KW Ki Aikido Instructors
Craig Radcliffe Sensei - Lead Instructor
Craig Radcliffe Sensei started practicing Ki Aikido in 2009 at the YMCA in Kitchener under Jill Nielsen Sensei and then later under Fraser Drysdale Sensei. After becoming a parent, he found that his sedentary lifestyle was preventing him from being able to keep up with his on-the-move toddler and saw Aikido as a way towards greater mobility and fitness. Because Ki Aikido is designed to be suitable for people of all abilities and fitness levels, it was a perfect fit for getting off of the couch.
Craig feels that he owes a great deal of his health and wellness to Ki Aikido and hopes to share this path with others: “I’ve gone from couch potato to exercising daily and running marathons and I credit Aikido with making that possible. It has helped me in uncountable ways with fitness, with relaxation, and with dealing with difficult situations.”
Craig Radcliffe Sensei holds the rank of Shodan in Ki Aikido, Jokyu in Ki Development and an Assistant Ki Lectureship from Ki Society.
Linda Carrigan - Assistant Instructor, Youth Program
Linda has been practicing Aikido since 2016 and currently holds the rank of Yonkyu in Ki Aikido and Shokyu in Ki Development.
Our Leadership
Glen Thompson Sensei - Head Instructor, Southern Ontario
Thompson-sensei started his martial arts training with Goju Ryu Karate Do in 1991. After visiting China and Japan in 1995 on a dojo trip, he decided to return to Japan to study martial arts in 1997. While in Japan he studied Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido and kendo. He trained at the Yushinkan Dojo in Machida City, Tokyo under Yoshida Yuji-sensei (Kanagawa Prefecture Shibu-cho). He was granted Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido Shidoin (instructor) certification in 2000 from the Ki no Kenkyukai HQ in Tochigi, Japan. After returning to Canada in 2007, he began teaching occasionally at The Orangeville Dojo and The Etobicoke Dojo, opening Aikido Brampton/The Brampton Dojo in September 2008. He currently holds the rank of 4th Dan in Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido and Chuden in Shin Shin Toitsu Do (Ki Development). He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Midland Ki Federation and serves as the Head Instructor and Authorized Examiner for The Southern Ontario Ki-Aikido Kai.
Koichi Kashiwaya Sensei - Chief Instructor, Midland Ki Federation
Koichi Kashiwaya Sensei is one of the very few full-time Aikido professionals in the United States and has traveled extensively and frequently, teaching on behalf of Ki Society HQ, for his MKF dojo, and occasional seminars for other groups throughout the world. A major emphasis in his teaching is the development of the next generation of instructors and leaders for MKF and Ki Society.
Students from all over the world relish the opportunity to train with this spirited, dynamic teacher who continually inspires his students to polish, refine and explore their arts. His compassion and care for his students have inspired many to take these arts into their daily lives. Literally thousands of people, through his efforts, have experienced the teachings of Ki Society and Tohei sensei.
Kashiwaya Sensei’s official positions include: designated Advisor for Shinshin Toitsu Aikido Kai (Ki Society International) for North America; official Ki Society Headquarters Instructor (Sohombu Shihan) teaching on behalf of Ki Society internationally; and Chief Instructor and founder of MKF, a group of dojos across the USA, Canada and Brazil. He also works to support Ki Society International efforts in Australia, the Philippines and Thailand.
Currently, Kashiwaya Sensei holds the following ranks and certifications from Ki Society International:
- Okuden in Ki Development (1977)
- Hachidan in Shinshin Toitsu Aikido (1998)
- Koshi (Ki Lecturer – full professor) (ca. 1983)
- International Taigi Competition Judge (1996)
- Special Examiner (2007)
- Sohombu Shihan (Headquarters Instructor) (2011)
Shinichi Tohei Sensei - President of Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido Kai
Since childhood Shinichi Tohei was guided and taught by his father Soshu Koichi Tohei Sensei, the 10th dan Aikido Master. Currently, as successor, he is engaged in an effort to spread the teachings of Shinshin Toitsu Aikido in Japan and Overseas. He also serves as a liberal arts part time teacher of Keio University and teaches Shinshin Toitsu Aikido at classes and the official Keio University Aikido Club. In addition, he applies the teaching in communication seminars, guiding the development of human resources for business leaders, professional athletes and artists.
Soshu Koichi Tohei Sensei
Soshu Koichi Tohei Sensei was born on 20th January 1920 in Tokyo. He graduated from the Economics Department of Keio University. When he was young, he suffered from pleurisy and he was very weak. Determined to strengthen both mind and body, he undertook intensive training in Zen meditation and Misogi breathing methods. At the age of 19 he began the study of Aikido under the founder Morihei Ueshiba Sensei and ultimately achieved the highest level of 10th Dan. After the war, he studied mind and body unification from Tempu Nakamura Sensei.
KW Ki Aikido Instructors Emeritus
Jill Nielsen Sensei
Jill Nielsen Sensei started practicing aikido at age 39 as an enjoyable exercise, trying to get back in shape after having two children. Her oldest child had started taking aikido and was enjoying it, so she decided to try it too. When Nielsen Sensei could no longer continue with the physical aspects of aikido due to arthritis, two of her senior students, Craig and Fraser, continued to keep the club going.
Nielsen Sensei has the following to say about Shinshin Toitsu Aikido:
The beauty of this practice is that it is not only a good physical exercise, with useful movements for everyday life, but also a philosophy which resonates with me. Instead of a “winner loser” way of looking at disagreement, it instead has a goal of bringing an adversarial situation back to harmony with no harm to either party involved. It taught me to be more calm and thoughtful about problem solving physically and emotionally. I found that it became part of my world, I met lots of amazing people through the practice and I ended up as the head instructor of the dojo (where you practice aikido) and continued to meet amazing people as my students and fellow instructors.
Aikido also has saved me several times because I know how to fall without injury. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. (Canadians need to know how to take a fall)