Nic Mills Sensei

Sensei Nic Mills was recommended by Mustard Shihan and Sonoda Shihan to be promoted to 7th Dan and to be awarded the title of Shihan (Master Instructor)  in the fall of 2017. The Honbu Dojo grading council approved the recommendation at the bi-annual grading council meeting in June 2018. Mills Shihan is the dojocho (chief instructor) at the Sendokan dojo. Nic has been active in martial arts for over 45 years. He started Judo at age 8 and competed in wrestling in high school, and began training in aikido in 1989 with Roger Plomish sensei (4th dan), under whom he earned his 1st degree black belt in 1993.  In 1994 Nic moved to Japan and enrolled in the 4th International Senshusei course, an intensive and demanding full-time aikido program taught by some of the top ranked aikido teachers in the world. The course is a requirement for Japanese riot police and for instructors at the Hombu Dojo, the head school for Yoshinkan Aikido in Tokyo.  Nic completed the course and in recognition of his commitment, ability, and the respect he earned from instructors at the Hombu, Nic was awarded the position of Seiwanin (liaison) in 1995 and Itaku Shidoin (part-time instructor) from 1996-1997. While in Japan Nic trained with several top instructors, including Inoue Kyoichi Shihan (10th dan), Chida Tsutomu Shihan (8th dan), and Robert Mustard Shihan (7th dan). Nic’s black belt ranks were awarded by Inoue, Chida, and Mustard Shihan, and he holds instructor certificates from the International Yoshinkan Aikido Federation (IYAF).

Together with John Havey (5th dan), Nic founded the Sendokan dojo in 1998. Nic is involved in all aspects of training at the Sendokan dojo, including youth, family, and adult classes, weapons, defensive applications, and self-defence. In addition, Nic also teaches the Kenshusei or advanced classes, including the three-level specialized Senshusei Kenshu which is an intensive program that is unique to the Sendokan dojo. This program is designed for those interested in becoming instructors or in becoming more involved in developing their expertise and commitment to training and teaching.

Nic is an avid outdoorsman, and in his spare time enjoys extensive camping trips and time with his family in the Great Outdoors!

John Havey Sensei

Sensei John Havey is a 6th degree black belt and senior instructor and founder of the Sendokan dojo. John began his aikido training in 1990 under Roger Plomish sensei (4th dan), earning his 1st degree black belt along with Nic Mills in 1993. John was awarded his 4th degree black belt by Chida Tsutomu Shihan (8th dan) and he was awarded his 5th degree black belt by Robert Mustard Shihan (7th dan). His early years of training involved rigorous daily classes in Etobicoke, Toronto, and Hamilton with an equal focus on tachi waza (hand-to-hand techniques) and buki waza (weapons techniques). John holds instructor certificates from the International Yoshinkan Aikido Federation (IYAF).

In the dojo John is involved with teaching adult classes and the advanced Kenshu classes. John is a recognized technical and weapons expert in the dojo. His technical skills embrace Chida Shihan’s approach to aikido, and he is active in teaching traditional aikido weapons such as the katana (sword), jo staff, and tanto (knife).

John has an extensive background in software development and is currently a senior program manager for a large German company working with telecoms.  In addition to aikido, John enjoys playing jazz piano and is a golf enthusiast.

Peter Morawski

Sensei Peter Morawski is a 3rd degree black belt and instructor at the Sendokan dojo. He is also a senior instructor of the youth and family classes.  Peter began training in in 2003 under Nic Mills (6th dan) and John Havey (5th dan). He was awarded his black belt ranks by Robert Mustard Shihan (7th dan).  Peter has completed all levels of Senshusei Kenshu at the Sendokan dojo.

Peter is responsible for organizing and teaching the youth program, in addition to teaching adult classes.

Peter is the co-owner of a custom woodworking company and the dojo’s de facto handyman. Outside of the dojo Peter is an avid camper and canoeist with interests in edged weapons and calligraphy.

Vera Souza

Info about Vera coming soon!

Nathan Innocente

Sensei Nathan Innocente is a 6th degree black belt and senior instructor at the Sendokan dojo. Nathan has been training in martial arts for over 20 years. He began training in aikido in 1994 with Jim Jeannette sensei  (7th dan), under whom he earned his 1st and 3rd degree black belts and completed a 12-month kenshu (advanced training) program. He was awarded his 2nd degree black belt by Chida Shihan (8th dan), his 4th degree black belt by Chida Shihan (8th dan) and Mustard Shihan (7th dan), and his 5th degree black belt by Mustard Shihan (7th dan) and Thambu Shihan (7th dan). Nathan was an assistant instructor at the Aiki Centre of Canada by age 19 and an assistant and chief instructor at the University of Windsor Aikido club. He founded the University of Toronto Mississauga Aikido club in 2008. Nathan holds instructor certificates from the International Yoshinkan Aikido Federation (IYAF). Having a broad interest in martial arts, Nathan has cross-trained in several styles including karate, kung fu, boxing, kickboxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and submission wrestling.

In the dojo Nathan is responsible for teaching adult classes and he has assisted with the advanced Kenshu classes.  He also teaches practical applications at the Sendokan, uniting his aikido training with his varied background in martial arts.

Nathan is a professor of criminology and sociology at the University of Toronto Mississauga where he specializes in fraud, identity crime, law, and pedagogy. Aside from martial arts and intellectual pursuits he has interests in culinary arts. Nathan is a former member of the Canadian Forces Navy.