STEVE PIMSLER | 7TH DAN SHIHAN
Chief Instructor • New York Aikikai
Steve joined the New York Aikikai in 1974 and has been there since. He began teaching at the dojo in 1978. He was soto deshi to Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei and travelled with him as otomo throughout the United States and Europe. As deshi, he had the good fortune to host the visits of Kisshomaru Ueshiba Doshu, Moriteru Ueshiba Doshu, Osawa Sensei, Saito Sensei and Arakawa Sensei of Hombu Dojo. He was the first treasurer of the United States Aikido Federation. In 2003 he became manager of the New York Aikikai and President of the Board of Directors. He has conducted seminars in the United States, Australia and South America and serves on the Technical Committee of the United States Aikido Federation. He assumed the role of Chief Instructor in January 2023, as requested by Yamada Sensei. Steve met his wife, Cheryl, at the New York Aikikai and they have been married for 42 years.