Instructors
Stefan Pisocki (sandan/fukushidoin) and John
Hadfield (nidan/fukushidoin). Stefan and John’s black belts are registered
both at the Aikikai Honbu Dojo in Tokyo and The United States Aikido
Federation.
John Hadfield
John Hadfield began his study of aikido
in 1993 under the Rev. Zenko Okimura. He has a background in
boxing, wrestling and judo, has practiced several styles of
aikido, and has been teaching aikido for more than 20 years.
John's classes reinforce the importance of the basic principles of
aikido awareness and posture, breathing and relaxing, entering,
turning, moving off the line of attack, and taking the attacker's
center. He is a Nidan (second degree black belt) and Fukushidoin
(certified instructor) through the United States Aikido
Federation.
John is also a professional entertainer
and dog trainer, and a former circus performer. He is a graduate
of the University of Delaware (Russian language) and The Karen
Pryor Academy for Animal Training and Behavior.
"The founder of aikido said, 'Always
practice aikido in a vibrant and joyful manner.' We try to
keep that positive energy, preserving the traditions of aikido in
a relaxed atmosphere. People come to Diamond State Aikido to
practice hard, learn, and have fun.”
Stefan
Pisocki
Stefan Pisocki began his aikido studies
in 1995. He received his black belt in 2001 and was promoted
to Sandan (third degree black belt) in 2014 by Yamada Yoshimitsu
Shihan. In 2007, He received the position of Fukushidoin
(certified instructor) by the United States Aikido Federation,
becoming the first Fukushidoin in the state of Delaware.
Stefan's specialty and favorite aspect of aikido is the art of
ukemi or receiving a technique.
Stefan is a Registered
Dietitian/Nutritionist with a B.S. in Dietetics and an M.S. in
Human Nutrition from the University of Delaware. His hobbies
are weight lifting, tennis, playing piano, Jeopardy, crossword
puzzles and trivia, and trying to be a good example for his son,
Jon.
"When I began my formal training, I
heard the whispers that my size would prohibit me from mastering
aikido techniques (Stefan is a former United States Drug-Free
Junior, Tall Class Body Building Champion). I do agree that
a smaller person might not have the strength to use as a "bandage"
to cover for bad technique. However, I have known from the
beginning that if I feel muscular exertion, I am doing something
wrong, or at least, I am not doing aikido. The fact of the matter
is that you don't need strength, flexibility, endurance or speed
to do an aikido technique.
Photos..From
a class with guest instructor Henry Smith Sensei, 6th
dan Aikikai of Philadelphia
(Photos by Wendy Lapham)
Contact Us
Diamond State
Aikido
PO Box 1001
Newark, DE 19715
PAL Center (302) 571-4004
John (302) 368-7081
Stefan (302) 547-9179