User:Takeda32

Tenshin Aikido although it's not a style of aikido like Yoshinkan or Tomiki Aikido, Tenshin Aikido is the named used to describe the aikido that is taught and practiced by Steven Seagal and his students. There are very little technical differences in Tenshin Aikido when compared to other Aikido styles to deem it a style of its own. All dan (black belt ranks) are issued directly from Aikido World Headquarters (Aikikai Hombu Dojo) in Tokyo, Japan. Seagal himself is a 7th degree black belt in Aikido awarded to him by the late Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba the founder of Aikido son. Tenshin Aikido has been called "hard style Aikido" but it's no harder than Yoshinkan or Iwama style. As a matter of fact, Tenshin Aikido strongly resembles Iwama style due to the fact that while Seagal was in Japan he studied with and was influnenced by Hiroshi Isoyama Shihan 8th degree black belt in Aikido and a student of the founder of Aikido and Morihiro Saito Sensei during the "Iwama years". Currently, Isoyama Sensei is the chief instructor of the Iwama Dojo.

Tenshin Aikido is an effective method of self-defense, it is also a way to stay fit & healthy, a discipline for personal growth, and a lifelong challenge in self-perfection. There are many whom claim to be teaching "Pure Tenshin Aikido" but no such thing exsist. Seagal has only promoted a handfull of students to the black belt level and out of this small group of individuals only three students currently teach with Seagal's blessing. These students are Craig Dunn, Taos Kihon Dojo, Taos NM, Jorge Angulo Tenshin Dojo, Miami, Fla, (no connection to the former Tenshin Dojo in LA.) and Eliott Freeman Three Rivers Aikido, St. Louis Mo. Each instructor enjoys his own personal relationship with Seagal and have received black belt ranking directly from Seagal and their rank is registered and easily verifed with the Aikikai.

It must be noted that Seagal Sensei niether endorses or approves of any US based organization claiming to be teaching Tenshin Aikido. Seagal Sensei only recognizes and supports the Aikikai Hombu Dojo in Tokyo, Japan.

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