Alan Adams, Founder and President of Lifelong Arts has been training in the art of Aikido since 1996. In that time he has trained in the tradition set forth by Fumio Toyoda Shihan (1947—2001). Adams Sensei is currently ranked nidan, (second degree black belt,) and is recognized by the world headquarters of Aikikai, Hombu Dojo, Japan. He is actively training and participating in Aikido seminars and cheerfully prepares for his next black belt test.
Born and raised in Michigan, Adams Sensei moved to Florida in the fall of 2005. He continues traveling throughout the United States and the world seeking out the world’s greatest instructors and finest training experiences. He attended numerous seminars held by Toyoda Shihan, (until his untimely death in 2001,) and participated in the Doshu (current chief instructor of Aikikai, Moriteru Ueshiba) seminar in California in March 2004. He has since trained in Germany, The Netherlands, Spain and Italy.
Adams Sensei has been teaching Aikido since November 2002. He worked with Blaine Feyen Sensei, his instructor of nine years, to build a thriving dojo and cultural center back in Michigan, The Toyoda Center. For many years prior to becoming an Aikido instructor Adams Sensei was a USPTA certified tennis instructor. He maintains a 5.0 playing level. Therefore, for over twenty years Adams Sensei has been touching lives through his instruction. Teaching has been the natural progression of every interest in his life.
Adams Sensei also pursues interests in Japanese painting (shodo,) and Zen meditation.
The founding of The Lifelong Arts Center is the latest challenge that Adams Sensei has accepted on this lifelong journey in teaching.
Adams Sensei continues to pursue his own training with a big heart, beginners mind, and generous spirit. His intention is to pass on the same kind of ethic and belief in Ai-ki principles to his new students.
Aikido strives to transmit universal principles to be used in daily life. “If you don’t take something from your training which you can use in your daily life, then you are missing out on the greater purpose.”
© 2010 Lifelong Arts
