Susan Newton Sensei began her aikido training in 1992 in California. Great good fortune landed her in Japan in 1999, where she trained for 10 years as a student of the late Hiroshi Kato, Shihan (8th dan) at his Suginami Aikikai dojo in Tokyo, Japan. She maintained a close student/teacher relationship with Kato Shihan until his death in 2012.
After her return to the States in 2009, she attended numerous seminars when Kato Shihan visited America and she graciously facilitated Kato Shihan teaching a seminar at BMAI in 2012, a truly historic event for our school. Newton Sensei was awarded the rank of Aikido 4th dan from Kato Shihan and continues her close association with Suginami Aikikai in Tokyo, Japan.
In addition to her aikido training, she spent nine of her years in Japan studying Toda-ha buko-ryu naginata-jutsu, and is ranked Chuden from Nitta Suzuyo, Soke. She continues her training with Soke-dairi Kent Sorensen after the passing of Nitta Soke in 2008.
Susan Newton currently teaches aikido in her private dojo in Portland, Oregon, which is called Front Room Dojo and she is a visiting teacher for Aikido of Eugene at Best Martial Arts Institute. She regularly trains and shares her experience in the Saturday morning classes.
PacMAC Instructor – 2017-2020