Steve Fasen Sensei (ASU Godan)
Stephen A. Fasen was schooled in Minnesota, attending St. John’s University, St. Cloud State College and St. Cloud State University. While little of the saintliness of his parochial experiences wore off, he did graduate with a BS in Art Education (K-12) and a MA+40 in fine arts in Ceramics & Watercolor. Leveraging the degrees, and jeopardizing the intellectual development of Sr/Jr. High school students, he developed art education curriculum and taught art in the 70′s. During that period he had his first brush with Japanese culture while studying ceramics, studying in Japan under (now) living national treasure Tatsuzo Shimaoka.
Teaching proved to be spiritually rewarding, but detrimental to his financial well being, so Steve made a transition to non-academic pursuits. He founded Fasen Arts, Inc. and went into private business in 1979. He currently operates several companies out of Orlando with locations around the United States. He continued to be involved in secondary and post secondary education through sponsored scholarships, program support, as a lecturer and as partner in education. In addition, he is active with a number of charities and memberships in community organizations, including administrative positions with International Rotary.
Steve was introduced to Budo and Japanese martial arts by a fellow arts instructor, who was a Sandan in Shotokan Karate. He started training JKA Shotokan in 1980 under Scott Karakas and Robert Fusaro Sensei. He received his Shodan rank from Hidetaka Nishiama in 1987 and continued his studies in that art full time through 1992. In 1988 Steve moved to Orlando, Florida. In 1990 Steve was introduced to Aikido and Dennis Hooker Sensei. After a cautious beginning he found the elements that had been missing in his Karate training and settled in to train Aikido full time.
Fasen Sensei trains throughout the US, and abroad. Besides his teacher, primary influences include M. Saotome Shihan, Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan, Frank Duran Shihan, Francis Takahashi Sensei, George Ledyard Sensei, Kevin Choate Sensei. In addition his extensive relationships with a diverse group of Aikidoka and instructors around the country have made his training rich and rewarding. Fasen Sensei continues to train actively as a senior Yudansha in the ASU. He is a senior student of Dennis Hooker Sensei, a senior instructor and the Dojo Cho of Shindai Aikikai Aikido Dojo, Orlando.
Fasen Sensei was promoted to Godan by Mitsugi Saotome Shihan in 2010.
Steve Fasen currently resides in Windermere, Fl with his gorgeous wife of 42+ years, and an unappreciative dog. He happily applies his Aiki principles to a great family and interacts most affectively with his four marvelous grandchildren.