Kazuo Igarashi Shihan — 8th Dan,Technical Director
Born in 1946, Igarashi Sensei began Aikido in 1964 at the Meiji University Aikido Club under the instruction of Yasuo Kobayashi Sensei. In 1973 he became one of the leading uchi-deshi at Kobayashi Dojos serving as a teaching assistant. In 1983 he established Aikido Igarashi Dojo in the Tokyo Kanagawa area where he regularly teaches at his six dojos as well as overseas in Europe, USA, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Taiwan and Korea. Igarashi Sensei has often visited Calgary Aikikai from Tokyo to hold seminars and teaching workshops. The day-to-day teaching is conducted by Inaba Sensei’s senior students. Igarashi Shihan’s Website
Adult Class Instructor Team
Arran Fisher — 5th Dan, Dojo-cho
Arran began training in aikido under Inaba Sensei in 1995, primarily as a way to get exercise that was also creative and fun, while earning a degree in philosophy and creative writing. Soon, he was entranced with the beauty and power of aikido and the Japanese approach to learning and self-improvement. He strives to always make the dojo a welcoming, safe and fun place to learn for anyone who brings a sincere interest in the art. His practice has taken him to dojos as far away as Qatar, Germany, the UK, USA, and a few visits to Japan, so he brings a diverse background to the classes he teaches, while staying true to the teaching of our dojo’s founder. In 2024, he received promotion to 5 Dan, with the support of Kazuo Igarashi Shihan. He hopes that he can instill in his students the desire to follow aikido’s thread for a whole lifetime. As Dojo-cho, Arran is responsible for membership considerations and the day-to-day operations of the dojo.
Arran is an avid musician, music producer and sound technician, who enjoys excellent coffee and the occasional dram of single malt.
Chris Hayward — 5th Dan
Chris started training in 1996 with Yasuhisa Inaba Shihan, and they became very close friends. Sensei was always so calm and had a very happy disposition. “Treat people with respect, train hard, and have fun!” The basics that Sensei taught us stay deeply ingrained in the mind and by following his teachings, he is never far away. Chris served as Calgary Aikikai Dojo-cho for 20 years. He has travelled to both Japan and Hawai’i twice, with Sensei and other students to train and visit our “brothers” in Aikido. Aikido has became a religion and a lifestyle. Just as many people make sure they go to church every Sunday, Chris spends his time training students and learning from other instructors, while being watched by the portrait of Inaba Shihan that is set out at the front of every class in his memory.
Chris’s other interests include watching the rest of his family play soccer, traveling to other countries, music and photography
Shane Fielder — 5th Dan
Shane began his aikido training in 1994, in his hometown of Edmonton. Over the years, Shane has had the opportunity to attend seminars and train under prominent aikido teachers throughout North America. In 2009, he moved to Calgary as part of a career promotion. Shane chose to train at Calgary Aikikai given his training experiences with Inaba Sensei. Prior to joining Calgary Aikikai, Shane was affiliated with Northern Alberta Aikikai and the California Aikido Association. Through his teaching, Shane communicates the importance of the principles behind all aikido techniques.
Andrew Barron — 4th Dan
Andrew was born in England and raised in Alberta, graduated from the University of Alberta, and is currently retired and living in Canmore. At 49 years of age, after four years of hapkido and a few broken noses, he sought a martial art that challenged his mind as much as his body. He met Inaba Sensei at Calgary Aikikai and discovered aikido in 2000. Andrew’s initial goal was to get his shodan (black belt) before reaching his mid-fifties. After a few months, however, it was no longer the belt, but rather the challenge of slowly discovering as much as he could about this unique martial art. Under the guidance of Inaba Sensei, he worked his way through the ranks, achieving his shodan in 2006. Following his sensei’s passing, he continued to study and test under Igarashi Sensei of Hashimoto, Japan. Andrew has found aikido to be one of the greatest challenges he has undertaken. “Aikido requires focus, study and perseverance to develop an understanding of its intricacies. It is a unique combination of philosophical, physical and intellectual experiences. Through my time practicing I have discovered that the dojo is not a place to simply come for a workout, but rather a place to practice skills and patience, while learning with others in a cooperative setting.”
Andrew has a passion for photography, especially in the mountains around his hometown: www.andrewbarron.ca
Beau Calvez — 4th Dan
Beau began his aikido journey in 1999, drawn to the art’s fluid movements and the non-combative philosophy behind it. Over the years, Beau has developed a deep appreciation for ukemi, the art of receiving techniques. He believes that ukemi is one of the most crucial aspects of Aikido, as it teaches practitioners how to fall safely, maintain balance, and develop resilience. Beau emphasizes that the life long pursuit of mastering ukemi not only enhances one’s ability to perform techniques effectively but also fosters a deeper understanding of the dynamic relationship between uke (receiver) and nage (thrower). As an instructor, Beau is dedicated to creating a supportive and challenging environment where students can explore the depths of aikido.
Outside the dojo, Beau enjoys hiking, cooking, and exploring different cultures through travel.