Instructional Staff
Robert Brody Sensei
Dojo-Cho & Chief Instructor
Brody Sensei has been training in aikido since 1995, when he began at Warminster Aikido Dojo in Pennsylvania. Warminster Aikido Dojo was affiliated with the Aikido Association of America (AAA) under the late Fumio Toyoda Shihan, establishing his foundation within the Toyoda lineage.
While attending college in Vermont, he founded Green Mountain Aikido, his first dojo. In 2010, he relocated to Connecticut to attend naturopathic medical school and began training at Yanagi Aikido (Aikido of Norwalk) under Corey Guilbault Sensei. In time, he assumed leadership of the Norwalk dojo space and established Kongōshinkan Aikido as an independent dojo dedicated to disciplined training, strong fundamentals, and preserving the integrity of Toyoda Shihan’s technical form.
Brody Sensei holds the rank of Yondan (4th-degree black belt) and has tested within the AAA structure. His approach to aikido emphasizes posture, clarity of movement, and responsibility in both training and dojo culture.
In addition to his work in aikido, Brody Sensei is a board-certified naturopathic physician specializing in gastroenterology and serves as a board member of the Japan Society of Fairfield County.
Brian Lasher
Brian Lasher began Aikido in 1991 at Columbia University under Gary Snyder Sensei (Kokikai Aikido). In 1993, he moved to Michigan to study under Takashi Kushida Sensei and Lisa Konikow Sensei (Yoshokai Aikido). He completed Kenshu, an intensive 20-month instructor training, in 1997, and Jokyu Kenshu, focused on historical weapons including Kodachi, in 1999. Lasher holds the rank of Sandan (3rd-degree black belt) and has taught youth and adult classes in Michigan and Connecticut.
Jeff Tang
Jeff Tang, a lifelong resident of Fairfield County, began his Aikido training in 2016 at Yanagi Dojo in Norwalk, CT. He studied under Corey Guilbault Sensei, and at Guilbault Sensei's request has taught in the children's program since 2018.
With the transition to Brody Sensei's leadership, Mr. Tang has accepted responsibility for the children's program. He continues his own study of Aikido under Brody Sensei. Mr. Tang holds the rank of Shodan (1st-degree black belt)