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| Biographies:  John Allen, 8th Dan Aikido John Allen, head instructor (or Sensei) of Almost Heaven Martial Arts is an 8th degree Black Belt Aikido and a 3rd degree Black Belt Jyodo.
Allen Sensei was introduced to Aikido in November 1980 through Karl Geis Sensei of Houston, Texas, Fugakukai International Aikido Association while attending a local seminar. Allen Sensei was fortunate and honored to be able to continue training with Geis Sensei for the next 22 years. During this time he was also introduced to Tusanako Miyaki Sensei of Tokyo, Japan, known worldwide for her expertise in Aikido, Judo, Jyodo, Tai Chi and Karate, and has enjoyed many training seminars under her instruction.
Allen Sensei opened his school in the beautiful hills of West Virginia in 1985 and has been actively involved since. He has worked with local elementary schools with a program called Fit Kids and at the high school level teaching Aikido to the Air Force ROTC. He has worked with local law enforcement teaching officers how to deal with aggressive situations in a non-aggressive manner. He received an Honorary Award for this work in 2004 from the Parkersburg Police Department and Local Fraternal Order of Police. He received a Masters Instructor Award from The World Wide Martial Arts Black Belt Hall of Fame in 2004, and The Eastern USA International Martial Arts Associaion Black Belt Hall of Fame has awarded him Martial Arts Dedication and Master Instructor Award’s 2004 and 2005 respectively.
He continues to be the chief instructor for all Aikido classes, children and adults and teaches self-defense seminars to various local groups.
 Kathy Allen, 6th Dan Aikido Kathy Allen Sensei started her Martial Arts Training in 1981 at West Virginia University Parkersburg Judo program. After a year of judo study she decided to join her husband John Allen Sensei on the path to the Way of Harmony via Aikido. Kathy was an early female pioneer in an art predominately dominated by men. For the next 17 years she studied with Karl Geis Sensei, Houston, Texas - Fugakukai International Aikido Association and Tusanako Miyaki Sensei, Tokyo Japan. She had the honor and privilege of attending many seminars with these two notable instructors, receiving her 6th degree Black Belt promotion in the summer of 2000.
The Eastern U.S.A. International Martial Arts Association recognized her for her contributions to the martial arts in 2004 with a Master Instructor Award, and again in 2005 with the Pinnacle Award of Success.
She has remained actively involved in the martial arts and acts as advisor in partnership with her husband at their school in Parkersburg, WV.
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