History of Senso-Ryu Aikijutsu - Japanese Martial Art

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.

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