The style of "Senso-Ryu", which translates to "Battle Style", is a gendai goshin sogo bujutsu or "modern composite martial art of self defense" consisting of jujutsu (grappling, submissions, immobilizations), atemi- waza (striking techniques), projections (throws) with "aiki" principles, and weapons.
Originally developed in the late 1960's by Richard Behrens from various Japanese arts, It is an effective, well rounded system primarily focusing on defense against multiple attackers (taninsu kake). Senso-Ryu claim no direct connection to any specific koryu.
Training in this system is a serious commitment and not for everyone. Many people today treat martial arts as a "pastime" or "hobby" and the dojo like a "club". The training is designed for those who will actually have to use it in real life.
Senso-Ryu offers students the unique opportunity to practice realistic martial arts and meditation together with other adults. Children under the age of 18 are not taught. Martial arts have become extremely commercialized and child orientated over the last 35 years. Senso-Ryu Aikijutsu is a style were one can train with other adults, away from the modern trappings of commercial martial arts, and become part of a family of serious yet friendly martial artists.
Contact and striking distance between students is first and foremost the most important part of training. Contact can range from soft to hard as skill advances but it still must be made. Striking distance has to be realistic. The students must strike through their targets, not stopping 6 inches away. This can create a dangerous false confidence.
When you practice, ultimately you are training your reflexes to deal with surprise attacks. What is repeatedly practiced in class is what will "come out" in the street when attacked for real. If you practice pulling your strikes, then that is exactly what you will do. People like to think that they can "step it up" when actually attacked even though they train in unrealistic ways. It doesn't work this way.
How many times have you watched a martial art class and thought to yourself "Nobody attacks like that in real life." In many systems the attacks are done in such a fashion to actually help the defender execute a throw or perform a technique. In the beginning this is necessary for initial learning, but eventually it must be taken to the next level. Many martial arts stop short at this point.
Learning to attack is an art form within itself. The new student is first taught how to attack his fellow student. That may sound strange but what you have to understand is the only way the defending student can realistically practice is if the attacking student legitimately attacks. In real life, people often attack with wild abandonment, flailing arms, biting, kicking, eye gouging..etc. If this is how most street attacks happen, would it not make sense to train against such attacks? In Senso-Ryu, students practice against these types attacks. Simulating realistic environments such as training in the dark, against surprise attacks, multiple attacks is also a priority.
