Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis Martial Arts Blog

You Should Be Free

2010-02-01T22:42:00.001-08:00

Once you leave home, you should be free.
How many doors did you pass through?
You stroll above the world
And gaze down with the highest thoughts.
A healthy, cheerful body is a cloud,
A clear mind at rest is the bright moon.
With little food, in tattered clothes,
You soar over a thousand mountains like a bird

- Jinkag Haesim (1178-1234)

Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis

Life and Death

2010-01-24T12:01:00.000-08:00

The splendor of the world is
Just an empty dream-
Gathering and scattering, life and death:
Bubbles in water.
My only desire is to wander in Anyang.

- Daegak Euchon (1055-1101)

Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis

Everything

2010-01-16T09:26:00.000-08:00

Everything is on it's way somewhere.....everything!

Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis

History of the Japanese Martial Art of Senso-Ryu Aikijutsu

2010-01-12T22:11:00.000-08:00

In the late 1960's, after studying various Japanese martial arts and disciplines, Richard Behrens felt that something was missing. Every martial art had its benefits. Some focused on grappling, some on toe-toe fighting, some on weapons, some on projections or throws, etc. He believed that if you combined some of these styles, you could come out with one all encompassing martial art. On top of this, the main focus was to be full contact training dealing with realistic attacks and a strict adherence to meditation. He called his mixed marital art "Senso Aikijutsu". Senso Aikijutsu loosely translates to "battle art of spirit and harmony." He felt that the term "Senso" or "Battle" was appropriate because of the aggressive nature of the system.

Master Behrens was not the first nor the last person to combine or modify existing martial arts to create a new system. Many famous systems such as Judo and Aikido started the exact same way. MMA or "Mixed Martial Arts" are very popular today. What set Senso Aikijutsu apart from some of the other composite arts was the aggressive non-sport style of training, the meditation, and the higher level techniques. Great emphasis was placed on how the student attacked his fellow student in training. In a lot of martial arts, the attacks were very static and predictable. In Senso Aikijutsu, the attacks were wild and much more realistic.

Master Behrens began teaching Senso Aikijutsu in Long Island, New York in the early 1970's. He taught many people during this time including Police Officers from the NYPD. Some of these students who trained under Master Behrens back in the 1970's are continuing to teach Senso Aikijutsu today in one form or another. In 1979, he and his family moved to South Florida where he continued teaching. In 1983, Ted Hanulak began his studies under Master Behrens. Training was very rough back in those days. Classes were 2 hours, 3 days a week and then 3 hours on Sunday. You were required to attend every class. Ted Hanulak trained under Behrens Shihan for 8 years. In 1992, Hanulak Sensei began teaching, opening the first Aikijutsu Academy of Coral Springs Florida. He added the "Ryu" to the name making it "Senso-Ryu Aikijutsu". "Ryu" meaning "style" or "school".

Taking his experience from being a decorated Police Officer and head of security / bouncer in various nightclubs in South Florida for many years, Hanulak Sensei continue to evolve the art into a modern system of self defense. At the same time he knew the importance of continuing to teach it in a traditional fashion. Senso-Ryu had become the perfect blend of old and new. In 1999 he and his family moved to Indianapolis, Indiana and opened the 1st. Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis on the south side of the city. In 2002, he moved the dojo into his home on the north side of town where it continues today. Behrens Shihan, now retired, is the author of a number of books, both fiction and non fiction. Hanulak Sensei continues to teach Senso-Ryu Aikijutsu in Indianapolis, Indiana. There are currently licensed Senso-Ryu Dojo in Indiana, New York, Florida and Puerto Rico. Senso-Ryu continues to evolve and grow and owes a great debt of gratitude to its founder, Master Richard Behrens.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Cantor

Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis

Follow the Way

2010-01-10T09:24:00.000-08:00

When mortals are alive, they worry about death.
When they're full, they worry about hunger.
Theirs is the Great Uncertainty.

But sages don't consider the past.
And they don't worry about the future.
Nor do they cling to the present.
And from moment to moment they follow the Way.

Bodhidharma

Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis

Fine Flakes

2010-01-06T22:30:00.000-08:00

In fair Yoshino
The wind low on the mountain slopes
Grows more chilly still;
And half-hidden in the haze
Fine flakes of falling snow.

- Tonna (1289-1372)

Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis

The Intent of Zen

2010-01-01T09:27:00.001-08:00

After realizing the intent of Zen, people in ancient times used to spend decades polishing themselves thoroughly in order to free themselves from compulsions of conditioning and habit. This is called the work of maturation; the completion of maturation is called the attainment of unification.

- Muso Kokushi (1275-1351)

Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis

Japanese Swords - How To Properly Display Them

2009-12-31T22:10:00.000-08:00

Horizontal Stand

The Katana and Wakizashi - Long and short weapon worn by the Samurai in their obi. It should be displayed on the horizontal stand, sword curving down, sharp edge of the blade up. If you display the swords curving up with the edge on the bottom, this will put pressure on the upper cutting edge causing it to bend. Most people, despite having a 50/50 chance of getting it correct, will display the swords wrong. Perhaps it looks more "Asian" for the swords to be curving upwards. Never the less it is bad for the blade.

Handle (Tsuka) - To The Right or Left on Horizontal Stand?

If the handle is displayed to the left side, this is a sign of peace due to the fact that the sword poses no threat. This is because it can not be drawn from the stand without having to first lift it turning it over. If the handle to the right is a sign of aggression due that it can be drawn easily from the stand. Some say that handle to the left means untrained in swordsmanship and to the right means trained in swordsmanship. The handle facing rule is more of a personal preference and sometimes simply based on ornamentation.

Vertical Stand

The Jintachi - Saber type Japanese sword that hung horizontally from Samurai's waist. It should be displayed handle down, sword pointing up, blade facing in. This also protects the upper cutting edge just like the horizontal position.

How the swords are displayed is a good indication if the owner has basic knowledge of the weapon.

Ted Hanulak is the head instructor of the Japanese martial art of Senso-Ryu Aikijutsu. He teaches Aikijutsu and Zen meditation out of the Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis http://www.aiki-jutsu.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ted_Hanulak

Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis

Pattern of the Tao

2009-12-28T22:40:00.000-08:00

Once the human mind goes astray,
Truth, the true pattern of the Tao,
Is lost.
Once the human mind is gathered in,
The true pattern of the Tao is there.

- Hu Juren (1434-1484)

Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis

Eighty Four Thousand Gates

2009-12-25T13:50:00.000-08:00

I've lived in this hermitage
How long I don't know
Deep and secret and
Without obstructions
Heaven and earth meet
Like box and cover:
There's no turning toward
Or turning away.
I do not stay in the east, west,
South or north
The jewel tower and the jade palace
Do not stand opposite me.
I do not take guidelines from
Bodhidharma as a model
As the light shines freely through
Eighty four thousand gates.

- T'aego (1301-1382)

Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis

What is Mind?

2009-12-12T22:06:00.001-08:00

And what is mind
And how is it recognized?
If I clearly draw
In sumi ink, the sound
Of breezes drifting through pine
Is all that is seen.

- Ikkyu Sojun (1394-1481)

Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis

Realistic Randori (Multiple Attack) Senso-Ryu Aikijutsu

2009-12-05T07:47:00.001-08:00

Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis

True Buddha

2009-12-05T07:44:00.001-08:00

This morning I came from the expanse of reality.
Tonight I'll go into the expanse of reality.
I have the master's oral instructions
For a friend when I’m sad.
I spread out great bliss as a seat.
I wear the natural warmth
Of the primordial for clothing.
I use great equanimity for a pillow.
I'm friendly with intrinsic self-awareness
As a close companion.
I eat pure meditative concentration for food.
I drink continuity for a drink.
The food is eaten in nonduality,
The taste experienced as great bliss.
The actualization of the three
True buddha bodies is achieved.

- Godrakpa (1170-1249)

Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis

Self Defense Using Common Sense

2009-12-01T14:24:00.000-08:00

When people think of self defense, they usually think of martial arts. There is another kind, it is call common sense. A lot of the situations could be avoided all together just using our heads. People put themselves in harms way everyday without even realizing it. Here a few ideas to combat this problem.

Cellphones

Cellphone are one of the greatest inventions of the last century, and over the last 10 years it seems everyone has one. They can be very useful in calling for help, etc. Unfortunately people have a tendency to loose themselves in their phones. Besides the obvious dangers of driving while talking or texting, walking around mindlessly always on the phone, not paying attention can also be very dangerous. Bad guys look for opportunities such as these. It is simple, if you are not paying mind to what is going on around you, you are not going to see the danger coming.

Ipods

Ipods are fabulous. jogging or walking around with earphones plugged into your head all the time is not. Forget about getting hit by a car because you do not hear the horn, muggers and rapists look for people who are off in another world listening to thier music to attack. Also when jogging, women should jog in groups. I am amazed when I see a women, sometimes even at night, jogging by herself. A dog does not help either. A dog, regardless of breed, can be killed in an instant with a club or a knife. A group of people is far more of a deterrent to the criminal.

Social Networking

Everything you put on the Internet is public. It doesn't matter if your MySpace or Facebook page is set to private, someone is going to see it eventually. On the Internet you have zero privacy. If you have children, do not allow them to put personal information on these sites. Predators are always on the look out for this type of information. They can look at a photo and get a ton of information from whats in the background such as which school your child goes to or who your child's friends are, etc. They then take this information and use it to find out who your child is. Very scary.

Everyone must be pro-active in not becoming a victim or a statistic. Put that phone and ipod away when out in public. It looks very absent minded to say the least. Be mindful of what information goes on the internet. Everyone thinks they are invulnerable until it happens to them.

Ted Hanulak is the head instructor of the Japanese martial art of Senso-Ryu Aikijutsu. He teaches Aikijutsu and Zen meditation out of the Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis http://www.aiki-jutsu.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ted_Hanulak

Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis

The Depths of the Night

2009-11-24T15:12:00.001-08:00

The moon illuminates a thousand peaks
with the brilliance of daylight,
The sound of the bell falls
on my pillow of old friend's poems;
In my thin monk's robes,
unafraid of the frost's harshness,
I rise, roll up the thin blinds,
sit in the depths of the night.

- Tesshu Tokusai (?–1366)

Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis

Transending the Buddhas and Zen Masters

2009-11-18T15:50:00.000-08:00

Whatever you are doing, twenty-four hours a day, in all your various activities, there is something that transcends the Buddhas and Zen Masters; but as soon as you want to understand it, it's not there. As soon as you try to gather your attention on it, you have already turned away from it. That is why I say you see but cannot do anything about it.

- Foyan (1067–1120)

Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis

The True Path

2009-11-15T10:39:00.000-08:00

It has been asked,
"How should those who enter the
path apply their minds?"
All things are originally uncreated
And presently undying.
Just let your mind be free;
You don't have to restrain it.
See directly and hear directly;
Come directly and go directly.
When you must go,
Then go.
When you must stay,
Then stay.
This is the true path.
A scripture says, "Conditional
existence is the site of
enlightenment,
insofar as you know it as it really is."

- Niu-t'ou Hui-chung (683-769)

Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis

The Great Way of the Buddhas

2009-11-11T10:16:00.001-08:00

The great way of the buddhas is profound, wondrous, inconceivable; how could its practice be easy? Have you not seen how the ancients gave up their bodies and lives, abandoned their countries, cities, and families, looking upon them as shards of tile? After that they passed eons living alone in the mountains and forests, bodies and minds like dead trees; only then did they unite with the way. Then they could use the mountains and rivers for words, raise the wind and rain for a tongue, and explain the great void, turning the incomparable wheel.

- Dogen (1200-1253)

Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis

Visiting a Zen Master

2009-11-05T18:49:00.000-08:00

A dog barking and the sound of water;
Peach blossoms heavy with dew.
In these deep woods, deer can be seen;
At noon along the stream, I hear no bell.
Wild bamboo divides gray clouds;
Waterfalls hang from blue peaks.
No one knows where you’ve gone;
Disheartened, I lean against a second,
Now a third pine.

- Li Po

Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis

Betraying the Blossoms

2009-11-04T08:31:00.001-08:00

Cherry blossoms filling the ground,
Sunset filling my eyes:
Blossoms vanished, spring old,
I feel the passing years.
When blossoms were at their finest I neglected to call.
The blossoms did not betray me.
I betrayed the blossoms.

- Ishikawa Jozan (1583-1672)

Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis

The Universe is Still

2009-11-01T07:54:00.000-08:00

Right among the people coming and going
I have a place to stay
I shut the gate even in the daytime
And feel as though I had bought
Wo-chu the great mountain
And had it with me in town.
Never since I was born have I
Liked to argue, mouth full of blood.
My mouth is made fast to heaven and earth
So the universe is still.

- Muso Soseki (1275-1351)

Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis

Without Speaking, Without Silence

2009-10-31T09:48:00.000-07:00

A monk asked Fuketsu: `Without speaking, without silence, how can you express the truth?'
Fuketsu observed: `I always remember spring-time in southern China. The birds sing among innumerable kinds of fragrant flowers.'

Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis

Without Boundary

2009-10-30T09:30:00.000-07:00

Vast and spacious, like sky and water
Merging during autumn, like snow and moon
having the same color
this field is without boundary,
beyond direction,
magnificently one entity
without edge or seam.

- Hongzhi (1091-1157)

Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis

A Man of the Way

2009-10-29T10:14:00.000-07:00

A man of the Way comes rapping
At my brushwood gate,
Wants to discuss the essentials of Zen experience.
Don't take it wrong if this mountain monk's
Too lazy to open his mouth:
Late spring warblers singing their heart out,
A village of drifting petals.

- Jakushitsu Genko (1290-1367)

Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis

Turning the Incomparable Wheel

2009-10-24T07:37:00.000-07:00

The great way of the Buddhas is profound, wondrous, inconceivable; how could its practice be easy? Have you not seen how the ancients gave up their bodies and lives, abandoned their countries, cities, and families, looking upon them as shards of tile?

After that they passed eons living alone in the mountains and forests, bodies and minds like dead trees; only then did they unite with the way. Then they could use the mountains and rivers for words, raise the wind and rain for a tongue, and explain the great void, turning the incomparable wheel.

- Dogen (1200-1253)

Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis