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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.
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.