Mike Diette Sensei

1st Dan Yoshinkan Aikido Mike Sensei began training in martial arts in his native Boston, U.S.A. in 1995, starting with Shaolin Kenpo. After moving to the UK he started studying Aikido in 2003 under Sensei Ken Robson, 7th Dan (Shudokan Institute of Aikido International), where he first met Andy Hobday Sensei and Mark Farr Sensei, who were instructors there. In 2005, Mike Sensei joined Andy Sensei’s recently formed Aikido Shoshinkan and in 2007, made the decision to resign from his job as Credit Manager for a large international corporation in order to study Yoshinkan Aikido full time and to learn how to operate a traditional Aikido dojo. In May 2009, Mike Sensei was tested to Shodan (1st Dan Yoshinkan) by Joe Thambu Shihan (7th Dan Yoshinkan). Currently, an instructor for adult and children’s classes, as well as acting dojo administrator, Mike Sensei continues his training under Andy Sensei to continue his development and further his understanding of Yoshinkan Aikido. He has also trained in Tae Kwon Do, Krav Maga, and continues to train in Katori Shinto Ryu jodo (art of the staff) under Simon Oliver Sensei, 6th Dan (JKR). Mike Sensei is committed to spreading Yoshinkan Aikido internationally and making this art accessible to people of all ages, abilities, and all walks of life in the 21st century whilst maintaining the traditional roots of the art.

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