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, from 1983 to 2009. His training emphasized timing of movement under Sugano
Sensei, who is no longer teaching actively in NY at this time. Simultaneously, over nearly a 20 year period he took 30 days of seminar
classes in the U.S. with Morihiro Saito Sensei, one of the most advanced students of the founder of Aikido. Due to professional
obligations at the time, he was unable to become a direct student of Saito Sensei, which would have required a long term stay in
Japan, but he worked to preserve the knowledge he gained on his own. In order to facilitate a shift to the next generation of
instruction in the United States, he reconnected with advanced teachers of Saito's system, notably Hoa Newens Sensei (who
coincidentally studied with Sugano Sensei before Saito Sensei). Morhiro Saito Sensei's approach is to preserve the teaching of the
founder of Aikido, as Saito Sensei studied most intensively during the last 23 years of his life when the founder developed his
weapons system. The emphasis is on direct and effective technique, strong basics, the most advanced weapons system in Aikido and
breathing.
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, from 1983 to 2009. His training emphasized timing of movement under Sugano
Sensei, who is no longer teaching actively in NY at this time. Simultaneously, over nearly a 20 year period he took 30 days of seminar
classes in the U.S. with Morihiro Saito Sensei, one of the most advanced students of the founder of Aikido. Due to professional
obligations at the time, he was unable to become a direct student of Saito Sensei, which would have required a long term stay in
Japan, but he worked to preserve the knowledge he gained on his own. In order to facilitate a shift to the next generation of
instruction in the United States, he reconnected with advanced teachers of Saito's system, notably Hoa Newens Sensei (who
coincidentally studied with Sugano Sensei before Saito Sensei). Morhiro Saito Sensei's approach is to preserve the teaching of the
founder of Aikido, as Saito Sensei studied most intensively during the last 23 years of his life when the founder developed his
weapons system. The emphasis is on direct and effective technique, strong basics, the most advanced weapons system in Aikido and
breathing.
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
Morihiro Saito Sensei Sugano Sensei Hoa Newens 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)
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 |
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 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.
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 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.
Nathalis providing instruction during a typical class
Adult Aikido Instruction
Kid's Aikido Instruction
Instructors/Lineage
Dojo Location
Class Schedule & Dues
FAQ
Mount Vernon Program
Kid's Aikido Instruction
Instructors/Lineage
Dojo Location
Class Schedule & Dues
FAQ
Mount Vernon Program
| Aikido Westchester: Powerful Self Defense through Compassion |
