Brevard Aikikai was founded in 1987 by Grady Lane Nanadan (7th degree black belt, Shihan), who serves as chief instructor. Lane Sensei teaches traditional Aikido as handed down by the Founder. Lane Sensei places on Aikido’s philosophy and ethics, while at the same time teaching it’s full range of capabilities from passive gentle persuasion to full street effectiveness.

Lane Sensei began training in the martial arts in 1972 with the study of Karate, where he earned his first black belt. He became interested in Aikido in 1975 after watching the Aikido class that followed his Karate class. He remembers being somewhat unimpressed by what appeared to him as an old man dancing around the mats a bit. After he had watched several classes, the instructor invited him to participate in a demonstration. With the bravado of youth, and his assurance in his Karate skills, he accepted the invitation, feeling confidant that the match would be brief. It was. In a matter of seconds he found himself painfully pinned in a wrist lock. In that moment he recognized the effectiveness of Aikido. He joined the class and has trained with dedication in Aikido for over 40 years.

Lane Sensei has studied under the tutelage of Dr. Tom Walker Sensei, 5th Dan. His black belt promotions came from Shihan (master instructor) Yoshimitsu Yamada, an 8th degree black belt and head of the United States Aikido Federation. Lane Sensei currently holds the rank of Nanadan (7th degree black belt), and has been recognized as a Shihan (Master Instructor) by the United States Aikido Federation.

Lane Sensei has been teaching Aikido since 1982. He has instructed classes for local law enforcement agencies, and has been a featured instructor in seminars at the Aikido Center of Jacksonville, Sand Drift Aikido, Palm Beach Aikikai, and Aikido of Tampa Bay. Lane Sensei makes annual visits to Florida Aikikai to train under Peter Bernath Shihan. He believes that all forms of martial arts are good, and offer benefits to those who train.

Lane Sensei regularly attends and trains at many USAF sponsored camps and seminars given by Aikido Shihans (master instructors). He has trained with the following Shihans, in order to learn new techniques and increase his knowledge of the Art: Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba, N. Tamura, Y. Yamada, M. Kanai, S. Sugano, K. Chiba, I. Shibata, A. Tohei, M. Saito, S. Yamaguchi, Y. Kawahara, H. Osawa, Y. Kurita, D. Waite, C. Berthiaume, H. Konigsberg, and P. Bernath. Lane Sensei also encourages his students to attend seminars to observe and learn from the different teaching styles of these master instructors.