Stewart Shihan Dai has been studying Aikido since 1999.  He started training under Fred Haynes Shihan (7th Dan) and Jim Stewart Shihan (7th Dan) at the Yoshinkan Aikido Seidokan Dojo in Georgetown, ON.  He also started training at Brampton Aikikai under Richard McNeillie Sensei (5th Dan).  Unable to fulfill the desire for more training, Shihan Dai decided to go to Japan. 

For his first 3 years in Japan, Shihan Dai studied various Martial Arts including Aikido, Kendo, Iaido, Jodo, and Aikijiujutsu.  He also participated in the International Yoshinkan Aikido Federation’s International Instructors Course (The Senshusei Program) at the Aikido Yoshinkan Honbu (Head) Dojo, which is a gruelling one year full-time course - 8 hours a day - 5 days a week - training alongside the Tokyo Metro Riot Police.   

Upon completing the Senshusei Course, Shihan Dai was accepted as a Sewanin (assistant to the course).  After the year of Sewanin, Shihan Dai became one of the International Instructors at Honbu Dojo.

In the summer of 2007, Shihan Dai was asked to become the first Uchi-Deshi (live-in student) for Kancho Shioda, the head of the IYAF.   Stewart Shihan Dai lived, worked, taught and trained at the Head Dojo in Ochiai until it was moved to the new Takadanobaba location in 2009 where he then taught as a Honbu Shihan-Dai.     

After 10 years in Japan, Stewart Shihan Dai has returned to the Durham Region area to spread the teachings of Aikido.  We are happy for the privilege of having him here at the Okamikan to share his knowledge and abilities with our students!