AIKIDO

Authentic Japanese Ueshiba 0-Sensei Aikido Program

Mr. Michael L. Werth Sensei, Director and Dojo Cho

Werth Sensei began studying Aikido in January of 1991 under Glenn Webber Sensei, who trained with M. Kanai Shihan and T. K. Chiba Shihan, direct students of the Founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba O-Sensei. Aikido - Eastside is now affiliated with Lorraine DiAnne Shihan of Westside Aikido and T. K. Chiba Shihan of San Diego Aikikai and Birankai International North America.

Michael Werth Sensei's most recent accomplishment is the establishment of the Kids' Action League of Martial Artists, Inc. (KALOMA), a non-profit organization which seeks to join professional Martial Artists, Mathematics Teachers, and English Teachers to provide character development training, numeracy tutoring, and literacy tutoring to children and their families who cannot easily afford these professional services. KALOMA seeks to provide opportunities for all children to become as successful as they can be through character education, advanced mathematics tutoring, reading, writing, and higher education. Mr. Werth is a professional public school secondary mathematics teacher who seeks to teach the Values of the Martial Arts to all who are interested in the peaceful ways of Aikido.

KARATE

Authentic Okinawan Uechi - Ryu Karate Program

Mr. Edward J. Rafferty III Sensei

Mr. Edward J. Rafferty III Sensei began the study of traditional Okinawan Uechi - Ryu Karate in September of 1967, under the direction of Mr. Charles C. Earle III Sensei (1942-2006). At the time, Ed was a high school student and was influenced to study karate by Mr. Antone Carmone, a teacher at Central High School who was also a senior student at the former Mattson Academy of Karate (later known as the Uechi Karate School). Ed remained with Earle Sensei until 1984, and has also studied Uechi-Ryu under Ed DeCosta Sensei, Ed Oakley Sensei, and is now a yondan (4th degree black belt) under Walter Mattson Sensei, 9th Dan, of Southborough, MA. During his years of study, Ed also studied Kenpo karate under Nick Cerio Sensei and Taekwondo under Grandmaster Hee Il Cho during the late 60s and early 70s.

Recently, Ed Rafferty Sensei served as Head Instructor of Adults and Teens at Traditional Okinawan Karate of West Greenwich, RI. He now holds the position of Program Director and Chief Instructor of all Uechi-Ryu Karate programs at Main Street Martial Arts in Providence, Rhode Island. With over 30 years of training in traditional Okinawan Uechi Ryu Karate and a background in education, Rafferty Sensei is a seasoned instructor with many years of varied experiences, providing instruction in a non-competitive environment so that all students who want to study can learn.

Sensei additionally has considerable experience teaching women the art of Uechi-Ryu with one of his most advanced female students now training for 3rd degree black belt. Rafferty Sensei also teaches a terrific program for young adults and children who want to learn to be stronger, more confident, and focused at home, in school, and in choosing and pursuing their lifes' goals.

Rafferty Sensei holds a BA in Secondary Education from Rhode Island College and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Bryant College. He currently lives in North Smithfield with his wife, Eileen, and has one daughter, Caitlin.