User:Rednook/Sandbox

H W Foster 7th dan Technical Director Institute of Aikido Worldwide (Born 8th May 1927). Sensei Foster was introduced to Aikido whilst taking his son to a judo class at the Hut dojo late in 1956. Whilst watching Abbe Sensei and his first two students, Ken and David Williams practising, something about the grace and power of the movement struck a chord within him, and he soon joined this small core of 'original" Abbe students that were to be the source of much UK Aikido for years to come.

Sensei Haydn Foster is the Principal Coach of the Institute of Aikido which is in turn a founder member of the British Aikido Board (BAB).

Sensei Foster began his aikido training some time towards the end of 1956/beginning of 1957 at the Hut Dojo, near Heathrow. He was awarded 1st Dan by Kenshiro Abbe Sensei in 1960, and 2nd Dan by Mutsuharu Nakazono Sensei in 1962, one of the oldest Hombu grading certificates in the UK. He was awarded 3rd Dan by Masamichi Noro Sensei in 1969.

In 1973, following the demise of the Renown Aikido Society (1966-1969), Foster Sensei was approached by the ex- members and asked to reconstruct the society as the Institute of Aikido. Now 7th Dan (IA) Mr. Foster continues to teach at the Hut, directs the annual institute of Aikido Summer School and makes regular teaching tours of New Zealand, especially the Auckland area where there are three well established Institute of Aikido clubs.

In June 2007, Sensei’s and students from many different organisations gathered together for a major UK course to honor and celebrate Mr. Foster’s 50th year in Aikido and his 80th Birthday.