Tony Myers (born April 13, 1967) was first introduced to the martial arts at the age of seven by a childhood friend, and by the age of nine Tony had begun to train under the direction of Koroku Yamamoto Sensei.

The majority of his time was spent studying the syllabus of Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu. The training was very hard and incredibly painful at times. Yamamoto Sensei spent a lot of time with his students discussing the history of Budo, and because of that, his students also were required to understand certain techniques and strategies of Sumo, Aikido and Judo. Sensei stressed to his students the importance of understanding the origins of these systems as well as their strengths and weaknesses.
Later, at the age of thirteen, under the continued instruction of Yamamoto Sensei, Tony was introduced to the way of the sword (Kenjutsu), the bow (Yami), the glaive (Naginata), and the spear (Sojutsu). In addition, all students were shown offensive and defensive tactics like rope binding (Hojojutsu), the chain (Kusari), and the metal fan (Tessen), with additional focus on some of the Japanese cultural arts like the composing of poems (Haiku) and the tea ceremony (Chado).

In 1985, after great thought, Yamamoto decided it was time for his family to return to Japan. It was at this time that, in addition to his dedication to Aikijujutsu, Tony was introduced to the Chinese art of Gung fu, which led him to broaden his training to include the Okinawan system of Maibukan Goju Ryu Karate following the lineage of Chojun Miyagi, Meitoku Yagi, Yesanari Yonomeni, and Villegas Sensei.
It was a year later in 1986, at the age of nineteen, that Myers Sensei made the first of five trips to Japan to continue his commitment to the study of Aikijujutsu. Training in Japan was not much different from in the U.S., yet his eyes were opened to history, culture, and beauty that was indescribable. After many days of exhausting training, Tony was asked to give a personal demonstration for means of examination; and so after 10 years of training, a requirement for someone starting at such a young age, Tony was awarded 2nd Dan (Nidan). In 1988, two years later, he received 3rd Dan (Sandan). In 1990, Tony Myers Sensei was given the honor of opening his first dojo teaching Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu in Modesto California, and was awarded 4th Dan (Yondan). In 1991, a year later, and by special request of Yamamoto Dai Sensei, Myers Sensei and a few of his fellow students spent 10 days at a retreat in intense training. And each day after their training Yamamoto Dai Sensei would share with them things that were more of a spiritual nature rather than physical.

That next year, in 1992, Myers Sensei again returned to Japan to further his training with Dai Sensei Yamamoto. Later that year Myers Sensei received his current rank of 6th Dan (Rokudan), at which time he was given the title of Shihan. He was then asked to serve as an official representative of Yamamoto Dai Sensei. It was noted that Myers Sensei was awarded the rank of Rokudan forgoing the rank of 5th Dan (Godan) due to his many years of dedication to Yamamoto Dai Sensei, which he showed daily by continuing to teach and promote Aikijujutsu in the U.S.

Now in 2009, and at the age of 42, Myers Shihan serves as Kaicho for Aikijujutsu of Modesto in all areas of leadership and instruction. He will be returning to Japan in 2011 to again further his training and make provisions for his school (Ryu). Yamamoto Dai Sensei, now 92 years old, is retired and serves as Myers Shihan’s continued mentor and advisor.

Myers Shihan would like to thank all of his dedicated students for their continued support, and he is excited about what the future will bring.