| Aikido in Westchester, NY - Martial Arts, Self Defense and Fitness - Instructor & Lineage |
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| Pursue compassion and ethics over fame, glory and fortune. This is the true source of power in martial arts training. An attacker may not know of your popularity, but he will feel the weight of your character. |
Scarsdale Aikido is a member of the Aikido Association of America (or AAA) system, which is in turn affiliated
with the Aikikai in Japan, as are many other organizations in the U.S. such as the United States Aikido Federation
(USAF). The stated goal of AAA is to bring the of practice of Aikido in America to the highest levels. AAA developed a
system to accomplish this task as well as a track record of effectiveness. Scarsdale Aikido employs a method of
training in both technique and understanding, as both are essential elements of effective self defense. Practice in
technique is necessary to develop reflexes. While more subtle, a correct understanding is critical to close openings to
being countered while performing techniques in a realistic setting. In addition, weapons training is significantly
emphasized as compared to many other organizations and given the chief instructor's substantive background in
Sugano Sensei's (USAF) timing based training methods, a large portion of the training employs this approach. These
elements characterize the training.
with the Aikikai in Japan, as are many other organizations in the U.S. such as the United States Aikido Federation
(USAF). The stated goal of AAA is to bring the of practice of Aikido in America to the highest levels. AAA developed a
system to accomplish this task as well as a track record of effectiveness. Scarsdale Aikido employs a method of
training in both technique and understanding, as both are essential elements of effective self defense. Practice in
technique is necessary to develop reflexes. While more subtle, a correct understanding is critical to close openings to
being countered while performing techniques in a realistic setting. In addition, weapons training is significantly
emphasized as compared to many other organizations and given the chief instructor's substantive background in
Sugano Sensei's (USAF) timing based training methods, a large portion of the training employs this approach. These
elements characterize the training.
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Scarsdale Aikido
4 Gray Rock Rd
Scarsdale, NY 10583
914-574-6498
For Email, see
Contact Us below
4 Gray Rock Rd
Scarsdale, NY 10583
914-574-6498
For Email, see
Contact Us below
Toyoda Sensei Sugano Sensei Yamada Sensei
The chief instructor, Steve Kanney, is a 5th degree black belt who began training in Aikido in 1978. He
began in the USAF and trained in their headquarters dojo beginning in 1983. Initially, as a student of Yamada Sensei
(8th dan), he developed proficiency in technique, as Yamada Sensei’s philosophy could be characterized as “be
martial, throw hard.” However, as Yamada Sensei is known by his superiors to be qualified as a basics instructor only (i.
e. up to technical proficiency at 3rd degree black belt, after which there is no further learning), Steve began to
gravitate towards Sugano Sensei (8th dan) in the late 1980’s and became exclusively his student from 1996-2005.
Sugano Sensei teaches that one should train hard when young, but ease up somewhat and examine the art in more
depth later on. While Sugano Sensei may be the highest level practitioner of Aikido alive in the United States today,
began in the USAF and trained in their headquarters dojo beginning in 1983. Initially, as a student of Yamada Sensei
(8th dan), he developed proficiency in technique, as Yamada Sensei’s philosophy could be characterized as “be
martial, throw hard.” However, as Yamada Sensei is known by his superiors to be qualified as a basics instructor only (i.
e. up to technical proficiency at 3rd degree black belt, after which there is no further learning), Steve began to
gravitate towards Sugano Sensei (8th dan) in the late 1980’s and became exclusively his student from 1996-2005.
Sugano Sensei teaches that one should train hard when young, but ease up somewhat and examine the art in more
depth later on. While Sugano Sensei may be the highest level practitioner of Aikido alive in the United States today,
Steve left the USAF, and Sugano Sensei's instruction specifically because he believed in the simple and direct
philosophy of Fumio Toyoda Sensei. Toyoda Sensei, founder of AAA, was of the opinion that we can develop fully to
the highest levels of practice as Americans, and he developed a direct training system to effectively accomplish the
task. While Toyoda Sensei passed away a few years ago, AAA has effected a succession plan similarly to what many
organizations in the U.S. have been experiencing as their founders age, dealing with illness and the inevitable.
In addition to training in the USAF system for 28 years, Steve regularly attended seminars with Morihiro Saito Sensei,
one of the founder’s most advanced students, Tamura Sensei, a very high level practitioner in France, and Saotome
Sensei. Training in the dojo incorporates much of Sugano Sensei’s methods, Saito Sensei’s weapons system, and the
AAA system as the benchmark for testing and training. AAA places a greater emphasis on weapons training and a
correct intellectual understanding than in the USAF system, for example, but is similar in scope to the ASU system.
Steve has some exposure to other methods of physical training including wrestling, Ju Jitsu, Karate and Tai Chi. To
anchor his understanding of martial arts training, he began the study of Zen in 1996 under a Chinese master
considered one of the more senior practitioners in the world today, and continued through 2006 when he no longer
visited the United States due to health considerations. Zen and martial arts training maintain a long history of close
association: “Zen discipline is simple, direct, self-reliant, self-denying…A good fighter is generally an ascetic or stoic,
which means he has an iron will. This, when needed, Zen can supply.” - DT Suzuki Zen and Japanese Culture (pg 62)
philosophy of Fumio Toyoda Sensei. Toyoda Sensei, founder of AAA, was of the opinion that we can develop fully to
the highest levels of practice as Americans, and he developed a direct training system to effectively accomplish the
task. While Toyoda Sensei passed away a few years ago, AAA has effected a succession plan similarly to what many
organizations in the U.S. have been experiencing as their founders age, dealing with illness and the inevitable.
In addition to training in the USAF system for 28 years, Steve regularly attended seminars with Morihiro Saito Sensei,
one of the founder’s most advanced students, Tamura Sensei, a very high level practitioner in France, and Saotome
Sensei. Training in the dojo incorporates much of Sugano Sensei’s methods, Saito Sensei’s weapons system, and the
AAA system as the benchmark for testing and training. AAA places a greater emphasis on weapons training and a
correct intellectual understanding than in the USAF system, for example, but is similar in scope to the ASU system.
Steve has some exposure to other methods of physical training including wrestling, Ju Jitsu, Karate and Tai Chi. To
anchor his understanding of martial arts training, he began the study of Zen in 1996 under a Chinese master
considered one of the more senior practitioners in the world today, and continued through 2006 when he no longer
visited the United States due to health considerations. Zen and martial arts training maintain a long history of close
association: “Zen discipline is simple, direct, self-reliant, self-denying…A good fighter is generally an ascetic or stoic,
which means he has an iron will. This, when needed, Zen can supply.” - DT Suzuki Zen and Japanese Culture (pg 62)
Steve Kanney (2nd black belt from right) taking seminar
with Morihiro Saito Sensei (Picture taken in early 1990's)
Question: What is the difference between the different Aikido organizations (between the Aikikai and various
others, as well as within the Aikikai itself)?
There are a fair number of Aikido organizations: Tomiki Aikido, the Ki society, and Yoshinkan to name a few. These
were started by students of the founder who wanted to go off on their own. Within the Aikikai, the organization run by
the founder's family, we have the USAF, AAA, ASU, Pacific Aikido Federation, etc, etc, etc. From time to time, each
organization or system may maintain that it is the best or most advanced system, or that they are the only ones that
truly understand the founder's intent.
Technical differences aside, the development of each individual belongs not to a particular organization or system.
Rather, the development belongs to the individual themselves. This is true in all martial arts. Along those lines,
obviously good teachers are an essential element, but effort is also quite critical. The greater the effort, the greater the
result; the lessor the effort, the lesser the result. At Scarsdale Aikido, we attempt to correctly follow the founder of the
art, and we welcome visitors to our school to observe how we train.
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Class Schedule: Aikido Meditation