In 1971 he graduated from Miami University of Oxford, Ohio, majoring in Theater. He used his professional acting skills in a broad variety of Japanese television and film projects - most notably alongside Richard Chamberlain and Toshiro Mifune in the NBC samurai epic Shogun

Stephen K. Hayes has demonstrated self-protection skills to military and law-enforcement groups including the U.S. Air Force Academy, the FBI Academy, the American Society for Law Enforcement Training, and members of Britain's elite SAS

He has worked on special assignments with the United States Department of State Dignitary Security Services and under contract with the United States Defense Intelligence Agency

In the 1990s, regularly served as personal security escort and advisor for his spiritual friend, 1989 Nobel Peace Prize winner Dalai Lama of Tibet

He was elected to the prestigious Black Belt Hall of Fame in 1985

In 1993 he was awarded the extremely rare honor of ju-dan 10th degree Black Belt by Bujinkan Dojo Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi of Chiba-ken, Japan.

Stephen K. Hayes is an ordained teacher of 1,200-year-old Japanese vajrayana meditation tradition - As spiritual head of the Kasumi-An Dojo, he offers instruction in both the meditation and martial arts traditions of Japan

Appointed to the Board of Directors of Dalai Lama elder brother Thubten Jigme Norbu's Tibetan Cultural Center in 1996

Stephen K. Hayes founded the martial art of To-Shin Do in 1997, 30 years after beginning formal training in the martial arts; he is known as An-shu, founder-director of the Kasumi-An

Martial Arts History Museum Hall of Fame honored An-shu Hayes in 2004, for his pioneering introduction of the Japanese ninja martial arts to the Western world

Chairman of the Board of SKH Quest, dedicated to promoting the benefits of martial arts training for self-development, he travels the world as teacher, seminar leader, and lecturer, inspiring others by translating his extensive background in martial arts and meditation into practical lessons for handling the pressures, uncertainties, and stresses of life

His 19 books have sold over 1.3 million copies - many volumes published in different languages around the world, translating the timeless knowledge of the East into pragmatic lessons for contemporary Western life

Stephen K. Hayes taught as Adjunct Professor in the Masters of Business Management program of the McGregor School of Antioch University, and serves on the University of Dayton Crotty Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Advisory Council

In 2004 An-shu Stephen K. Hayes began production of an inspiring and information-rich DVD Home Study Long Distance Learning program in his To-Shin Do martial arts and meditation systems

Stephen K. Hayes has been married for 24 years to Rumiko Urata Hayes, who was born in Kumamoto, Japan, and graduated from Sophia University in Tokyo

   All information and picture posted with direct permission from An-shu Hayes

On the Mediation side/////

Miami Valley Meditation Founder and Director
Stephen K. Hayes

Miami Valley Meditation was founded in the autumn of 2000 by Stephen K. Hayes, well-known book author and teacher of the Asian martial arts and meditation sciences. 

Fundamental practice is based on Japanese and Tibetan traditions. The organization behind the training is referred to as the Blue Lotus Assembly, the name of which is derived from the Shoren-In Blue Lotus Temple of Kyoto, former temple home of the poet priest Jien (1155-1225), 62nd Zasu Headmaster of Tendai, whose name inspired the Dharma name given to Blue Lotus Assembly founder Stephen Kinryu-Jien Hayes.

In his youth, Stephen K. Hayes was driven by questions of a spiritual nature, but the cultural climate of the mid-1900s American Midwest offered little in the way of encouragement in his quest. Seeking directions and answers, he immersed himself in activity at his family church, heading youth forums and assisting ministers in services and ceremonies.

The 1970s were turbulent, awkward, and disjointed years for Stephen K. Hayes as he struggled to force aside his spiritual inclinations and take his expected place in workaday world contemporary Western society. He eventually felt compelled to abandon conventionality, and set out on a path that led him to Japan, India, and Tibet, and to the reaffirmation of the validity and importance of his spiritual life quest. 

He took initial Triple Refuge vows from Tibetan Buddhist master Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche and His Eminence Jamgon Kongtrul in 1984. 

He was initiated into the Mt. Yoshino yamabushi mountain ascetic tradition by priests of the Henso-ji Temple in 1987. 

He took Tokudo priesthood ordination vows from Japanese esoteric vajrayana master Clark Jikai Choffy in May of 1991. 

Stephen K. Hayes traveled with His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet, Nobel Peace Prize winner, in the 1990s as security escort and advisor. He received the Bodhisattva vows from His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet along with members of His Holiness' family in August of 1999, as part of the Kalachakra "Wheel of Time" initiation.

 He received the maroon and white Sakya adhi lay ordination cloak from His Holiness Jigdal Dagchen Sakya in November of 2000, and the private transmission of the practice and traditional pecha empowerment book of Vajrakilaya "Diamond remover of obstacles to enlightenment" from Lama Kunga Dhondup and Lama Pema Wangdak in 2004.

In December 2002, he traveled to south India to take part in the Dalai Lama's consecration opening of the Drepung Gomang meditation hall as a special guest of the Dalai Lama's family.