Our Instructors

Aikido London Dojocho

Ashley Hennessy Sensei (5th Dan) started his formal martial arts training in 1981 and Aikido training in 1984. He has been teaching martial arts in the London area since 1983.
In 2007, Hennessy Sensei was promoted to Godan (5th degree black belt) by Kiyoyuki Terada Shihan. Both his Dan certificate and teaching licenses are registered with the Aikido Yoshinkan Foundation in Tokyo, Japan.
Hennessy Sensei also holds a 5th Dan Black Belt in Taekwon Do and dan rank (black belt) in Shin Arashi Ryu kenjutsu. He has trained and holds rank in Shotokan Karate, Hapki Do, White Crane Kung Fu, Kaze Arashi Ryu kenjutsu, Shinkage Ryu kenjutsu and Toyama Ryu Iaido.
He is employed by a major Canadian Financial Institution in the E-commerce sector.
First Aid and CPR certified.

Club Yudansha

Dwayne Johnson (4th Dan) has a black belt in Gojo Ryu Karate and Shorin Ryu. He started Yoshinkan Aikido in 1999 receiving his Yondan (4th Dan) from Amos Parker Shihan in 2009.
He operates a construction company and is married with two children.
First Aid and CPR certified.

Garry Harper (4th Dan) is a Londoner who earned his Business Management Certificate through Fanshawe College. Garry has been practicing Yoshinkan Aikido since 1997 and holds the rank of 4th Dan.
Being a family man Garry’s son and daughter train at Aikido London with him. “My wife Janette and I give the kids swimming lessons so they will be safe around water. We give them Aikido lessons so that if (Heaven forbid) they are ever attacked, they will be able to defend themselves.”
Garry helps coach Minor League Hockey, raises donations for the Food Bank, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society and has been trained in both First Aid and CPR. Garry makes his living as a Welding/Cutting consultant for Linde Gases.

Bob Trodden (4th Dan) began martial arts training in Kenpo karate in 1996. In 2001 he started Yoshinkan Aikido training under Hennessy Sensei, receiving the rank of Yondan (4th Dan) from Amos Parker Shihan in 2009. Bob also holds rank in Kenpo Karate.
Bob is married with two children and operates a trucking company.
First Aid and CPR certified.

Paul Laxon (3rd Dan) started Yoshinkan Aikido in 2000, a year after his three sons had joined the children's class. He obtained his Shodan from Hennessy Sensei in 2003, his Nidan in 2005, and his Sandan in 2007.
He has a BSc in physics as well as an MEd degree from the University of Western Ontario, and teaches high school math in St. Thomas.
First Aid and CPR certified.

Rob Howe (3rd Dan) began studying Aikido in 1993 achieving the rank of 1st Kyu in 1995. After an eight year absence, Rob returned to Aikido in 2004 and received his Shodan rank from Hennessy Sensei in 2005. A native Londoner, Rob works as a professional engineer and raises a family of three girls with his wife Caroline.
First Aid and CPR certified.

Aaron Steenholdt (3rd Dan) has been studing Yoshinkan Aikido under Hennessy Sensei since 2002. Aaron received his Nidan ranking in 2007, and is registered with the AYF. He got started in Aikido by just visiting the dojo and trying out some introductory classes. Now Aaron enjoys his role as Aikido practitioner and assistant teacher. Aaron's favourite techniques are ones that allow exploration of kotegaeshi.
Aaron is a high school science teacher.
First Aid and CPR certified.

Henry Hung (2nd Dan) emigrated from Taiwan to London in 1970 at the age of 11 years old and has been a Londoner ever since. Since earning his Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science from the University of Western Ontario in 1982 he has worked as an IT professional. Henry started Aikido training in 1996 and has received from Hennessy Sensei the rank of Shodan (1st degree black belt), in 2006 and Nidan( 2nd degree black belt), in 2007. In addition, Henry has trained in Tai Chi for a few years with the London Chinese Association and on his own before starting Aikido training.
First Aid and CPR certified.

Gary Lietch (2nd Dan) began martial arts training in 1982 and holds a 2nd Dan Black Belt in Taekwon Do. He started Yoshinkan Aikido in 2005, training under Hennessy Sensei. He obtained the rank of Shodan in 2007, Nidan in 2008.
Gary is a retired telecommunications worker.
First Aid and CPR certified.