Linda Lee Vecchio Sensei is the highest ranking female Aikido Instructor in the United States Aikido Federation (U.S.A.F.). She received her first degree black belt in 1969 and now holds the rank of Nanadan 7th Dan. Vecchio Sensei is highly regarded in the martial arts world of Aikido, and has promoted many black belts to date. In addition to holding a 7th degree black belt, Vecchio Sensei also holds the title of Shihan, or Master Instructor. She has been certified to teach Aikido by the approval of the International Aikido Federation located in Tokyo Japan. In addition to practicing Aikido for over 45 years, Vecchio Sensei has traveled and has taught seminars world wide. They have been held in France, Belgium, Holland, Japan, Canada and the United States.
For 10 years, Vecchio Sensei served as the general secretary to the U.S.A.F. During this period, she served as a representative of the U.S.A.F. to the International Aikido Federation (I.A.F). This function also allowed her to travel to many different countries, taking care of important business matters, and maintain solid relations with many different Japanese leaders in Aikido.
Vecchio Sensei has been teaching at Lakeland Community College since 1972. At the invitation of the newly formed Veterans Club, Ms. Linda Lee Vecchio Sensei was requested to teach Aikido to a small group of men, newly returned from Vietnam. She first started teaching them through LCC’s Adult Education Program, shortly after, she was than asked to teach part-time credited classes. The growing interest in Aikido at Lakeland created a need for more practice time. In 1978, the Lakeland Aikido Club was established. The Aikido Club gave students additional time to practice, enabled students to serve in different leadership roles in student government, and permitted students to travel and enjoy many Aikido workshops and seminars. Vecchio Sensei served as the faculty adviser and chief instructor of the club for its entire duration.
The credited self-defense and Aikido program have developed through the years under her guidance. She has promoted and created Aikido course for many different levels: including Wellness and Self-Defense Awareness, Rape Prevention Clinics, Aikido Classes for Children,
and Law Enforcement Self-Defense and Riot Control Classes.
Vecchio Sensei has numerous interests outside the Aikido world. She has been studying Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, for many years. Her interest in flowers extends to perennial gardening and a small koi pond. When she can not spend time outdoors Vecchio Sensei utilizes her time by practicing and learning Feng Shui and interior decorating. Many of her interest are evident at her current Dojo, Aikido of Cleveland. Vecchio Sensei also enjoys spending time with her two sons, two grandsons, one granddaughter and faithful Aikido students.
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