Shindai Aikikai Dojo Senior Instructors
Steve Fasen Sensei / ASU 6th dan (Rokudan), Ueshiba Juku
Senior Instructor & Chief Instructor of Shindai Dojo
Stephen (Steve) Fasen Sensei (6th dan) trains as a senior Yudansha of the Aikido Schools of Ueshiba. He has been training Martial Arts since 1980. He holds Yudansha ranking in JKA Shotokan Karate under R. Fussaro (MKA) and Hidetaka Nishiyama (JKA). He started Aikido training under D. Hooker Sensei & M Saotome Sensei (ASU) in 1988. He was promoted most recently to Aikido Rokudan (6th dan) in 2018. Fasen Sensei also bears Saotome Sensei’s personal Ueshiba Juku designation, presented in 2012.
Raised in Minnesota, Fasen Sensei attended St. John’s University, St. Cloud State College, and St. Cloud State University (MN), earning degrees in Art Education (BA k-12) and Ceramics & Watercolor (MS). He taught at the Sr/Jr. high school levels for 8 years, also developing art education curriculum for several school districts. While doing undergrad studies in ceramics he studied in Japan under living national treasure Shimaoka Tatsuzo. It was in Japan that the first brush with Aikido and Budo principles took place. In his opinion it is indelible in the Japanese Fine Arts, and resident in his own work. Fasen Sensei transitioned from his (spiritually rewarding but financially challenging) teaching career to non-academic business pursuits in 1979. All art based endeavors, he founded Fasen Arts, Inc., and several additional companies between 1979-2005, which brought the family to Orlando in 1988.
His martial journey transitioned to full time Aikido in 1989, continuing unbroken at Shindai. Over that time Steve Sensei has trained and taught under, and with, all ASU senior instructors, as well as a diverse group instructors within the U.S. and around the globe. His primary influences began with the late Dennis Hooker Shihan and David Jones Sensei of Shindai dojo, and remains with M. Saotome Shihan of the ASU and Hiroshi Ikeda Sensei. He is quick to claim the great debt he owes to all of the teachers it has been his honor to train with.
In addition to remaining an active member of the ASU Aikido and Budo communities, Fasen Sensei has continued to be involved in Art education, educational art programs support, as a lecturer and partner in education. He is also active within various local charities, community organizations, past president of local Rotary, and national Veterans fundraising affiliations through the Warrior Rider MC and the Warrior Shield Foundation. He also works in his own ceramic studio, illustration, design, and other artistic pursuits.
Fasen Sensei has been married to his wife, Wendy, for over 50 years. He is blessed with three grown children and seven grandchildren who lovingly call him Ada.
Brian Canin Sensei / Senior Instructor
ASU 6th Dan (Rokudan), Ueshiba Juku
Brian Canin Sensei is a designated senior instructor at Shindai Dojo. He started training Aikido in 1988 and became a Shindai student in 1989. He received Rokudan (6thDan) from Mitsugi Saotome Shihan in 2018. He continues to teach and train regularly as a dedicated martial artist. His martial arts involvement goes back to his childhood in South Africa.
He a native of Johannesburg, South Africa, and earned his Architecture Degree from the University of Witwatersrand and a master’s degree in Urban Design from Harvard University. Today, Brian Sensei is an architect of international repute who specializes in providing solution-oriented community planning, urban design, and landscape architecture.
Time has not dimmed Brian Sensei’s energy, effort or ambitions. He is inspirational in his professional capacity and in the greater Aikido community. When not teaching and training in Aikido, he also attends seminars around the US. Brian is still actively working as an architect, traveling, sailing and skiing. Brian Sensei dedicates time to community support organizations and charities. His philanthropic nature and work with architectural students are particularly remarkable. He lives in Winter Park, Florida with his lovely wife, Myrna. He has two grown children and four grandchildren.
Experience vigorous and spirited learning.