Akitsohi

 

Michael Akitoshi Stinson began studying To-Shin Do in 1993 with Mark Russo at the Tampa Quest Center in Tampa, FL. Shortly after Mr. Russo began his Quest Center, Mr. Stinson became aware that he wanted to be closely involved with the To-Shin Do tradition. Over the next several years, Mark Russo and the Tampa Quest Center staff gave Mr. Stinson excellent training experience both as a student and to develop his abilities as an instructor. During this period, he also assisted in the creation and running of Tampa’s Mighty Dragons Program, a class for 6-year-olds.
During his years of training with Mark Russo, Mr. Stinson also took many opportunities to train with other individuals involved in both To-Shin Do and the Bujinkan nationwide. In 2000, he moved to Phoenix, AZ to pursue an opportunity in the growing Internet industry. Over the next two years, he continued to train with various Bujinkan groups, and traveled to Dayton, OH to train with Stephen K. Hayes at the Dayton Quest Center whenever possible. He also traveled to Japan to train with Dr. Hatsumi, who is Mr. Hayes’ teacher, and other high-ranking Japanese instructors. Mr. Stinson met his fiance and co-Quest Center owner, Lori Stinson, during his training experiences in the Phoenix area.
Michael formally approached Mr. Hayes concerning the opening of a Phoenix Quest Center while at the Dayton Festival in 2001, and after almost a year of hard work and determination, the doors to the Phoenix Quest Center were opened on July 20, 2002. Teaching and helping people Unleash their Potential is one of the most rewarding experiences Mr. Stinson has found.

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