AIKIDO ALIVE U.K. — 5 Clubs of
Traditional Iwama Takemusu Aikido:
• Aikido Alive Wells, Somerset
• Agatsu Aikido Alive London
• Byakudo Aikido Alive S London
• Aikido Alive Manchester
• Aikido Alive Cornwall
AIKIKAI AND BAB MEMBERS. Aikido in a living relationship, traditional yet modern, Aikido Alive London meet the needs of our body and mind, soul and spirit, in an integral and evolutionary cont
ext, blending the art of Aikido with yoga, meditation and spiritual self-inquiry with a directed and open dialogue. As a spiritual discipline, Aikido serves to awaken a larger sense of self, incorporating all facets of our human experience in one holistic perspective. Self-knowledge and expanded awareness, together with an open heart, brings about a communal understanding with a shared aim, purpose and goal. Aikido Alive London motivates each participant to progress in their own pace towards greater freedom and understanding. Aikido Alive U.K. head teacher and director Bjorn Saw Sensei, 5 dan Aikikai, have one of the longest experiences of traditional Iwama Takemusu Aikido in the UK, having begun his Aikido training in 1974 for Saito Sensei's then representative in Europe, Takeji Tomita Shihan (7 dan) at Takemusu Aikido Scandinavia in Stockholm, Sweden. Bjorn Sensei then spent two and half years training under the late Morihiro Saito Shihan (9 dan) in Iwama, Japan, between 1987 and 1993. Aikido Alive was founded in September 2002 in the RFH Recreation Club in Hampstead NW3 London. Member of the United Kingdom Aikikai with links and affiliation to Aikikai Hombu dojo, the world headquarters of Aikido in Tokyo, Japan. Initially, aikido developed from Daitoryu Aikijujitsu which was handed down by the old Aizu clan. In particular, from the Edo period it was called Oshikiuchi and received the support of the Daimyo (feudal lord). It was revived by Sokaku Takeda (1860-1943) who learned Onoha Ittoryu Kenjitsu in his childhood. He studied Jikishinkageryu Kenjitsu for a long time and also Hozoinryu Sojutsu so he incorporated sword techniques into the jujitsu system. In the early Edo period the study of atemi waza (striking techniques) and kansetsu waza (joint techniques) was highly recommended by all schools. This was because jujitsu became a method of self-defence; attacks came from people wearing ordinary clothes in times of peace rather than by armour clad enemies on battlefields. Empty handed jujitsu had absorbed the principles of sword techniques and on this point Daitoryu was particularly outstanding. Morihei Ueshiba Sensei (1883-1969) started studying Tenjinshinyoryu, Kitoryu, Yagyuryu and other jujitsu styles. In 1915 aged 32, he became a student of Sokaku Takeda and displayed his natural talent. He was also a very pious man and is believed to have received enlightenment, often referred to as ‘shinjin aiki’. As a result he changed the name aikijujitsu and founded aikido
