Our club instructors
Patrick Palmer Sensei 5th Dan (Go-dan) Shidoin So Hombu
Palmer Sensei started training in spring 1995 under the instruction of Sensei Mike Smith and Shihan William "Bill" Smith (affectionally known as "the gaffer"). He obtained the rank of Shodan (1st Dan black belt) at winter school 2001, which was awarded to him by Shihan Smith.
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Sensei Michael Spoor 3rd Dan (San-dan) so Hombu
Sensei Spoor started training back in 1974 under the tuition of Sensei Andy Whitehead. He and Sensei Whitehead then found themselves under the tutelage of Shihan William Smith MBE. of the United Kingdom Aikikai (UKA).
In 1989 Sensei Spoor obtained his 1st Dan from Sensei Smith and then his 2nd Dan a year later! He opened his first dojo soon afterwards in Shenley (Birmingham), then his 2nd dojo if Cofton (Birmingham) in 1993.
Sensei obtained his 3rd Dan from Shihan Smith in the spring of 1997, then taking time off to look after his family. He returned to his training at Zanshin-Kai Aikido, along with his grandson and is a regular face still training at the age of 71!
Sensei Spoor is British Aikido Board (BAB)Coach Level 1 qualified.
Sensei Andrew Prince 2nd Dan (Ni-dan) So Hombu
Sensei Prince started his aikido journey at the tender age of 4, as a junior student at the UKA's "Old Hill" dojo under the instruction of Sensei Keith Bailey.
He progressed through the junior ranks and under the authorisation of Shihan W Smith, moved under the instruction of Sensei Mike Smith at the age of ten! Sensei Prince worked his way from junior to senior student with Sensei Mike Smith and obtained his dan grade at the age of 23, which he was awarded in 2014.
Sensei Prince's profession as a civil servant, brings a "practical" side to his aikido instruction which adds a dynamic side to his instruction. He was promoted to 2nd Dan in 2017 by Sensei Smith and is qualified as a British Aikido Board (BAB) Coach Level 1.