William Gleason Shihan 7th Dan
William Gleason Shihan, the founder of Shobu Aikido, studied Aikido from 1970 to 1980 at the main world headquarters under Seigo Yamaguchi Sensei, one of the most gifted students of the founder.
Gleason Sensei founded Shobu Aikido, Inc. in 1980 in Boston, Massachusetts, and there are presently five Shobu affiliate dojos from the Midwest to the East Coast. His latest book is Aikido and Words of Power: The Sacred Sounds of the Kototama. He is also the author of The Spiritual Foundations of Aikido, which has been translated into four languages.
His first DVD, Aikido and Japanese Sword, shows how the movements in traditional swordwork and those in Aikido barehanded techniques are essentially one and the same. His second, William Gleason at Aikido Eastside, explores the secrets of aiki hidden within Aikido techniques.
Jay Rinsen Weik Sensei 6th Dan, Guiding Instructor
Jay Rinsen Weik Sensei is a Rokuodan (6th degree black belt) in Aikido and is the founder and guiding teacher of Shobu Aikido of Ohio. Bill Gleason is the founder and guiding teacher of Shobu Aikido with affiliates in Vermont, Ohio, and Massachusetts.
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He began his study of the martial arts with Karate in 1977, and in 1987 began his study of Aikido with Bill Gleason Shihan at Shobu Aikido of Boston. In 2001 he moved back to his hometown of Toledo to found Shobu Aikido of Ohio, and in 2005 began co-leading intensive Shobu Okugyo retreats with Gleason Shihan which focused on Kototama and Aiki Principle.
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In 2023 he was awarded the rank of Rokudan (6th Degree Black Belt) by Gleason Shihan, recognized by Honbu Dojo in Japan.
Jay appears extensively in Gleason Sensei's 2001 Video 'Aikido and Japanese Sword' as well as his 2009 book 'Aikido and Words of Power.'
Jay has studied with Mitsugi Saotome Shihan at numerous Seminars and also studied internal power and Aiki training briefly with Dan Harden.
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Jay Sensei is also a recognized Roshi in the Zen tradition and one of the founding Guiding Teachers at the Zen Buddhist Temple of Toledo and serves as Abbot of the Temple. He is a Professor of Music at the University of Toledo focusing on Jazz Studies and Guitar. He has been married since 1996 to Karen Weik who he met at Shobu Aikido of Boston, who is a Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt) in Aikido, and together they have raised a lovely daughter, Isabella Weik.
Andrew Jogen Lesniewicz, 4th Dan Head Instructor and Dojo Cho
Andrew Jogen Lesniewicz is currently the Head Instructor and Dojo Cho at Shobu Aikido of Ohio. Andrew began studying Aikido with Jay Weik Sensei in 2005 and currently holds the rank of Yandan (4th degree black belt) testing under William Gleason Shihan. Jay Rinsen Weik Sensei transferred ownership of the dojo in Spring of 2022 to continue in the lineage and vein passed down from Bill Gleason Shihan. Jay Sensei remains the guiding instructor of the dojo with Bill Gleason Shihan Our dojo is affiliated with Aikido Schools of Ueshiba and Mitsugi Saotome Shihan
When not practicing Aikido, Andy works as a Licensed Professional Clinical counselor in private practice and co-owner of the Karuna House LLC as well. Andy specializes in treating trauma, holding Level 3 Certification in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and certification in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) as well as training in hypnotherapy. ​
Barry Whittaker, Youth Instructor
Barry Whittaker began practicing Aikido in 1999 and has trained for over 14 of the years since, exploring Kung Fu, Tai Chi, yoga, and travel during his time away from the mat. He enjoys the energy, curiosity, and laughter that kids bring to the dojo. Outside the dojo, Barry is an artist, musician, and educator who believes learning is most powerful when it’s both playful and practical.
Nova Bitner, Youth Instructor
Nova Bitner began practicing Aikido in 2017. They enjoy bringing the experience of playful connection and grounded experience to the next generations. Outside of the dojo, Nova is the administrator for Karuna House, a dancer, an artist, and plans to continue to expand into education within the somatic arts.