Sensei Alphfonzo Pearsall began training in 1982 at the Brooklyn Aikido Club, in Brooklyn, New York. He studied Aikido under Sensei Luqman Abdul Hakeem until he was awarded the rank of third kyu. Sensei Pearsall’s desire to further his marital arts education in weaponry and Japanese tradition took him to Massachusetts, where he became an ushi-dashi (live-in student) to Sensei Paul Sylvain for the next two years. The late Sensei Sylvain was a student of Master T. K. Chiba, who is a direct disciple of Aikido’s founder, Morihei Uyesheba.

Sensei Pearsall has undergone intense training with such weapons as the Iaito (samurai sword), jo (52” short staff) and the boken (wooden sword). He has also attended instructors’ training for both adults and children under Sensei Sylvain.

Sensei Pearsall was awarded his Shodan degree (Black belt in 1986).

Having been training for more than 25 years, Sensei Pearsall now holds the rank of Fuku-Shidoin (teacher’s license). He is a United States Aikido Federation member in good standing, and has been granted Chief Instructor status. As an instructor, he is a believer in old-school, traditional, and focused work habits.

Sensei Pearsall gives all credit for his success in martial arts to God, who has blessed him by putting such people in his life; as Sensei & Chief Instructor, Irvin Faust (friend and mentor) and Shidion at Aikido of Albany, Sensei Paul Sylvain, Sensei Lorraine DiAnne, and Sensei Lusk Penn.

“It is my desire to fully give back all of the love and care that has been given to me.”