Product Description
Learn one of the most effective Martial Arts, the Aikijutsu. A proven and effective self defense system used by the Samurai in ancient Japan. Perfect for close combat fighting.
Visit The Official Site: Aikijutsu Academy
Overview & Opinion
Note: This review is based on my own personal research and opinions of the product and the author.
Alright, so I got a chance to research the Aikijutsu Academy by Armando Sensei. And I’ve got to say my first time watching his videos Aikijutsu reminded me a lot about Steven Seagal – who is pretty hardcore.
But aside from that, I was able to compile some facts about the online membership.
Unfortunately, however, I wasn’t able to find user reviews of the product besides the testimonials on the website. But from what I’ve gathered, it seems pretty legit. Let me explain…
It wasn’t until recently that I learned about Aikijutsu. And I’m a big time martial artist fan. I’ve practiced and trained in Sil Lum Kung Fu, BJJ, MMA, Kali, and Muay Thai. I’ve read a few martial arts books, watched some training videos, and of course read some of Bruce Lee’s books.
I guess, you can say I’m a little interested in learning about Martial Arts. So when I came across Aikijutsu for the first time, it really caught my attention.
If you know a little bit about the history, then you’ll know that Aikijutsu or Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu (what Aikijutsu Academy is about) was created by Takeda Sokaku. This form of fighting style was created during the Samurai era. And it was an effective fighting style that is being used by some of the police and military forces.
Like I said before, my first time seeing it. It was like watching a Steven Seagal flick. One of the reasons why I saw a similarity with Steven Segal, who practices Aikido, is because Aikido is derived from Daito- Ryu. Which Aikijujutsu originated from as well. But it is a more passive form of self defense. And from what some folks have stated, Aikido does not employ techniques as precise or intricate as Aikijutsu. (I don’t know, it seems pretty precise when I watch Mr. Segal in action.)
What I also learned was that the true form of Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu uses small very intricate techniques that are supposed to control, disrupt and confuse your attacker. Even to the point where the attack seems a failure before it is completely executed. So I guess it’s like a Jedi Master telegraphing the opponents moves.
But one question I had in mind was… is this applicable in a street fight? After watching a few videos, I can say that it could be but it would require a lot of practice and skill. The moves if done correctly can be done without very little effort, since you are using the opponents force against them. And you are making precise strikes with joint locks, added with some quick punches or kicks.
This is what you’ll be getting with the Aikijutsu Academy. The lessons you’ll learn from the online membership video are taught by a 3rd degree black belt in Aikijujutsu Daito-Ryu, Armando Sensei. He’s been practicing martial arts for over 30 years and has his own dojo of students where he teaches the exact same methods. So he should know what works.
The Aikijutsu Academy is like your personal one-on-one instructor, but at a very low discounted price. Instead of going to a gym you’ll get lessons online through videos. They come in modules every month with various new lessons, that are taught from a beginner to advanced level.
You won’t need any equipment and you don’t need any previous knowledge of martial arts. However, I would recommend having a sparring or training partner so you can hone your skills.
Here’s a sneak peak of what you’ll be able to access as member:
- Over 150 videos of how to’s on joint locks, throws, and more.
- How to lessons on disarming an assailant armed with a knife.
- How to fend yourself from a position on the ground.
- 8 rank advancements, you’ll have to submit a video for testing.
- Armando Sensei’s personal help to critique on how to improve and become truly effective.
As a fellow martial artist, I think the Aikijutsu Academy could be a great way to learn a useful self defense without having to pay an expensive gym membership fee. Plus, the videos can be very educational and you’ll gain a lot of knowledge of the art.
But let me state this. In order to truly master an art it takes practice, hard work, and dedication. Essentially, what makes the art effective is the student. So choose whatever works for you and continue to experiment until you find the right one.
If you want more information, be sure to check out Aikijutsu Academy. And come back to post your comments. I would love to hear your feedback!
All the best,
Carl
What’s the difference between Aikijutsu and Aikido? And which is better? Well over at Blackbelt magazine, author F.J. Lovret wrote an extensive article that was well researched on the history of Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu.
What he says is that Diato-ryu is the core style that many of the modern Japanese martial arts have originated from. One of the popular martial arts that has derived from Diato-ryu is Aikido. And the lesser known being Aikijujutsu.
There are quite a few differences between these two, in technique and in philosophy. When it comes to technique and execution of the moves, the attacks of the Aikijujutsu are more powerful and in fact can be quite deadly, compared to Aikido’s soft techniques. Whereas Aikido uses large circle techniques, Aikijutsu utilizes “small-circle techniques that are much more combat efficient” which makes it much more difficult to practice.
But what I found interesting was that Aikijujutsu was created for a realistic scenario of combat. Hence, they used training partners that weighed nearly 300lbs! And if you could somehow throw someone weighing more than three times your size, without having to unbalance them. Then this proved that the technique really worked.
Now the article covers quite a bit and goes extensively into the history. If you would like to learn more about the history and some other cool facts. Just click on the reference link at the bottom.
Hopefully the information will help you to discern the difference between the art. I don’t like to go into which art is better than the other, because I believe each Martial art has its own usefulness in different settings. I know that I see a lot of folks in the forums who make posts stating that one art is better than the other. And they start delving into tireless debates on the reason why one art works and why one doesn’t in real life scenarios.
In my humble opinion, I don’t believe that one art is better than the other. Rather an art is made by the student.
I know this may start to sound like I’m going off topic. But I feel that as a Martial artist we get carried away with our egos and become attached to certain arts when we shouldn’t. It is said that one of Bruce Lee’s philosophy was, “Absorb what is useful, discard what is useless, and add what is essentially your own.”
So if you are planning to join Aikijutsu. Don’t be dissuaded by others who say it’s a useless art or that another art is better. And if you are curious about Aikido then try that as well. In fact, try both and see which one works for you.
Best of luck,
Carl
References. http://www.blackbeltmag.com/daily/traditional-martial-arts-training/aikido/daito-ryu-aikijujutsu-vs-aikido. For information about how to get started learning Aikijutsu online, visit www.aikijutsuacademy.com
In this up coming video, Sensei Armando, shows a variety of Aikijutsu knife defense techniques. One thing you’ll notice is how the techniques are fluid and seem effortless. Admittedly, in a real life scenario things won’t go smoothly. You’ll be faced with many factors such as your environment, your attacker, and yourself.
When it comes to the environment. Such situations will vary like being in a crowded area or open space, but it’s important that you understand your surroundings. There are some moves that work in tight spaces and some that don’t.
Then there is the unpredictability of the attacker. How will your attacker come at you? The average person has no clue how to properly wield a knife. They usually have no training in martial arts. So you’ll have the advantage in knowing the right techniques to defend against an attack, but you can’t rely on the idea that the attack will be one dimensional. Meaning, that they will attack the same way you’ve been trained in the dojo.
A major factor in knife defense is yourself or your emotions. Your adrenaline will be kicking in at a high notch, things will seem to slow down or speed up. Your palms may be sweating and you’ll feel your heart almost explode from the pure adrenaline rush. But you’ve got to keep a cool head and remember your training!
Now Aikijutsu can prepare you for knife attacks by giving you some techniques that you can use. But it’s not something that you just learn in a few short days. It requires practice to get this down. And as always you should have a training partner, so you can better hone your skills. Having a training partner come at you with a rubber knife or utensil will give you a sense of distance, timing, and will emphasize the need for proper technique.
Back to the demonstration video, you’ll notice that Armando’s student tries to demonstrate a real life scenario by using wild swing attacks; swinging wide and then coming in straight with the knife. Sensei Armando then moves out of range from the attack, but always trying to keep his stance and balance in check. Once he spots an opening he then uses one of the Aikijutsu knife defense to neutralize the attacker.
We can criticize the video by saying that it seems robotic, but you should focus on the technique. Watch how he defends against an overhead attack and how he uses various knife defense techniques against a straight knife thrust.
Remember, this was and is an open hand martial arts that was created by a Samurai. And those guys were wielding swords and knife those days. So these moves should be effective in a real life situation.
If you want to check out the Aikijutsu Academy where Sensei Armando teaches these knife defense techniques and more, Click Here.
Aikijutsu Academy dot net is a site focused on reviewing and taking an in depth look at what the Aikijutsu Academy program is by Sensei Armando Toral.
As someone who is very passionate about martial arts, especially anything that has to do with Samurai or Ninja’s. I’m pretty excited about going into depth about Aikijutsu. So this will be a treat for me to dive into what this program is about and hopefully help you decide whether or not it is for you.
Making it happen,
Carl