"Then there is Lou Perriello. His art is Aikido. His technique is like stones rolling together That's how strong his Aikido is." -Philip Porter, 9th Dan Judo, in World of Martial Arts, March/April 1998.

Profile
• Shidoin, Go Dan (Fifth Degree Black Belt) in Aikido IAF, Hombu Dojo
• Hachidan (Eighth Degree Black Belt) by the United States Martial Arts Association.
• Chairman of the Aikido Division of United States Martial Arts Association
• Shihandai, assistant to the Shihan and Member of the teaching committee of the Aikido Association of America.
• Shodan in USMA Judo.
• Certified by the United States Department of The Interior to teach Aikido for Law Enforcement.
• Coordinating Instructor of the Association for Tactical Application, an organization established to teach defensive tactics, applied Aikido and other martial arts for law enforcement.
• Perriello Sensei has taught seminars in Traditional Aikido, Aikido for Law Enforcement, and defensive tactics throughout the U.S., Canada, and Central America.

Early years
Perriello Sensei began his martial arts career in 1958 with the study of Kodokan Judo and Shotokan Karate. After experiencing Aikido in 1962, Mr. Perriello became a student of Hatanaka Sensei, practicing Aikido and Judo until 1964. In 1964, he became a full time Aikido student under Hatanaka Sensei, and practiced with him until 1966.

Lou Perriello and Chiba Sensei

In 1966, before returning to Japan, Hatanaka Sensei wrote a letter of introduction to the newly arrived Kanai Sensei, recommending Mr. Perriello as a student.

As one of the original students of New England Aikikai, Mr. Perriello practiced almost exclusively with Kanai Sensei from 1966 through 1978. During this period, he worked with several of the Founder's original students, helping to establish the United States Aikido Federation. He also studied with Yamada Sensei, Chiba Sensei, Tohei Sensei and most of the other Hombu Dojo Shihan.

The Beginnings of Northeast Aikikai
Perriello Sensei founded Northeast Aikikai on August 14, 1978 Lowell, Massachusetts. Since then, the dojo has grown and prospered. Today, Northeast Aikikai (now located in Chelmsford, MA) has more than 100 active students participating in day and evening classes for men, women and children six days each week.

Lou Perriello and Masatake Sekiya Sensei

In addition to the Chelmsford dojo, Perriello Sensei teaches classes at several other locations, including The Brandeis University Aikido Club, the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, and the University of New Hampshire, Manchester.

Lou Perriello Sensei and Northeast Aikikai Inc. are currently affiliated with The Aikido Association Of America under the direction of Andrew Sato Shihan and the Sand Drift Martial Arts Association under the direction of Dr. Tom Walker in Florida. Perriello Sensei is the chairman of the Aikido divisions of the United States Martial Arts Association.

Northeast Aikikai Today
Perriello Sensei credits his Aikido success, experience, training and technique to Kanai Sensei and all of the other Shihans with whom he has trained throughout the years.

"No time limit is placed on the Aikido student's obligation to his or her
sensei," Perriello Sensei said recently as he recounted a quote from Paul Arel that he admired. "Since true martial arts knowledge is a priceless commodity, the acquiring of such can never be fully repaid. In turn, there is nothing tangible that could be given to students or their loyalty to a sensei, only further knowledge, the greatest asset the sensei possesses."

Lou Perriello Sensei and Steve Koon Sensei

Perriello Sensei is one of the few original students of New England Aikikai still dedicated to the full-time task of exploring and teaching the path as shown by Master Ueshiba -- teaching Aikido philosophy and techniques to all who wish to learn.

Several Quotes that have inspired Perriello Sensei
"Few people in this world know what their real strength is. Many see only the part of their power that floats like the visible segment of an iceberg and forget that vastly greater part sunk beneath the surface of the water. Perhaps such people are satisfied with themselves as they are; perhaps on the contrary they are pessimistic about their own inabilities." - Koichi Tohei, Tenth Dan Aikido Master
 
"One has to transcend technique so that art becomes an artless art growing out of the unconsciousness." - D. T. Suzuki, Zen Master

"Bad example..." - Lou Perriello

"That which does not kill you makes you stronger." - Nietzche via Conan

"Don't embarrass me." - Lou Perriello (words of wisdom before a test)

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Addendum:
The United States Martial Arts organization held a Millennial 2000 Seminar and Hall of Fame ceremony in Little Rock Arkansas in August, 2000. At the event, Lou Perriello, Chief Instructor of Northeast Aikikai in Chelmsford MA, was promoted to Hachidan (8th Dan) in American Aikido. At the awards ceremony, Sensei was inducted into the USMA Hall of Fame and awarded USMA American Aikido Grandmaster of the Year.
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