Fran Turner

Fran Turner is a godan, or fifth degree black belt — one of a handful of women in Canada who hold this rank or higher. She is ranked through Aikido World Headquarters at Hombu Dojo in Tokyo and through the Canadian Aikido Federation.

Since Fran started her study of Aikido in Copenhagen in 1974, she has trained in Washington, D.C., and Toronto. She has managed her own club, or dojo, since 1984. She has also taught Aikido and self-defence for women through the Toronto Board of Education and the Recreation and Athletics Centre at Ryerson Polytechnical University. Always interested in body movement, Fran has studied modern dance, yoga, and Alexander technique. At the end of her very first Aikido class, she knew she was hooked for life. Fran Turner Sensei is currently a Canadian Aikido Federation Shidoin for the southern Ontario region.

See the interview with Fran Turner.