The Instructor

The Sensei (instructor) at Aikido of Ashland, KY is Tom Berry. Berry Sensei has been training in martial arts for 40 years. He began practicing Judo at age 12 under Bob Duncan Sensei in Ashland, KY, and became the assistant instructor at the Ashland Area Y.M.C.A.. Berry also studied Shotokan Karate, and Shoalin Kung Fu.

In 1981 Tom was introduced to Ariff Mehter Sensei and began studying Aikido. Mehter Sensei, began practicing Aikido in his home country of Burma. When he came to the United States he trained with Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan and Mitsunari Kanai Shihan. Both Yamada Sensei and Kanai Sensei were uchi deshi (live in students) of Morihei Ueshiba, O Sensei, the founder of Aikido.

Tom is married to his college sweetheart Kathy, and is the proud father of Robby Berry. A sales rep. by day, percussionist by night. Aikido, and the friendships he has made through Aikido over the years, are core components to his life.

Berry Sensei currently holds the rank of Godan (5th degree black belt), and is a Shidoin of the United States Aikido Federation.