Sensei Stefano Loffredo

AIKIDO

 

In 1986 while he was still a teenager, he had a unique opportunity to train directly under a Green Beret  special forces unit stationed in Illinois until he graduated High School. After that experience, he searched for another outlet for his youthful appetite of elite martial training and found it with Charles Tseng Sensei a (Rokudan 6th degree black belt) in Aikido who is Chief Instructor of and founder the Lake County Aikikai -and Lynn Philyaw Sensei ( 7th degree black belt)  Chief Instructor in Kenpo Karate.Being exposed to these incredibly gifted men, and training diligently under the two masters, naturally made a huge impact on his training perspective of the martial arts both technically and spiritually. He was fortunate enough to be able to be influenced positively by both  (hard linear and fluid circular) and it shows in his techniques and unique form today.He started his training on the path of Aikido in 1990, and attained his Shodan (Black Belt) Aikido in 1995.  After which he has taught Aikido at the Collage of Lake County along with Women's Self defense courses. He continues his love and pursuit for the art by consistent training and refining of techniques, and by attending martial arts seminars across the country.Stefano Loffredo Sensei was brought through the ranks in a traditional dojo environment and maintains the virtues that environment has offered and has been passed down for centuries."The purpose of training is to tighten the slack, toughen the body and polish the spirit"(The founder of Aikido- Morihei Ueshiba...)