Instructor Profile - Paul Shepherd Current grade: Yondan so Hombu Paul began his Aikido practice in 1977 at Slough Aikido Club and Oxford where he gained his Shodan with Kenetsuka Sensei in 1987. A great influence in Paul's life has been Mr. Smith and in 1989 Paul became a member of the West Midlands Aikikai, later the UKA.   In 1991 Paul graded to Nidan with Chiba Sensei, and in 1997 Sandan with Mr. Smith. He has been Fuku Shidoin (Assistant National Coach) since 1988 and also has British Aikido Board recognition as Coach and Children's Coach.   Paul has been privileged to train with a number of Japanese Sensei's during his 25 years (so far) practicing Aikido, among them are Chiba Shihan, Shibata, Tamura, Yamada, Asai, Kitaura, Saito, Sugano, Fujita, Ikeda, Kanetsuka, one of the highlights being Moriteru Ueshiba at Summer School 1992.   In more recent years Paul's Aikido career has not only been influenced by some of the great Japanese Senseis but also by Peter Brady and when the UKA House System began, Slough Aikido Club affiliated to Myo Shin Juku House headed by Brady Sensei.   Domo Arigato Sensei! The following article appeared in the Slough Observer in November 2002:   "A martial arts instructor was thanked by his pupils this week.Paul Shepherd has been coaching the Japanese self-defence art of Aikido at the Rotunda Stadium, in Belfast Avenue, Slough for more than 20 years. This week he was presented with two Samurai swords by club members as a thank you for all his hard work over the years.   Assistant coach David Hill said: "Paul really deserves it for everything he has done. He is a highly-regarded coach and has achieved his fourth dan in Aikido , which is a very high level. We just wanted to do something to say thank you."   Aikido was developed in the early 20th Century from several other Japanese martial arts. There are 20 members in the club which shares its space with judo and boxing clubs."   Top