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Tetsushinkan Instructors

Paul Smith - 6th Dan
Dojo Leader and main instructor.

Through my teaching I aim to give participants an insight into the fundamental principles and practices of Budo (martial arts) as well as developing their dexterity and technical ability. Budo facilitates a safe and supportive format within which to challenge and manage ourselves - to overcome some of our limitations while addressing our inner equilibrium. Centring, respiratory control and adaptability are essential aspects of Budo which inform and underpin the martial techniques and are, therefore, central to my methodology.

Aikido techniques involve sophisticated manipulation of joints and balance - through my approach I aim to impart a greater awareness of how the body functions and support improved levels of articulation among our members. Eventually practitioners should be able to spontaneously perform effective techniques in response to a broad range of holding and striking attacks. In order to accomplish this I encourage my students to connect with their instincts and act with a sense of purpose. Practicing Kashima No Tachi swordsmanship (kenjutsu) integrated with Aikido has many benefits, one being the imperative to respond decisively to rapidly changing challenges. I aim to promote in my students the ability to concentrate and focus incisively and to move fluidly and responsively.

My hope is that through my teaching of Budo participants become more self-aware, physically self-confident and psychologically more resilient. Life throws up many and varied challenges - Budo offers a way to tap into our inner resources enhancing our ability to respond appropriately and resolve those challenges within the broader context of our ethics and convictions.

Neil Urquhart 4th Dan

Bio coming soon.

Satoshi Date 2nd Dan

Practicing Aikido and Kashima Shinryu at Tetsushinkan has become the core of my life, deepening the unity of body, mind, and soul. Budo practice shapes my being, fostering self-discipline, patience, adaptability, sensitivity, and self-awareness.

Through Budo, I realize its connection to every aspect of life—much like art, it transforms each action into a pursuit of enlightenment and truth. My body becomes a vessel for my inner spirit's purest expression. This practice also grounds me in the awareness of life and death, connecting me to nature and stabilizing my humanity.

Budo cultivates a presence that sharpens the quality of my actions, making every moment an expression of art. My journey is to uncover life's deeper truths and share them through patience, discipline, respect, and self-acceptance—qualities vital for personal growth and societal harmony.

By continuing this path of self-exploration, I strive to live a meaningful life and draw closer to the truths within it.

Rosalie Wahlfrid 2nd Dan

"I started practicing Budo at Tetsushinkan in 2015. My practice and teaching in Budo aims to emphasise fundamental principles such as breath control and awareness of one’s centre of gravity. These can be used to alter and refine your mental and physical state in order to act/react decisively and appropriately. This ability, to be simultaneously charged and ready to act whilst also relaxed and ready to receive is a paradox that fascinates me.

I came to London from Sweden in 2005, since then I have studied and worked as a contemporary dancer, performing and teaching. My dance practice and Budo practice continue to influence each other as movement practices dealing with spatial awareness, states of being and sensory awareness.

My Budo practice filters into virtually all aspects of my life. The basic state of control and awareness that it has helped me develop is pervasive, wether it be my work or my life as a mother. I have made many valuable connections with other members of Tetsushinkan through the years as well as had the opportunities to study with very skilful international teachers and meet other practitioners in the field.

Natsumi Kuroda. 2nd Dan

I was born and raised in Tokyo, where I started practicing budo at Shiseikan in 2015. When I moved to London, I continued my budo journey in Tetsushinkan. Being part of Tetsushinkan has helped me push past my own limits and contribute to the growth of our budo family. This journey has taught me that budo is about so much more than just physical techniques—it's rich in culture and builds a strong sense of community. As an actor, I also love having a regular place where I can centre myself through training, support newcomers, and connect with friends outside of work.

Paul

More about Paul Smith, dojo leader

I began practising Aikido at the age of 14yrs. In 1973, at age 17yrs, I moved to London becoming a live-in-student (Uchideshi) to Chiba Sensei, Director of the British Aikido Federation. I lived with Chiba Sensei and his family for 6 months and trained with him, 10 classes per week plus seminars, for two years. During these early years I also participated in seminars with Tamura Sensei, Director of the Aikikai in France, Kanai Sensei from Boston, Kitaora Sensei, an instructor based in Spain and Sekiya Sensei from Japan. With the support of Chiba Sensei, Kanetsuka Sensei began to develop his own teaching practice and I became his private practice partner and class demonstrator (Uke).

1977-1983 I took a break of 6yrs from Aikido, during which time I trained as a contemporary dancer and then began a career as a professional Contemporary Dance Artist, touring nationally and internationally. In 1983 I resumed my Aikido practice with Kanetsuka Sensei, who was by then the Director of The British Aikido Federation following Chiba Sensei’s departure from the U.K. I was awarded my Shodan in 1984 and was Kanetsuka Sensei’s assistant for about 8yrs.

In 1987 I was awarded a study grant by a dance foundation to travel to Japan to study Aikido and Japanese culture for 4 months. Having taken seminars with him in the U.K. on several occasions, I had an invitation from Yamaguchi Sensei to study in his private dojo in Shibuya. While studying with Yamaguchi Sensei, I was mentored by Sekiya Sensei and had the opportunity to participate in Aikido classes with Noguchi Sensei, who is also a master of Kashima Shin Ryu. At that time I also took regular classes at The Aikikai Hombu Dojo with Yamaguchi Sensei, Endo Sensei, Yasuno Sensei and Osawa Sensei (Osawa Senior). I travelled to Kamakura once per week to take classes with Takeda Sensei, a friend and colleague of Yamaguchi Sensei.

I also made my first contact with The Shiseikan in that year, taking a series of classes with Seki San, at that time a 3rd Dan. There I had the honour to meet Tanaka Sensei, the first Director (Kancho) of Shiseikan and the Aikido and Kashima Shin Ryu master, Inaba Sensei, who later succeeded Tanaka Sensei, becoming the 2nd Director of Shiseikan.

I returned to the U.K. to continue my Dance career and my studies with Kanetsuka Sensei. In 1988 I was awarded my 3rd Dan jointly by Kanetsuka Sensei and Yamaguchi Sensei during a seminar in Oxford.

In 1992, on the recommendation of Sekiya Sensei, my wife, Sasha Roubicek, and I were invited to join a group of just 10 European and American instructors for the first International seminar taught by Inaba Sensei at Shiseikan. In the following year we reciprocated and invited Inaba Sensei to lead an international seminar for 60 participants in Cilgerran, Wales. Later in 1993 we left The British Aikido Federation to form a close relationship with Shiseikan and to follow the teaching of Inaba Sensei.

Inspired by the multi-disciplinary centre founded by Kenji Miyazawa, visited during Inaba Sensei’s seminar in 1993, with the assistance of Robert Cowham, Joe Mulveay and Simon Arridge, in 1998 I founded Movingeast a centre for Dance, Martial Arts and other somatic practices. Inaba Sensei honoured us by leading a ceremonial opening of the centre in the following year. Since 1999 we have hosted many visits by Shiseikan instructors and senior members including Fukutoku Sensei, Watanabe Sensei, Okada Sensei, Horishita Sensei Aoki Sensei, Hashimoto Sensei and Inaba Sensei himself.

In 2009 the International Shiseikan Budo Association was formed and Tetsushinkan was one of its founding member dojos.

Tetsushinkan Dojo and its members have received generous support from Shiseikan, its successive Directors, Instructors and senior practitioners and our relationship is ongoing. Last year we were honoured to host an international seminar led by Fukutoku Sensei, Shinan of Kashima No Tachi, co-taught by Horishita Sensei and assisted by Hiraoka San and Asai San.

Since 1993 my Aikido Dan grades and those of all Tetsushinkan members have been evaluated and endorsed by the successive Directors of Shiseikan (Inaba Sensei, Araya Sensei and currently Udagawa Sensei (ratified and certificated by The Aikikai). Kashima No Tachi awards received by myself and senior members of Tetsushinkan have been made by Inaba Sensei.