Frequently Asked Questions
Historically, Aikijutsu or Aikijujutsu was one
the major unarmed martial arts of the Samurai. It is an advanced
form of Jujutsu and is over 800 years old. Aikijutsu is the
father of modern Aikido. Our school or style of Aikijutsu is called
"Senso-Ryu", which translates to "War Style". Originally founded in
the 1960's by Richard Behrens Shihan, It is a mixed martial art based on
the ancient systems of feudal Japan and the Samurai.
Richard Behrens Shihan
Senso-Ryu is taught in a very
traditional manner. It contains projections (throws), grappling, striking,
weapons,
with "Aiki" principles and control techniques. It is an effective, well
rounded system primarily focusing on defense against multiple
attackers. This art is extremely effective
for law enforcement and security work. We claim no direct connection
to any koryu system.
"What we offer is a martial art that actually works in
today's modern world yet at the same time still embraces the ideals
and traditions of old."
The current head of the Senso-Ryu and chief
instructor at the Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis Hombu Dojo is
Ted Hanulak Sensei
There are currently official Senso-Ryu dojo under
Ted Hanulak Sensei in Indiana,
New York, Florida, Maryland
and Puerto Rico.
Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis Hombu Dojo
How is the Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis different
from other martial art dojo or schools?
The dojo etiquette and atmosphere is of the
traditional nature and austere in its design. We consider the dojo to be a sacred place
were men and women hone their skills and perfect their character
through hard training and deep introspection. The focus is on
practical self defense. We believe that we are one of just a few
dojo left that still train in such a manner.
Training in our system is a serious commitment
and not for everyone.
Many people today treat martial arts as a pastime or hobby and the
dojo like a club. We do not. Our training is designed for those who
will actually have to use it in real life. Many of our students are
in professions that can be dangerous so there is no time for
pretending or posturing.
You do not teach children?
We do not teach children. We only accept students
18 years of age or older. We rarely have anyone studying under the
age of 21. A high level of maturity is required due to the
aggressive nature of the art and the level of commitment that is
required.
How long does it take to become a black
belt in your system?
The more appropriate question should be "How long
does it take to become proficient in self defense in your system?"
The answer to that lies solely on the individual student.
Our system, as with all martial arts, requires
the student to learn specific numbers of principles and techniques.
Becoming "proficient" with these principles and techniques in actual
fighting situations is a different story altogether. This is what
separates those who just learn techniques like dance moves and those
who can actually apply them in dangerous life threatening
situations.
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Shiho nage
What is the training like?
Contact and striking distance between students is
first and foremost the most important part of our training. Contact
can range from soft to hard as skill advances but it still must be
made at all times. Striking distance has to be realistic. The
students must strike through their targets, not stopping 4 inches
away. This can create a dangerous false confidence.
When you practice, ultimately you are training
your reflexes to deal with surprise attacks. What is repeatedly
practiced in class is what will "come out" in the street when
attacked for real. In other words, if you practice pulling your
strikes in training, then that is exactly what you will do when you
are actually attacked. People like to think that they can "step it
up" when it hits the fan so to speak, even though they train in
unrealistic ways. It doesn't work this way.
How many times have you watched a martial art
class and thought to yourself "Nobody attacks like that in real
life." In many martial art systems the attacks are done in such a
fashion to actually help the defender execute a throw or perform a
technique. In the beginning this is necessary for initial learning,
but eventually it must be taken to the next level. Many martial arts
stop short at this point. We do not.
"The only way the defending student can
realistically practice is if the attacking student legitimately
attacks."
Learning to attack
Learning to attack is an art form within itself.
The new student is first taught how to attack his fellow student.
That may sound strange but what you have to understand is the only
way the defending student can realistically practice is if the
attacking student legitimately attacks. In real life, people
often attack with wild abandonment - flailing arms, tackling,
biting, kicking, eye gouging..etc. If this is how most street
attacks happen, would it not make sense to train against such
attacks? At the Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis, we practice against these types
attacks. We also practice simulating realistic environments such as
training in the dark, against surprise attacks, multiple attacks,
etc.
Outdoor Zen Meditation Area
How does meditation work with the martial
arts?
You can study a martial art for many years and be
the best in your dojo, but when that day comes when you have to
defend yourself in real life, you may find you cannot. Fear over
comes you, you make mistakes, your heart is pounding, you are
sweating, and none of your techniques seem to work. Why? In the dojo
everything works just great! Outside of the
dojo, when someone is actually trying to harm you for real, you feel
like you never trained a day in your life! What is going on? What
can you do?
One way is to practice in the most authentic
fashion you can. Keeping in mind that the dojo is a controlled
environment, training must be as realistic as possible. Attacks must
be full contact and intended to strike through target, not stop an
inch before it. Hard physical contact must be made at all times
between students. Defense against surprise multiple attacks must be
practiced repeatedly to be sufficiently engrained in muscle memory.
Now, despite all of this hardcore physical training, there is still
something that is necessary.
Zen Meditation
The most effective way is through Zen meditation.
Zen meditation has been taught in conjunction with the martial arts
since the days of feudal Japan. It is only until recently that it
has been erased from American martial art programs due to religious
ignorance or intolerance.
A major problem confronting martial arts today is
that many instructors instill false confidence in their students,
having them believe that they can actually defend themselves in life
threatening situations without realistic physical / internal
training. Jumping around, kicking and screaming, like in the movies
is complete nonsense and does not work.
When we perceive sudden
danger a chemical change occurs in our brains. This causes our heart
rate to rapidly increase. The "fight or flight" instinct kicks
in. We should run for our lives like we did when we were cave man
being attacked by the saber tooth tiger, but today we don't. Instead
we stand our ground. Then something strange happens - you start to perceive your
surroundings in a “tunnel vision”. Your
heart goes into your throat, everything becomes blurry, everything
seems to happen so fast, etc. You will begin to shake and have a slight
hearing loss due to an adrenaline dump. This has happened to
everyone at one time or another. This feeling can be very slight or
very pronounced but enough to throw all of your techniques off by a
hair. You will miss your target or be late to block an oncoming
attack. You will lose.
Through the daily practice of meditation, your
normal heart rate will lower. Your pattern of breathing will
actually change. With daily meditation, you will begin to breathe
from your lower abdomen or hara (Jap.) in long deep breaths. This is
the way that babies breathe or a person who is sleeping. This is why
people who practice daily meditation appear centered, calm. At the
moment of danger your heart rate will still rise, but only slightly,
keeping you much calmer to deal with whatever situation has just
occurred and allowing any techniques that you have learned to "come
out".
This will also keep your mind focused, so that it
is not running all over the place in fear. This is why meditation
was so important to the Samurai while in battle. Without Zen
training, the Samurai would be worrying about getting killed instead
of killing the enemy. This of course would result in their death.
Moral opinion aside, Zen meditation served the Samurai's purpose.
On a more altruistic note, meditation can also
give the defender the option of not killing or even hurting the
attacker. Since the defender is in control of his own mind, he is
not just allowing chaos to determine the outcome of the
altercation. This is an extremely difficult to master. Just
talking about it does nothing. Many martial arts profess that they are peaceful,
non-violent arts. This is a noble sentiment. But without the
internal training, it cannot realistically be achieved.
"Only a warrior can choose pacifism, all others are
condemned to it"
Kenjutsu
Do you teach weapons?
We train with traditional weaponry such as bokken, Jo, katana, and tanto for the practice of balance, control, and the forging
of courage in the arts of Kenjutsu, Iaijutsu, and Tantojutsu. We
teach defense against modern weapons such as the gun, club, bat, etc. We do not however, give out separate
rank in weaponry.
How do I join the Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis
Please visit the Contact & Schedule page
for information on joining.