Scotia in 2007. Andrew is a valuable asset to the Makotokan Dojo.

Sarah O'Reilly, Junior Shodan

Sarah O'Reilly, Junior Shodan, is an instructor trainee at the Mokotokan Dojo. Sarah is 13 years old and began her training in Aikido in 2003. Sarah actively assists in teaching the children's classes and sets a wonderful example for the young members of the children's class. Sarah has attended several clinics with senior instructors including Shioda Yasuhiza Shihan (8th Dan) during his visit to Nova Scotia in 2007. Sarah is a very dedicated and enthusiastic student and she is a valuable asset to the Makotokan Dojo.

Sasha Power, Junior Shodan
	Sasha Power, Junior Shodan, is an instructor trainee at the Mokotokan Dojo. Sasha is 15 years old and began her training in Aikido in 2000. Sasha actively assists in teaching the children's classes in the Halifax Dojo. Sasha is a dedicated student who demonstrates outstanding perseverance and she is a valuable asset to the Makotokan Dojo.