Steve Kanney, the chief instructor, is a full time professional Aikido instructor dedicated to bringing the highest
level of practice to local residents in Westchester County, NY. He began Aikido training in 1978, specifically training in
the headquarters dojo of the United States Aikido Federation, the New York Aikikai, under both Yoshimitsu Yamada
and Seiichi Sugano from 1983 to 2006. His training began with basic physical movements under Yamada Sensei, and
he then pursued advanced elements of timing as well as basic strategy extensively from Sugano Sensei since 1996.
Simultaneously, over a 17 year period he took 30 days of seminar classes in the U.S. with Morihiro Saito, one of the
most advanced students of the founder of Aikido, and practiced his weapons system for since the early 1980’s on his
own. In order to improve upon the curriculum, in 2006 he joined Aikido Association of America (AAA) and additionally
incorporated proper posture to generate power from a static position, additional weapons technique and more explicit
explanation and study of principles. AAA was founded by Fumio Toyoda Sensei, with the purpose in mind to elevate
the level of training in Aikido in this country.
level of practice to local residents in Westchester County, NY. He began Aikido training in 1978, specifically training in
the headquarters dojo of the United States Aikido Federation, the New York Aikikai, under both Yoshimitsu Yamada
and Seiichi Sugano from 1983 to 2006. His training began with basic physical movements under Yamada Sensei, and
he then pursued advanced elements of timing as well as basic strategy extensively from Sugano Sensei since 1996.
Simultaneously, over a 17 year period he took 30 days of seminar classes in the U.S. with Morihiro Saito, one of the
most advanced students of the founder of Aikido, and practiced his weapons system for since the early 1980’s on his
own. In order to improve upon the curriculum, in 2006 he joined Aikido Association of America (AAA) and additionally
incorporated proper posture to generate power from a static position, additional weapons technique and more explicit
explanation and study of principles. AAA was founded by Fumio Toyoda Sensei, with the purpose in mind to elevate
the level of training in Aikido in this country.
Scarsdale Aikido
4 Gray Rock Rd
Scarsdale, NY 10583
914-648-0492
Contact Us
4 Gray Rock Rd
Scarsdale, NY 10583
914-648-0492
Contact Us
Toyoda Sensei Sugano Sensei Yamada Sensei
As taught, there are two methods of learning Aikido – the practice of Aikido itself and the study of other forms of
knowledge, using the insight developed to better perceive the principles of Aikido. Recognizing other opportunities to
study, Steve wrestled for 5 years, and practiced the following martial arts alongside his Aikido training: Jujitsu 5 years,
Karate 4 years, Tai Chi from 1999 to present. He has been active in martial training since 1973. To study principles,
he began the study of Chinese Zen for 10 years under a senior practitioner who stopped teaching in the United States
due to health concerns. 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)
knowledge, using the insight developed to better perceive the principles of Aikido. Recognizing other opportunities to
study, Steve wrestled for 5 years, and practiced the following martial arts alongside his Aikido training: Jujitsu 5 years,
Karate 4 years, Tai Chi from 1999 to present. He has been active in martial training since 1973. To study principles,
he began the study of Chinese Zen for 10 years under a senior practitioner who stopped teaching in the United States
due to health concerns. 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)
Chief Instructor, Steve Kanney, executing various techniques
| Aikido Westchester: Martial Arts Training in Westchester County NY Aikido Westchester Instructor & Lineage |
Adult Aikido Instruction
Kid's Aikido Instruction
Instructors/Lineage
Dojo Location
Class Schedule & Dues
FAQ
Kid's Aikido Instruction
Instructors/Lineage
Dojo Location
Class Schedule & Dues
FAQ
| 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. |
Nathalis G.Wamba started martial arts training at the age of six. He practiced Judo for over 15 years and
switched to Aikido. He joined the New York Aikikai in 1982 where he trained under the tutelage of Yomitsu Yamada
Sensei and Seichi Sugano Sensei. Over these years, he participated in multiple Aikido seminars in the US and
abroad, focusing on instruction from Sugano Sensei and Tamura Sensei. His concentration on the training methods of
Sugano Sensei, a critical aspect of the dojo's curriculum, offers another perspective. Additionally, his training with
Tamura Sensei, the senior most practitioner of Aikido in the western hemisphere, is particularly beneficial. Along with
Aikido he has also practiced Kendo and Kyudo.
In January 2010, he joined Scarsdale Aikido. Nathalis is a faculty member at Queens College and lives with his wife
and their two children in Hastings on Hudson, New York.
Pictures forthcoming...
switched to Aikido. He joined the New York Aikikai in 1982 where he trained under the tutelage of Yomitsu Yamada
Sensei and Seichi Sugano Sensei. Over these years, he participated in multiple Aikido seminars in the US and
abroad, focusing on instruction from Sugano Sensei and Tamura Sensei. His concentration on the training methods of
Sugano Sensei, a critical aspect of the dojo's curriculum, offers another perspective. Additionally, his training with
Tamura Sensei, the senior most practitioner of Aikido in the western hemisphere, is particularly beneficial. Along with
Aikido he has also practiced Kendo and Kyudo.
In January 2010, he joined Scarsdale Aikido. Nathalis is a faculty member at Queens College and lives with his wife
and their two children in Hastings on Hudson, New York.
Pictures forthcoming...