Hoa Newens has trained and taught Aikido since 1967 and is ranked 7th dan by the Aikikai. He was appointed Shihan in January 2020 by the Doshu. Throughout the years, he studied with Sensei Dang Thong Phong, 6th dan; Seiichi Sugano, 8th dan; and the late Morihiro Saito, 9th dan.

Newens Sensei is the former head of Aikido Institute Oakland. In addition to directing Aikido Institute Davis, he currently serves on the Rank Committee of Takemusu Aikido Association a non-profit corporation dedicated to promoting Aikido.

He has also trained in Wu Tai Chi and Chi Kung since 1987.

Newens Sensei has published two series of Aikido DVDs entitled Aikido Curriculum and Aikido Essence, as well Taichi DVDs, and three books on Aikido that reflect his five decades of experience.