The United States Aikido Federation (USAF) is a non-profit educational institution created for the purpose of spreading and maintaining the integrity of the Japanese martial art of Aikido, as exemplified and developed by its Founder, Master Morihei Ueshiba, and as disseminated by the Aikikai Foundation, Aikido Hombu Dojo, the Aikido World Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.  The main aims of the USAF are to develop and guide the practice and instruction of Aikido as established by Hombu, to promote and develop good will, fellowship and lines of communication among its members, to standardize gradings, to register dan (senior level) grades with Hombu, and to establish and maintain close contact with the Shihan (master teachers) officially dispatched as representatives by Hombu.  To accomplish this, the USAF organizes, promotes and conducts Aikido demonstrations and seminars, encourages activities of member dojos, and researches, studies and publishes information and materials pertaining to Aikido.

  Yoshimitsu Yamada, a direct student of O Sensei for more than ten years, is an 8th dan and the chief instructor at the New York Aikikai. Currently, he is Chairman of the Board of the United States Aikido Federation and the Latin America Aikido Federation. He is the author of Aikido Complete and has made multiple aikido training tapes.  Yamada Sensei is well known for his clear and strong basic technique. He teaches seminars all over the world where thousands of students attend his classes.