The Aberdeen Club is a part of Banyu Hatten Aikido Yuishinkai under the supervision of Geoff Flather Sensei, 7th Dan.
Born in 1942 Geoff began studying martial arts from the age of twelve and has fifty years of experience in Japanese martial arts. He has been a full-time professional aikido teacher since 1987 and was awarded the rank of 7th Dan in 2004 by Koretoshi Maruyama Sensei, a former uchi-deshi of the founder of aikido. Flather Sensei regularly travels from his home just outside of Exeter in Devon to teach in Aberdeen.
The club's main technical adviser is Mike Haft Sensei, 2nd Dan.
Originally from London, Mike began practicing Aikido with Geoff Flather Sensei whilst studying at the University of Plymouth in 1997. In 2001 just as he left Plymouth he was awarded his shodan (1st Dan black belt). He then returned to London to study for a Masters degree at Imperial College, where in 2002 with the help of his friend Stephen Cohen, he established the Imperial College Aikido Club and became its instructor.
In 2004 he moved to Aberdeen and is currently studying for a PhD in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Aberdeen. He is currently the senior Banyu Hatten Aikido Yuishinkai instructor in Scotland. In addition to Aikido he also studies Kendo in which he is ranked 1st Kyu, and Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido.
The Dojo Leader in Aberdeen is Jo Duncan, 1st Dan.
From Aberdeen originally, Jo began practicing Aikido at the Aberdeen University Club in 2005, in 2006 he was made an instructor and has had teaching responsibilities in both the Aberdeen City and Aberdeen Unversity clubs. In 2008 he was appointed the Dojo Leader in Aberdeen and he currently oversees all the instruction in the Aberdeen Clubs. In addition to Aikido he also studies Kendo in which he is ranked 1st Dan.
The Deputy Dojo Leader in Aberdeen is Atholl Buchan, 1st Kyu.
From Aberdeen originally, Atholl began practicing Aikido at the Aberdeen University Club in 2005 while studying for a degree in German, he was made an instructor in 2006 and in 2007 he established the Robert Gordon University Aikido Club whilst undertaking post graduate studies there. In 2008 he was appointed as the Deputy Dojo Leader in Aberdeen and helps teach at both the Aberdeen City Club as well as the Robert Gordon University Club.
Assisstant instructor Jennifer Kleine-Albers, 2nd Kyu.
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Assisstant instructor Andy Kenney, 2nd Kyu.
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Assisstant instructor Ian Austin, 2nd Kyu.
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Assisstant instructor Wullie Allan, 2nd Kyu.
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The club is lucky enough to be visited frequently by a number of different Banyu Hatten Aikido instructors on a regular basis, please check the club notices for more information on upcoming visits.
