SHUHARIKAN AIKIDO
FOUNDING OF SHUHARIKAN
In 1995, Gordon Shumaker, Glen Giacoletto and Jon Sharratt, all holders of black belt ranks and teaching licenses in Yoshinkan Aikido, formed the Metro Dojo, and trained and taught at a YMCA facility. On January 15, 1997 the Yoshinkan Honbu certified their dojo as the Shuharikan.
The Shuharikan operates as a non-profit corporation with an unpaid, all-volunteer staff and is committed to offering instruction in the Yoshinkan style of Aikido to men, women, and children. The Shuharikan is dedicated to making the dojo a safe, supportive, non-threatening environment for people of all backgrounds and abilities.
It is the Shuharikan Dojo’s strict policy not to discriminate in any way as to the ethnicity, race, religion, gender, philosophy, beliefs, or personal preferences of any person who trains at the dojo, and to actively prohibit any dojo member from engaging in discriminatory conduct, whether verbal or nonverbal.
TEACHING STAFF
Gordie Shumaker Sensei (Emeritus Instructor) began training in Yoshinkan Aikido in January 1989 at the Kobukan Dojo in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was awarded the rank of shodan and his first teaching license in October 1994, and shortly thereafter began teaching Aikido as an assistant instructor.
In January 1997, he co-founded the Shuharikan Aikido Dojo and helped obtain international certification through the Aikido Yoshinkai Foundation (AYF).
Shumaker Sensei served as a co-chief instructor and holds an international instructor license with authority to grade through 3rd dan. He also coordinates the Shuharikan’s self-protection program known as Aiki-Protect.
In addition to his 30+ years in Yoshinkan Aikido, Shumaker Sensei has trained in the Chinese seizing art of Chin Na and in Tai Chi Chuan
Jon Sharratt Sensei began training in Yoshinkan Aikido in February 1990 at the Kobukan Dojo in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was awarded the rank of shodan and his first teaching license in October 1994, and shortly thereafter he began teaching Aikido as an assistant instructor.
In January 1997, he co-founded the Shuharikan Aikido Dojo and helped obtain international certification through the Aikido Yoshinkai Foundation (AYF).
Sharratt Sensei serves as a co-chief instructor and holds an international instructor license with authority to grade through 3rd dan. He also serves as the dojo lead for the kids’ class curriculum. In addition to his 30+ years in Yoshinkan Aikido, Sharratt Sensei holds rankings in Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, Iaido and Tae Kwon Do. He has also trained in the Chinese seizing art of Chin Na and Bagua.
Glen Giacoletto Sensei (Emeritus Instructor) began training in Yoshinkan Aikido in March 1989 at the Kobukan Dojo in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was awarded the rank of shodan and his first teaching license in April 1995, and shortly thereafter he began teaching Aikido as an assistant instructor.
In January 1997, he co-founded the Shuharikan Aikido Dojo and helped obtain international certification through the Aikido Yoshinkai Foundation (AYF). Giacoletto Sensei served as co-chief instructor and holds an international instructor license with authority to grade through 3rd dan.
In addition to his 30+ years in Yoshinkan Aikido, Giacoletto Sensei holds black belt rankings in Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do (Korean) and Shudokan Karate (Okinawan). Furthermore, he has trained in Shotokan, Kyokushin, Goju-ryu, Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido, and the Chinese seizing art of Chin Na.
Jude Wimberger Sensei began practicing Aikido in January 2001. He was awarded the rank of shodan in May 2021, along with his international instructor license with the authority to grade to 4th kyu.
He also studies with Richard Strozzi-Heckler of Two Rock Aikido in Petaluma, CA, where he holds Brown Belt ranking.
Wimberger Sensei is also an ICF Coach who serves clients as an instructor of Breath Work and Somatic Movement.
Gil Warnacutt Sensei began training in Yoshinkan Aikido in February 1995, at the Renseikan Dojo in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was awarded the rank of shodan in November 2002.
In May 2006, he joined the Shuharikan Dojo where he continues his training in Yoshinkan Aikido.
Warnacutt Sensei serves as an instructor and holds an international instructor certification with the authority to grade through 1st dan.
In addition to his 20+ years in Yoshinkan Aikido, Warnacutt Sensei has also trained in the Chinese art of Chen Taijiquan.
Daniel Dix Sensei began training in Yoshinkan Aikido in November 2016 at the Shuharikan Dojo in St. Paul Minnesota. He was awarded the rank of shodan and his international teaching license, with authority to grade to 4th kyu in August 2021.
Dix Sensei holds a ranking of shodan in Goju-Ryu Karate (Okinawan) and 3rd kyu in Aikibujutsu Aikido. He also holds rankings in Brazilian Jui-Jutsu and Tae Kwon Do, along with training in Judo, Shorinji Kempo, and Shotokan Karate.
The Phong Shumaker Sensei began training in Yoshinkan Aikido on September 2002 at the Shuharikan Dojo in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was awarded the rank of shodan in April 2006 and his first teaching license on August, 2008. He holds an international instructor license with the authority to grade through 1st dan.
Mary Beth Lardizabal Sensei began training in Aikido in February 2007 at the Shuharikan Dojo. She received the rank of shodan in May 2013 and awarded the rank of nidan in December 2016. Lardizabal Sensei holds an international instructor license with authority to grade through 1st kyu.
She has trained in a number of martial arts including Tae Kwon Do, Kenpo Karate, Goju-Ryu Karate, and Tai Chi. Lardizabal Sensei holds the rank of 2nd kyu in Seido Karate and sandan in Matsumura Seito Shorin-Ryu Karate and Kubudo (Okinawa weapons).