Robert Nadeau

Robert Nadeau, an 8th dan and certified shihan (master teacher), will discuss his extensive experience as a personal student of Aikido’s founder, Morihei Ueshiba.

As one of the most senior teachers in the world today, he has made significant contributions to the growth of Aikido in America, co-founding the Aikido Association of Northern California and the California Aikido Association. Robert will share insights from his martial arts journey, which began in the 1950s with training in judo and karate, and later in Japan, where he received direct instruction from Ueshiba. His teachings emphasize Aikido as a path for personal development, blending martial techniques with psychological and spiritual growth. We will highlight his influence on generations of Aikido practitioners and his innovative seminars that have integrated Aikido principles into various fields, including psychology and bodywork.

SueAnn McKean 

SueAnn, a 6th degree black belt in Aikido, will share her diverse path, beginning as a seeker in the 1960s and 70s, transitioning to a champion professional bodybuilder in the 80s, and evolving into an Enneagram teacher and Vedic astrologer in the 21st century.

Aikido has been her steadfast companion throughout these transformations, profoundly influencing her personality and life. Since starting her teaching career in 1976, she has educated students of all ages and backgrounds, adapting her approach to meet the needs of everyone from children to Silicon Valley professionals. Her teaching evolved further when she began instructing at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology (now Sofia University) in 1991 and for Chinese therapists at the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) since 2015, blending traditional Aikido with psycho-spiritual insights to help individuals manage everyday stresses. We’ll also touch on her recent speaking engagement in China, where she discussed Aikido’s role in well-being and resilience.

Throughout the discussion, we will briefly integrate elements of Integral Transformative Practice (ITP), illustrating how both Sue Ann and Robert apply these practices to support their teaching and personal growth journeys. This conversation promises to be an enriching exploration of empowerment through Aikido and its broader implications for personal transformation.