Michael Sheahon, Shihan
Michael Sheahon Shihan (master teacher), seventh-degree black belt, founded the Greater Hartford Aikikai in 1994 and serves as its dojo-cho (head of the dojo). The U.S. Aikido Federation promoted him to the rank of shihan in 2010 — the highest rank awarded by the federation and the Aikikai Foundation, the aikido world headquarters and parent organization for the development of aikido throughout the world.
Sheahon has trained 21 aikido students to ranks between first-degree and fifth-degree black belt. He began practicing aikido in 1972 in Tokyo at Hombu Dojo, the aikido world headquarters, where he trained for 12 years. He began teaching in 1978 when he founded Nonotuck Aikikai in Northampton, Massachusetts, and later served six years as assistant instructor to Seijuro Masuda Shihan, eighth-degree black belt (hachidan), at the International Aikido Club in Tokyo. He founded Aikido-Wichita in Wichita, Kansas, in 1989.
Read an interview with Sheahon Sensei conducted by his students
Ralph J. Martin
Ralph J. Martin, third-degree black belt (sandan) and fukushidoin (assistant instructor), began practicing aikido in 1988. He trained for 26 years under Lorraine DiAnne Sensei in Springfield, Massachusetts, serving as her uchi-deshi (personal assistant) at dozens of seminars, and trained extensively with Chiba Sensei.
Ralph has taught aikido since 1990. He returned to regular training in 2024 under Sheahon Sensei, who awarded him a USAF fukushidoin license in 2025. A professional musician, he brings a performer’s sense of timing to the mat, and his teaching aims to help students remain calm, centered, and connected. He teaches a weekly class at the Greater Hartford Aikikai.
