Aiki is a fundamental principal of combat. It is the act of destroying your opponent’s will to fight or dominance. It has been described as the art of defeating your enemy with a single glance. Aiki-jujutsu (or Aiki-jujitsu) is the art of creating an aiki situation by the use of jujutsu/jujitsu techniques. Aiki-jujutsu is a warrior fighting method used during Japan’s many civil wars of the past. It was designed to either cripple or kill an opponent. The art makes use of striking techniques against the body and its weak points. The core principle is tai sabaki, or body positioning. When an attack is launched, the practitioner steps to neutralize or parry. Locks, chokes, strikes, or throws can control opponents. When working with partner, unlike in aikido, resistance by the partner to the techniques is encouraged. The attacks and holds are made with power and focus.

There are three methods employed in the execution of techniques within this school. The jujutsu method relies entirely upon strikes and kicks to the opponent’s body. This method employs purely physical force and is part of the very beginning techniques taught to students. The aiki-jujutsu method is the second level that combines strikes (atemi) with aiki timing and force. The emphasis is on control and the manipulation of joints and limbs. The final and highest level employs aiki no jutsu methods that rely on aiki timing and control. Movements are reduced to a minimum and control of the opponent is with aiki or ki control.  

A student has to select a martial art based on the student’s needs. Some martial arts are sports oriented, some are tournament oriented, and others spiritual oriented. TenShin is combat oriented with an emphasis on defending against multiple attackers. If the objective of your training is the cultivation of self-defense skills, you should expect the training to be primarily designed to cultivate self-defense skills. Likewise, if the objective of the training is the cultivation of character, you should expect the training to be primarily designed to cultivate character. Cultivation of character is a good reason to study the martial arts, but is has nothing to do with fighting. In the classical martial arts, the only question is, “Would I do that in a real fight?” and “Will it work?” A combative art is judged by how well it does not what it says it is supposed to do.

Not all techniques within a martial art are equal because not all were created for the same purpose. People make martial arts systems but the system does not necessarily make a fighter. The technique or method by which you do something is important but not as important as you. The system provides skills but systems do not fight – people do. The art must fit the person.

The choice of a dojo is a very personal one. Everyone has their own path of learning, their own goals and expectations. The "best" dojo for one person is likely not the same as the "best" dojo for the next person. If one is lucky enough to live in an area that has several, visit all of them. Get permission to watch some classes and observe how classes are taught and how the students and instructors relate to each other. Is there a sense of mutual respect? Is there tension and fear? Does the atmosphere seem to promote growth? Most importantly, are you comfortable there? Try to visit while the chief instructor is teaching, but also try to get a feel for other people who may be teaching. See if the teacher appears to respect the students and that they respect him/her.

Aiki-budo training is a cooperative, not competitive, enterprise. Techniques are learned through training with a partner, not an opponent. You must always be careful to practice in such a way that you temper the speed and power of your technique in accordance with the abilities of your partner. Your partner is lending his/her body to you for you to practice on – it is not unreasonable to expect you to take good care of what has been lent you. Your training is your own responsibility. Part of martial arts training is learning to observe effectively. Training may sometimes be very frustrating and learning to cope with this frustration is also a part of the training. Students need to observe themselves in order to determine the root of their frustration and dissatisfaction with their progress. Sometimes the cause is a tendency to compare oneself too closely with other students. Notice, however, that this is itself a form of competition. It is a fine thing to admire the talents of others and to strive to emulate them, but care should be taken not to allow comparisons with others to foster resentment, or excessive self-criticism.

The physical skills are not learned within a few sessions. It takes months just to learn the basic movements and years of repeated practice to become skilled in the martial arts. Everyone is different and students’ progress at their own rate depending on their dedication and individual goals. Students are ranked and promoted based on their ability to successfully develop the specific skills required for each rank.

Note: We often use the Korean names and versions of techniques because the instructors often teach at local Tae Kwon Do schools.

There are no 'styles' of Aikido. It is like cheese cake. You can cut it in wedges or squares or just dig in with your fork but it is still cheese cake!