
He began his study of the martial arts with Karate in 1977, and in 1987 began his study of Aikido with Bill Gleason Shihan at Shobu Aikido of Boston. In 2001 he moved back to his home town of Toledo to found Shobu Aikido of Ohio, and in 2005 began co-leading intensive Shobu Okugyo retreats with Gleason Shihan which focused on Kototama and Aiki Principle.
in 2013 he was awarded the rank of Godan (5th Degree Black Belt) by Gleason Shihan.
Jay appears extensively in Gleason Sensei's 2001 Video 'Aikido and Japanese Sword' as well as his 2009 book 'Aikido and Words of Power.'
Jay's dojo is an affiliate of Aikido Schools of Ueshieba, and he has studied with Mitsugi Saotome Shihan and Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan at numerous Seminars, and also studied internal power and Aiki training with Dan Harden and Howard Popkin.
- William Gleason, Shihan
