Career
Gleason teaches seminars worldwide. Gleason lived in Tokyo, Japan from 1969-1980, where he trained in traditional aikido and Japanese sword at the world headquarters of aikido, the Aikikai Hombu Dojo. Gleason wrote a brief account of his training at the dojo, describing the training environment and people involved.
Gleason received his 1st degree black belt in 1972 from Kisshomaru Ueshiba.
In 1998, Gleason received his 6th degree black belt from Mitsugi Saotome. Gleason founded Shobu Aikido of Boston in 1980.
Several of Gleason"s students have opened their own Shobu Aikido affiliated dojos around the United States of America. In 2005, Gleason began the Shobu Okugyo Teacher Training Center, a unique forum designed to integrate the spiritual and physical aspects of Aikido. The seminars are 5-day retreats where students do meditation and aikido twice per day, macrobiotic cooking, and reading, discussion and practice of kototama.