ASU is headed by Mitsugi Saotome Shihan. Saotome Shihan has devoted his entire adult life to the study and teaching of Aikido. Saotome Shihan is the chief instructor of the Aikido Shobukan Dojo, in Washington, D.C. and also serves as the supervisory instructor for more than 70 affiliated dojos of ASU. He currently resides in Myakka City, Florida. Hiroshi Ikeda Shihan is also a leading Shihan in ASU and he is head instructor at Boulder Aikikai, in Boulder, Colorado. The regional instructor for ASU in the southern states (including Georgia) is Dennis Hooker Sensei. Hooker Sensei is the Chief Instructor at Shindai Dojo, in Orlando, Florida.
