Instructors

Dennis Main Sensei, Chief Instructor has been studying Aikido for the past 42 years and currently holds the rank of Godan (5th Degree Black Belt) as recognized by the United States Aikido Federation and the Aikikai World Headquarters (Hombu Dojo, Tokyo, Japan). Main Sensei is also a Shidoin (certified senior instructor) appointed by the USAF and Aikikai World Headquarters and oversees testing at Aikido of Charlotte. Main Sensei teaches the advanced classes on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:30PM-8:30PM, and the mixed class on Saturday mornings from 8:30AM-10:00AM. Main Sensei started his Aikido career in 1970 under Andy Demko, 7th Dan, Shihan. Demko Shihan is a long time student of Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan, an uchideshi (live in student) of Aikido Founder, Morihei Ueshiba. With over 41 years of experience, he is the Senior Aikido Teacher in Charlotte, NC and the surrounding area. Dennis also works for TIAA-Cref in Charlotte, NC.

Jonathan Weiner Sensei, Senior Instructor/Dojo Cho has been studying Aikido for the past 12 years and currently holds the rank of Sandan (3rd Degree Black Belt) as recognized by the United States Aikido Federation and the Aikikai World Headquarters (Hombu Dojo, Tokyo, Japan). Weiner Sensei is also a Fukushidoin (certified instructor) appointed by the USAF and Aikikai World Headquarters and sits on the testing committee at Aikido of Charlotte. Weiner Sensei has attended over 71 seminars in the past 11 years. In that time he has had the opportunity to learn from many Shihan (Master Teachers) Weiner Sensei teaches the Beginner class on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30PM-7:30PM and the Aiki Weapons class on some Friday evenings from 6-7PM. He is also the Dojo Cho, running daily operations, setting up seminars and special classes. Jonathan is the CEO of 360Dunamis, boutique marketing & film production company, a partner of Mez Media, a web 2.0 Design company, and the immediate past president of the North Carolina Association of Staffing Professionals. He also conducts training/speaking in his profession.