What Is Tenshin Aikido?

thefly

Practice Aikido
What Is Tenshin Aikido?(Revised)

I would like to post this article writen by Luis Santos Sensei. I think it answers much of the questions.

Santos writes:

TenShin aikido is a method, or style, of instruction for aikido and the specific application of aikido techniques. This methodology originated and has become popular through the teachings of Steven Seagal Shihan (also known in aikido circles as Take Shigemichi Shihan). First and foremost, it must be understood that ALL techniques of aikido, there are literally thousands of them, come directly from O’Sensei and his unequivocal teachings. The saying ”aikido is aikido” is completely true and profound. All of aikido is O’Sensei’s aikido. It must also be said that not every aikido instructor, dojo or organization teaches aikido in the exact same manner, with the same attitude or application. However, there are extremely specific characteristics of TenShin aikido that have emerged from Seagal Shihan’s teachings that differentiate it from “mainstream” aikido of today.

Seagal Shihan became head instructor of the first TenShin dojo in Osaka, Japan beginning in 1975 (TenShin translated to English means “heart of heaven”). His manner of teaching aikido took on a very practical application driven and severe attitude, which, over the last 30 years, has emerged and transformed into today’s TenShin Aikido.

In 1982 Seagal Shihan returned to the United States with his top disciple, Haruo Matsouka Sensei and opened TenShin Bugei Gakuen (Heart of Heaven Traditional Arts School), which evolved into TenShin Dojo, in Southern California. From 1982 until 1989, Seagal Shihan was the head instructor of TenShin Dojo until his movie career exploded with the release of “Above the Law”.

At this point, Matsuoka Sensei became the head instructor of the dojo and continued to spread Seagal Shihan’s aikido. From 1989 to 1997, Matsuoka Sensei carried the tradition and teachings of TenShin dojo. Matsuoka Sensei was a student of Seagal Shihan for more than twenty years and was instrumental in the spreading and nourishing of TenShin Aikido.

In 1993, Luis Santos Renshi was introduced to TenShin aikido and in 1994, became a direct student of Matsuoka Sensei. Renshi Santos began teaching and spreading this powerful and practical style of aikido along with his teacher. These were extremely formative and definitive years in the growth of Renshi Santos’ aikido and teaching methodology. In 1997, Matsuoka Sensei decided to return to Japan and leave his post as head instructor of TenShin Dojo. Renshi Santos continued to teach this style of aikido while staying in contact with Seagal Shihan, and was accepted as a direct student of Seagal Shihan’s in 2001.

In 2003, Renshi Santos founded the TenShin Aikido Federation (TAF) in honor of O’Sensei and those who introduced TenShin Aikido into his life. The main purpose of the TAF is to continue to spread this method of instruction and application of aikido that has been passed on to him. To read more about the federation, please visit our “T.A.F.”page on this website.

So what differentiates TenShin Aikido from mainstream aikido?? There are a number of technical applications and basics, ranging from basic hanmi (stance), atemi (strikes), and ways of blending with or entering uke’s attack, that are specific to TenShin methodology. But, perhaps the two major characteristics that are distinct to TenShin aikido are attitude and ukemi.

What is meant by attitude is that practice in the dojo is done on a practical level. In order for training to translate and be applicable to a real world situation, it must be practiced at that level. The attacker (uke) must provide an honest and true attack. If uke does not, the thrower (nage) will not have experienced a “real” attack, and controlling an attacker in a real life situation will be foreign to nage. In turn, nage must use the appropriate, or “real”, amount of force to control and subdue the attack. Practice of TenShin methodology can be severe at times, and with an attitude of practical application, can control a real attack.

Aikido is an extremely powerful martial art and for uke to survive nage’s practical and appropriate application of technique, ukemi (the art of falling) is of utmost importance. The ukemi taught through TenShin methodology is distinct and very special indeed. For example, in order to receive a full speed iriminage, and get up again and again, uke must react in a very specific manner that one does not see in mainstream aikido.

To see what TenShin aikido looks like is one thing (Renshi Santos can be seen in action on our “VIDEO CLIPS” and “PICTURES” pages on these website http://livemartialartsnetwork.com or http://tenshinaikido.com), but to truly experience it on the mat is another. We also invite all to visit a TAF dojo to see this methodology in person, but, again, to truly experience it as uke and nage is the only way to truly understand what TenShin aikido is.
 

take-sensei

Die Hard Seagal fan!
Whats the story about this letter???

tenshinaikidoka said:
Everyone should read this to know the truth!!!!

http://www.threeriversaikido.com/santos_letter.php

It was penned by Take Sensei (Steven Seagal Shihan). Other information to follow this!!!!
Ok, I've read the letter, but did Mr. Luis Santos this did on purpose, was this his goal??? I don't know anything about this situation, only about what I read in this letter!

So please inform me, if you want.

take care tenshinaikidoka

greets take-sensei
 

tenshinaikidoka

Martial Art Student
This was a dishonorable act committed by a FORMER student, who in effect, attended a few seminars only with Take Sensei. He is a legitamite 3rd Dan, but not a legit 4th dan. This in turn makes his 5th dan given to him through the DBNK invalid as well. He used forgery to obtain rank in other words. No matter how you look at it, he committed fraud for his own gain, and dishonored himself in the process.
 

kokoro

Protector
With respect to those who have posted, and to the Sensei that are involved, these statements/arguments appear to be the same that used to be on the "Official" SS site years ago.

Rather than use this forum for establishing who is actually a student of Seagal Shihan, and who is ripping who off, I would like to firstly suggest you discuss this through your PM, out of respect for Seagal Shihan, wether he does or does not know of any of the statements/websites/letters that have been posted.

And Secondly, that the moderators close this thread before it gets out of hand?

Lastly, one person knows the truth, and that is Seagal Shihan, so thats all that matters.

Thankyou.

kokoro
 

tenshinaikidoka

Martial Art Student
I tend to disagree, only because there are people commiting fraud, and then using these types of forums to spread lies, or rather, have thier students, who are blinded spread lies. And just closing our eyes and pretending something has not happened is not the answer. Neither is closing our eyes and hoping it all goes away.

This is not about who is/is not a student, it is about honor, respect and being able to tell the truth. And the letter I posted is very relevant to what the first poster wrote and the article he posted.

Lastly, you say that oned person knows, and that is Seagal Shihan. Well, yes, he does know, but others need to be made aware too. Isn't the truth worth putting out for others so no one gets hurt (financially or otherwise)?

I think we should all watch for the official site to come back to fruition, and see what Take Sensei has to say. I think it wil be interesting.
 

kokoro

Protector
Tenshinaikidoka, thanks for your reply.

I agree in part with your statements. However, the web is full of lies and mis-truths. I could claim that I am his student (although I'm not, but I'd like to be), and claim that as a truth, because I say it is, and it says so on my website, and I have a letter from him that displays that.

You may be in the right Tenshinaikidoka, but rather than make statements of fraud, just point us to the evidence, and let others come to their own conclusions.

So, rather than debate/make accusations on an unofficial site where we can claim almost anything we like, you are correct that we should wait and see what Seagal Shihan has to say himself about these matters on his Official site. I don't believe it is closing our eyes......just waiting to hear the truth from the source.....Seagal Shihan.

Thanks for bringing it to everyone's attention, I'm sure the drums are beating as we type!

In Heart, Mind & Spirit
kokoro
 

TDWoj

Administrator
Staff member
Let me point something out here, folks.

Steven's "people" read every website wherein his name is even mentioned. (Yes, folks, even this one.) I've had a look at that site, and believe me, if anything spurious was on it, Steven's "people" would have had it off in a flash.

So, this discussion can continue, for the time being, at least.
 

cookie

New Member
TDWoj said:
Let me point something out here, folks.

Steven's "people" read every website wherein his name is even mentioned. (Yes, folks, even this one.) I've had a look at that site, and believe me, if anything spurious was on it, Steven's "people" would have had it off in a flash.

I find that really hard to believe.

I know nothing about this subject but if 'Stevens people' had been doing there job maybe the old offical site wouldn't of had to close down.
 

TDWoj

Administrator
Staff member
I believe the 'old' official site WAS run by Steven's people, or, at least, people involved with him, as was the last one (Stipko of starbuzz is a friend of Steven's, and went with him on his various musical tours, before the whole thing came down for unspecified - probably financial, if I were to hazard a guess - reasons. Apparently, though, starbuzz is back - sort of - but I don't know if he'll be handling Steven's site again. I haven't checked, at any rate.). They just lost interest in keeping it going, was my understanding, which was why the forums went to hell in a handbasket, and nothing ever got updated.

And yes, Steven's people do read this site.
 

cookie

New Member
TDWoj said:
They just lost interest in keeping it going, was my understanding, which was why the forums went to hell in a handbasket, and nothing ever got updated.

Sounds like he needs better 'people'
 

tenshinaikidoka

Martial Art Student
Thank you TD, and just to clear it up for kokoro, there was nothing I said that was fraud, I posted a letter, that was penned by Take Sensei. People can make the decision for themselves as to the validity of this.
 

cqdt

New Member
Two peas in a pod

I couldn't just sit and read these threads and not respond. A former student and director of Santos' Tenshin Aikido Federation named Salvatore Forestieri has used similiar tactics. Forestieri claims that he is a Yondan in Hapkido and I personally know that he NEVER received any rank higher than Nidan in that art. He, just like Santos forged a DAN certificate to say he was 4th DAN Hapkido. NOT TRUE! How do I know? I saw him do this and when I was asked to participate in the process I vehemently said "no...this is not right" and immediately disassociated myself with him. His website is www.shinjitsudojo.com . I find this funny, because shinjitsu supposedly means "the truth" and he and his former teacher are doing anything but!
 
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