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About the Instructors
Chief Instructor John Araujo Shihan
6th Degree Black Belt in Aikido, he is also the Founder and President of the Bushido Tenshin Aikido Federation and is the State & New England Aikido Representative for the International Independent Martial Artists Association.
He has over 40 years martial arts experience and began his Martial Art career in 1979 at age 6 under John Almeida (Hanshi) 8th dan, Shotokan Karate, boxing and judo with whom he studied for 10 plus years.
At the age of 17 he was introduced to the Martial Art of Aikido, where he went on to train under Jack Leonardo Sensei at the New Bedford Aikikai, who was a student of Kanai Sensei, Koichi Tohei, and Yamada Sensei.
After Leonardo Sensei's passing Araujo Shihan joined Aikido Wellness Center in Dartmouth Ma. under Don Cardoza Sensei for several years.
Among Araujo Shihan's time training at New Bedford Aikikai he enjoyed instruction from high rank instructors from Japan and the U.S.
In early 2000 Araujo Shihan attended a Tenshin Aikido Seminar in Florida. Araujo Shihan trained for several years in Tenshin Aikido until when he realized he had obtained all the knowledge available to him from his former Shihan.
Resigning from his former Shihan, the Aikikai and the Dai Nippon Butoku Kai, Araujo Shihan started a new chapter in his Tenshin Aikido career.
With the Tenshin Aikido of Haruo Matsuoka Sensei, Santos Sensei, Elliot Freeman Sensei and Craig Dunn Sensei, Araujo Shihan began to spread Steven Seagal's Shihan style of Aikido.
Araujo Shihan also has experience in Judo, Daito-ryu Aikijutsu,Tactical Law Enforcement training, Finger locks, Pressure points, Lethal and non-lethal force, and Weapons training.
Araujo Shihan is an inspiring teacher and and holds a deep passion for the power of Aikido. While Aikido is often refered to as a light art, Araujo Shihan has unlocked technique with tremendous power. His unique approach can add power and directness to any technique.
Today Araujo Shihan and travels throughout the country teaching and sharing his Tenshin Aikido. No only is Araujo Shihan a member of the I.I.M.A.A, I.M.A.F. & several other martial arts organizations, he is a technical Aikido advisor and representative for the International Independent Martial Artists Association. http://iimaa.net/representatives/
In Araujo Shihan's private time he enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking and quality time with his wife and family.
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Asst. Instructor & General Manager Joshua Hatcher (Soto-Deshi)
Joshua Hatcher received his 4th degree black belt (Yondan) & his Shidoin certificate under Araujo Shihan.
Joshua met Shihan John Araujo on June 1st 2013 at an open Friendship Seminar and by Christmas time had moved to New Bedford MA to study Tenshin Aikido full time as the first soto-deshi student.
Hatcher began martial arts training as a child from a family friend visiting from Japan who taught kenjutsu/iaijutsu (swordsmanship) and karate/kickboxing.
Hatcher later enlisted in the US Navy, travelled extensively, and holds Yudansha ranks in Wado-ryu Karate, Bujinkan Ninjutsu, and Eishin-ryu Iaijutsu.
Josh oversees the Kids training and is a mentor & motivator to all members, in addition to serving as a dojo soto-ueshi deshi, asst. instructor and managing operations.
Hatcher is also an amateur musician and runs a non-profit scholarship fund for Ovarian Cancer Awareness and Women's Gynecological Health with the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition.
Asst. Instructor Guido Medeiros
Guido Medeiros received his 4th degree black belt (Yondan) & his Shidoin certificate under Araujo Shihan.
Guido was always interested in martial arts, In 1974 after watching an Aikido class by Jack Leonardo Sensei at the New Bedford Aikikai, inspiration struck and Guido decided to try Aikido. After the first class Guido was addicted and started his Aikido journey.
In 1977 having a busy life with school, work and family Guido had to take a leaving from the dojo. Then in 2009 Guido found Aikido Of Bristol County and met John Araujo Sensei. After watching a class Guido was hooked and became a member and a direct student of Araujo Sensei. In addition Guido has rank and experiance in Goju Ryu Karate.
Guido remains focused on polishing his technical capabilities, but also leverages his training to gain a greater sense of awareness of himself and others.
Guido enjoys bicycling, running, dancing and carpentry.
ASST. INSTRUCTOR Mike Cragin
Mike Cragin received his 2nd degree black belt (Nidan) under Araujo Shihan.
Mike was always interested in martial arts but wasn't sure what he wanted to start in, only after making time in his busy work schedule he decided to participate in a class and after a few trial classes Mike was addicted and started his Aikido journey.
That's when Mike became a member at Aikido Of Bristol County and met John Araujo Sensei and became a direct student of Araujo Sensei.
Mike remains focused and advancing his technical capabilities, but also leverages his training to gain a greater sense of awareness of himself and others.
Mike enjoys time with his family, extreme mountain bicycling, concerts, and traveling.
Brandon Needham Vice President of the B.T.F
Brandon Needham Sensei holds a rank of Godan (5th Degree Black Belt) and is certified as a shidoin.
He is the Chief Instructor of Aikido of Benton County in Richalnd, Washington has been doing Aikido for over 20 years.
Sensei Needham has trained with several high rank Aikido instructors including Bernie Lau Sensei, Frank Ani Sensei, Jim Eggleston Sensei and Isoyama Shihan.
In 2002 while training at the Washington Aiki Dojo he attended a Tenshin Aikido seminar which was his first hands on introduction to Sensei Steven Seagals method of Aikido.
After several years of studying Tenshin Aikido Sensei Needham moved to Eastern Washington, He opened his first Tenshin Aikido Dojo and began teaching Aikido in the Tri-City, Washington State area as part of the Washington Aiki Association.
In 2014 Needham Sensei was accepted into the Bushido Tenshin Aikido Federation and is now a direct student of John Araujo Shihan.
In 2015 Needham Sensei became the Vice President of the Bushido Tenshin Aikido Federation
Needham Sensei not only enjoys his full time work as a Law Enforcement Officer but enjoys all his quality with his family.
Needham Sensei oversees his young adult’s training and is a mentor & motivator to all members, in addition to serving as the head instructor and managing operations.
Michael Rosa Sensei
(As of 2012 Michael currently resides in Livermore, California)
Michael Rosa Sensei was a General Manager and Instructor up until he moved to California in 2012.
Rosa Sensei (Nidan 2nd Degree Black Belt) under Araujo Shihan is Chief Instructor of Aikido Of Alameda County in California was originally motivated to begin his training because of his interest in Japanese culture and martial arts. Little did he know at the time it would start a journey which would become much more than another hobby, but an integral part of his life.
Rosa Sensei at a young age started his study of Shotokan Karate, Judo, & Jujitsu with Bill Aguiar Sensei in Fall River, Ma.
In 1995 Michael began Aikido under Jack Leonardo Sensei at the New Bedford Aikikai, shortly after Leonardo’s Sensei’s death he continued his training with Don Cardoza Sensei at the Aikido Wellness Resource Center North Dartmouth, Ma.
In addition to his direct teachers, Michael has had the opportunity to travel to many seminars and experience the Aikido instruction of some of the art’s highest ranking teachers from Japan and the U.S.
After over 25 years of martial arts Michael’s Aikido training continues to provide never ending avenues for discovery and growth, both as an Aikido practitioner and as a member of society.
Ricardo Castro Sensei
Ricardo Castro is a certified Shidoin & (4th Degree Black belt) under Araujo Shihan.
Currently Ricardo Castro Sensei is the Chief Instructor of Acores Aikido Dojo in Ponta Delgada Sao Miguel Acores, Portugal.
Castro Sensei had studied Aikido under the direction of Miguel Luis Ferreira Sensei with the F.P.A Federacao Portuguesa De Aikido Organization European Aikido Federation through the Aikikai which was founded by the late Tamura Nobuyoshi Shihan. In early 2017 Castro Sensei decided to cut his ties and resign from the International European Aikido Federation and Aikikai.
In mid 2017 Castro Sensei joined and was accepted in the Bushido Tenshin Aikido Federation and is now a direct student of John Araujo Shihan.