"Senso ryu" Aikijutsu/ Theodore Hanulak

[Mark Jakabcsin]

Originally posted by Cady Goldfield
Hey, I resent that! I didn't cry that easily as a 6-year-old!

Sorry Cady, no offense intended. I guess I need to work on being more PC. It ain't going to be easy.

Take care,
mark j.

[someguy]

When i first started at the Aikijutsu Academy it had a ranking system like this


novice: a white gi with a white belt

intermediate: a black gi with the same white belt

porbaionary black belt : black gi and a black belt

Shodan: black gi black belt under Hakkama
and then first dan to tenth dan
now he has given up the Dan ranking for a Menkyo system.

Menkyo Shodan: begining transmission of the higher princples or medaphisical parts of the arts like controls, pulsing etc.

Menkyo Okudan: Has mastered the higher parts of the art and can demonstrait them in a multiple attack and so has mastered multipule attack.

menkyo Chudan: Has demonstraited the ability and wish to teach the art.

and Menkyo Kaiden: head of the system. to be given out after his death or retirement.

So the white belt you have you carry til your a black belt or about three years in that three years you take a lot of beatings in a mutliple attacker set up which is what the system is based on. They go full contact no pads for the black belt classes. I believe the sytem is very effective that is not what I'm questioning what i'm question is the Zen part of the art. Enio Sotou Roshi(roshi means Zen master} who also taught at first Ted said Aikijutsu but just called it AIkijutsu then he said he taught a rough form of ju jutsu and now he just taught Zen.This is where my questions come from the changing of the stories about Sotou Roshi. If it is a picture fo Sotou Roshi then great when I teach, if also choose to teach Senso Ryu, then i can do so and if i wish to return to study more i can with piece of mind.

James Fitzgerald

ps when a student hit you and made you bleed you put your blood on his belt but do to concerts about aids,now you put your blood on your belt. Ted told me i could teach i had the ability but he would never formally give me permission to do so, unless i returned and spent another five years with him. but that is beside the point. Ted always said Senso Ryu was more of what he learned from behrens who started teaching Senso Aikijutsu in 1964 before it was a buzz word even Aikido was not very common.

[chrismoses]

"ps when a student hit you and made you bleed you put your blood on his belt but do to concerts about aids,now you put your blood on your belt. Ted told me i could teach i had the ability but he would never formally give me permission to do so, unless i returned and spent another five years with him. but that is beside the point."

Gee that sounds healthy. That's got to be one of the grossest practices ever. Maybe you should find a school that isn't abusive before you catch some blood-borne pathogen. I vote for a move to Baffling Budo on this one. "Danger Will Robinson, Danger!"

[Nathan Scott]

Mr. Fitzgerald,

I appreciate your reply, and your more tempered tone.

Thanks for the insight on the ranking structure, "bloody belts" tradition, and effectiveness of the school. First hand experience is helpful to hear.

I've never been able to find a picture of this "Roshi", or much information on him, so I understand your hesitation. However, the question would be better directed to Mr. Behrens, since this is who Mr. Hanulak claims to have been trained under. I've never been able to find anything concrete out about "Roshi" (which sounds like it may be a Zen name, not a given name), or what qualifications he has/had to teach "Aikijutsu".

It seems to me that students of Mr. Hanulak and Mr. Behrens are well within their rights to ask them about their teachers, and request to see letters/photos/menjo, etc. On the other hand, if these instructors are not willing to produce such things to the satisfaction of students, they are welcome to train elsewhere under instructors who are more forthcoming about their background.

Senso-ryu advertised as an art that is modern, and headed up by Mr. Hanulak here in the US. You say that it is effective, and it sounds as though you value the training. So if I understand you, your only reservation is about your teacher's teacher, and perhaps where the methods are derived from. If you are thinking of pursuing the art further, then I understand why you would be wishing to find out more about this. But otherwise, I don't see anything clearly "wrong".

Unless they are clearly making false claims, I for one would not be interested in spending my own time finding out more about this subject, as I have no vested interest in the art or the history.

On the other hand, if you find out anything that you think would be useful for prospective students of either of these instructors/arts to know, please feel free to post it here.

Good luck,

[kokumo]

Nathan --

Though I suspect you know as much, it should be noted that "Roshi" is common title given to senior zen monks that is no more a clue to the individual's identity than "Shihan" would be to that of a particular martial arts instructor.

Best,

Fred Little

[A.J. Bryant]

So, is Mr. Hanulak claiming this is a picture of his former teacher (Soto), since it's hanging beside Mr. Behrens in one picture of the kamiza? Or, does he claim a connection to Hakko-ryu in some way? Just curious.

When I first came upon Mr. Hanulak's website in the early 90's, there was a clear connection made to Daito-ryu aikijujutsu and Sokaku Takeda (Soto was said to have been a student--or his father was). Then, the history became that this Soto passed the "Senso-ryu" to Hanulak. Recently, it has slowly shifted to be the sole creation of Mr. Hanulak, based upon his studies with Mr. Behrens...

To all this I say fine, just be honest about what it is you do--not only to yourself, but to your students at the very least.

[Chuck.Gordon]

Heya James, Andy ...

James, we corresponded a bit some time ago, if you remember. I expressed some concern about Ted's teachings and presentation at that time because I was leaving the Indy area and wanted to make recommendations for my students to find good teachers should they choose to train under another system.

I found Hanulak's history less than digestible and noted that he'd actually changed the tale more than once. I have no idea what his actual physical curriculum is like, in terms of effectiveness or anything else, but have spoken with people who have observed classes and who were former students and none told me anything that made me feel comfortable sending my students anywhere near him.

I searched long and hard to try to find any veracity in the alleged history of Senso Ryu and came up pretty much barren, except for his connection with Behrens.

The ONLY references I could come up with for Enio Soto (Roshi or not) pointed to a gentleman who was Puerto Rican and who sold insurance for a living. In Florida, oddly enough.

I also contacted a couple of American and international Zen organizations who disavowed any knowedge of Enio Soto Roshi (one such org was aggrieved that anyone called themselves Roshi without proper connections) or Ted Hanulak.

If the man has something to teach, I say teach it and let it stand or fall on its own merits.

Creating histories to make it sexier or more mysterious is specious and unethical, at best, and criminal, at worst. If I create a false company, and then sell services from that company, money is exchanged, etc ... is that not fraud?

Yet, in the budo community, we all too often sit back and let that very thing occur, time and time again.

Personally, I find the bloody belt thing a bit morbid and unsettling. Hard training is one thing, what apears to be blatant disregard for health, welfare and safety is another entirely.

That just reinforces my discomfort with Hanulak's organization, his background and character. He may well be an amazing fighter, but the framework he's created in which to teach what he knows is off-putting and makes it hard to take anything he would have to say seriously.

Take care, do your research, move on and get yourself into a good dojo.

Speaking of which ...

Andy,

Hope all's well with you and yours, hated missing you when we were in Indy in November. Next time, we'll swing sticks together, hopefully!

Chuck

(edited for spelling -- haven't had nearly enough coffee in cold Bavaria this morning)

[T. Hanulak]

I've decided that this one time I'm going to respond to this thread. I haven't in the past because it's silly to defend myself against people that judge me solely off of a website. This time is the final exception. The situation with my ex-student has been taken care of. I've personally corresponded with Nathan Scott, which I have also done in the past, and he and I have an understanding about the nature of "ex-students" and what they are capable of.

What I take offense to even more than an ex-student's sour grape ramblings is from this Chuck Gordon person who apparently fashions himself the "Official researcher for all that is Zen" You have the nerve to question my "Character"? Who do you think you are? I have been in Indianapolis for over 5 years, where you have lived that whole time up until you move to Germany or where ever you are. I teach 7 days a week, 2 hour classes and I have never met you. Perhaps you have sent "spies" to our dojo but we only look at them as "potential students". I have sent you e-mails that you NEVER respond to. But then you have the audacity to post public posts about my dojo and my character. You have spoken to ex-students of mine? Big deal. I have spoken to ex-students of yours and I couldn't of cared less.(trust me, their comments didn't flatter your so-called "club") You warn them to stay away from me? What are you nuts? this borders on slander. As far as Enio Sotou goes, he was just a man teaching Zen out of his home. Why isn't he listed in whatever YOU "checked out", I don't know and I don't care.

I studied Senso-Ryu Aikijutsu from a man named Richard Behrens. I am now teaching what I learned. It is a very effective martial art of self defense. It is a modern form, not a koryu system. Is it different than other forms?, of course. Behrens was calling it Aikijutsu 20 years ago and beyond. We did not jump on the "Aikijutsu" band wagon that happened with the advent of the internet. Is what I teach true "Aikijutsu", well I'm not sure what that is but if Daito-Ryu is the only example, then I guess we are not, that’s why I describe it as Jujutsu with aiki principles.

If anyone would like to ask us a question or make statement, please feel free to e-mail us at aikijutsu@comcast.net. If you only do it on this public board, you don't really want to know anything about us, you just want to gossip. I will not respond to any more posts. I wish you all luck in your perspective martial arts. If any of you find yourself in Indianapolis, please stop by our dojo. We are not exactly hiding.

Nathan Scott is the only person who had the common decency to call me once. That I respect.

Ted Hanulak
Senso-Ryu Aikijutsu

[A.J. Bryant]

Just to clarify,

Chuck can speak for himself but I will say that he's been teaching in Indianapolis (Ft. Harrison) for a long time.

Besides being a fine person, He's an excellent budoka who's orchestrated many seminars here in the city, ranging from top ranked koryu instructors to national Aikido seminars. He's also not afraid to travel the globe to train with the very best (Meik & Diane Skoss, Karl Friday, etc.).

Regards,

[Chuck.Gordon]

First, thanks for the kind words Andy.

As for me, I taught in Indy from 1988 through 2002, always running a small operation, not much in the public eye. My students and former students, however, are all as near to family as they can be.

I trained with, and welcomed onto my mat, anyone who was friendly and respectful and interested in an honest interaction and good budo training. To my good fortune, that list of folks includes many of the Indianapolis budo community, and more from the Midwest, ultimately it also includes folks from all over North America and Europe.

Second, let me welcome Ted to the boards. You and Senso Ryu have been the topic of conversation here from time to time and I think it takes a lot of guts for you to stand up here and deal with the comments.

That said, I find your tone in this note very different from the personal note you sent me (which I answered this morning, by the way, apologies for not getting it answered sooner, but I am recovering from a minor surgical procedure and hadn't spent much time online the past several days).

As for you having sent me notes in the past, I answered anything you sent me. Check your records or check with the students who were managing your e-mail and site.

I'm sure there may be some of my former students who didn't like what we were doing, but I suspect they're few and far between. If I ran into folks with whom there was no 'sympatico' or for whom I felt my system had little to offer, I readily referred them elsewhere. No one trained in my dojo who didn't want to. I also kept pretty good records of who I taught over the years. If you'd like, send me the names of folks you talked to and I can verify whether they actually were my students at any time.

I never taught very many folks, for one, and for another, as I said, my dojo has always been an extended family and there are very few people who have trained with me who didn't stay the course, barring job changes, school or moves. I keep in touch with many of those folks today, and in fact, have a whole slew of 'dojo grandkids' ...

And no, I'm no official researcher for all that is Zen, and I don't actually care much for, much less practice Zen myself. However, Zen (as opposed to zen, a more generic term) is a specific religious practice that is overseen by a specific hairarchy of lay and ordained ministry and authority. If someone claims to be teaching Zen, there ought to be a connection to and paper trail for their authority to do so.

The Japanese are really, really big on documentation and keep records fanatically ...

As I said before, what you're teaching (combatives and meditation) might be great, I don't know and I have been very specific that I cannot comment on that, not having seen you personally. And quite frankly, I don't care. If you're happy with it and your students are gaining something positive from it, then that's a Good Thing.

However, it's the format in which your system has been presented (on the web and in personal interaction with folks I've spoken with) that makes folks who have done their research and know something about the Japanese martial arts (and Zen) raise an eyebrow.

I stand by my comment: Teach what you teach and let it stand on its own merits. If it's good, and your students are the better for the learning, then it will stand on its own. It's not necessary to foster a false or even a questionable mythology to glamorize or justify it.

And, in fact, I did try to call your number a few times while I was still in Indy and doing research for my students as I was preparing to leave. Never got through to you, unfortunately. Now, I shan't call you due to the cost of international phone time ...

Take good care.

Chuck

[daesim]

I was reading through a few martial arts forums the other day just for the heck of it, and I had decided to google my old instructor Ted Hanulak who teaches Senso Ryu Aiki-jutsu. It popped up these forums and as I read through them, I was really surprised by the hostility that was apparent in the postings directed against Mr. Hanulak and his school. I had no idea that aiki oriented arts could be so competitive and conflicting. What exactly has he done to engender such anger? He posts very little on sites such as these, and tends to make constructive comments. He's a private, personal man, and because he simply doesn't make a habit of sharing every aspect of his art with the public, does that somehow make him a fraud? His training is very traditional, and he only shares history of his ryu with people who have trained seriously for a number of years. You take a look at his website and accuse him of posturing, but all I see is a website. It's not an advertisement, it's simple information for people who want to learn a little something about his art. It's cake, it's general, it's no different from a simple phone listing that lets people know "yes there is an aiki-jutsu dojo in Indianapolis, here's where it is, here's what I teach." If you want serious information about his style, go ask him in person. Is the man supposed to drop everything he's doing at the last minute and go have a serious debate on the internet? Yeah I suppose being a south Florida policeman was nothing compared to having to handle a REAL threat from those dojo-busting internet Renmei! I trained at Mr. Hanulak's ( I call him "Mr. Hanulak" because it's easier to type then "Hanulak-Sensei") School for a year, and I have very real, very intense memories of it. It was very serious, very hardcore, but he'd always take the time to sit with us when we were done, joke around with us after training. He doesn't do this for money, his family does very well for itself. He does this because he wants to do it, to share something that forged him into a better person, and to give other people the opportunity to do the same for themselves. But at the same time, it's not like he's doing "Teddy Hanulaks Aiki-jutsu USA!" What is with people in this country? If someone goes around screaming for attention with a twelve foot long 7 inch wide black belt around his waist, we pay attention, but when someone quietly offers competent instruction with little publicity or advertising, we can't wait to debunk him and put him in his place. Judge the man by the way he lives his life (if you feel you have the right to judge him at all.) He has a fine family, a dedicated cadre of students who included during my time of training a State highway trooper, a bartender, and an active service Marine who later transfered to Afganistan. These are pretty tough fellows who know crap when they see it. They all trained respectfully under Mr. Hanulak, because they knew they were learning something worthwhile. So I ask, is it really nessasary to try to tear someone down who does good to his community? Why not level any angry criticisms at the real frauds who put their students life in danger with faulty profit driven teachings that help no one except themselves? The next time you see someone advertising "AKI-JITSU" ask yourself if you feel justified comparing a guy like that to Mr. Hanulak.

[cxt]

Unless I err, which is always possible--even probable at times.

The thread you refer to started in 2001--did not get much response till 2002--then died until 2004 when it got some posts--and has had no activity at all since March 2004.

But I just took a quick look--could have missed something.

Your teacher Mr. Hanulak also posted his views and opinions on the thread as well.

So its seems to me you logged on to re-open a topic loooonnnnggg since over and one that had the direct input and particiaption of Mr. Hanulak himself.

Seems kinda odd to me.

Always speaks well of a person willing to step up and defend his teacher--but as a suggestion you might try a bit more relaxed tone with the folks here.

After all Hanulak himself, personally, already took part in the discussion in question


Chris Thomas

[daesim]

[Part 2 ] In January of this year, a month after I began part-time employment at a place called "new Flix video" a sleazy little place on Laffeyette road in Indy I was robbed at gun point. The person doing this was a small nervous looking person, quite clearly out of his mind on something. I have some experience with people who were addicted to crystal meth and this guy fit the bill. Dirty clothing, wide red eyes, quick slurred speaking, very excited, very nervous. I was only working at this degrading little video store to make some quick money to cover my previous holiday spending, and along comes this meth freak with a huge gun to threaten my life over fifty dollars in the register. Happy new Year!

I stayed calm. One thing that Hanulak-Sensei has stressed over and over again is to stay in the moment, center yourself with deep breathing. He has said that fight or flight syndrome will affect everyone in a life-threatening situation, and what's important is that you don't let your urge to panic ( What he refers to as a monkey mind) take over. I stayed in the moment, I stayed calm. Unfortunately the robber didn't. I had already opened the register, I was standing back from him with my hands up, I wanted him to take the money and leave. Unfortunately for me, we weren't both on the same planet here. He was extremely paranoid, very quick to anger, and he would NOT leave. It became very obvious that this person was going to shoot me, and was working his way up to it, and that I was probably going to die if I didn't act. So I did. I cut directly to his left, and slammed my left shoulder as hard as I could into his center. I'm of considerable weight, so fair to say I sent him flying. As he fell back however, his gun went off and I was shot in my upper right thigh. I went crashing to the floor, expecting that to be it, but I was glad I put up a fight and grateful for my zen training. I wasn't afraid and I was glad. Lucky for me, the robber had had enough and took off screaming like a banshee. Pure luck and nothing else, because if he had stayed calm and centered, he could have finished me off quite easily, gotten the money, and gotten away. Anyway, I dragged myself over to the cordless phone called 911, and then used my belt as a tournequet for my right leg. I stayed calm, and I didn't think about what I was doing I just did it. I also called my store manager John Tommasi, and let him know that I had been shot and wounded and that I was going to the hospital. John in turn, thought I was playing a stupid prank until an officer arrived to inform him of what was happening. I was taken from the store directly to Wishard hospital where I recieved treatment. My name is Darrell Simmonds, and this is a matter of public record with the Indianapolis police department.

I have not trained at the Senso-ryu in four years, and I likewise have had no contact with Mr. Hanulak, but I have no reason to lie about my experience either. I credit Ted Hanulak fully with providing me with the training that saved my life. To me his Ryu and his Zen are as authentic as it will ever get. They passed a trial of fire so to speak. I now know that thanks to this man and his art, when the chips are down I can be relied upon to act, in defense of myself, or in defense of others and with that comes a feeling of appreciation and gratitude that I cannot express in words. Mr Hanulak has helped me to know myself, and what better honour can a Teacher ever give to a student?

Thank you for reading this. If I sounded disrespectful at all during my previous posting, please believe that it was not with the intent to antagonize or mock. Have a good day.

Darrell Simmonds.

[Nathan Scott]

I've merged the last three posts with an existing thread on the subject to facilitate future searches.

As far as surviving an attack, teachers are always happy to learn that their instruction and time has proved useful. I'd also say that there are many skilled and good teachers out there teaching a wide variety of arts, from classical arts to modern hybrid arts, to arts with questionable claims. The teacher's ability is not what the subject of this thread or discussion is about, FWIW.

Speaking in general about a pet peeve (of mine at least), people in general always seem to bring up the fact at some point that a given teacher has taught special forces, CIA, police, etc. I've got to tell you, from my experience, this doesn't mean squat. Many times that just means someone joined the dojo or took a seminar, and other times it's just BS to sound more impressive. But even when it is true, goverment agencies are not known for carefully selecting the most practical and well thought out arts or teachers to teach them. If you are good at selling yourself, and have a connection, you can teach government agencies. Or, just say you did.

My experience has also been that professionals (LEO, Military, etc.) tend to not to train much and don't usually make the most serious students. In the dojo, they tend to be aggressive at "dishing it out", but are not nearly as enthusiastic to "recieve". They also expect to get discounts, special treatment, and are absent from training often. Yeah, I realize that this broad generalization does not include ALL those LEO/Military budo-ka out there, and I've also encountered many who were serious students and good technicians. But in general, the above has been my observation. In other words, new students to martial arts might believe that anyone who has or is teaching LEO/military has got it all going on, but I suspect that most who have been involved for a while find such information, as they say, "mildly interesting". No disrespect intended towards anyone, just felt like it was time to call this subject for what it is!

Before anyone gets upset, don't get me wrong. I have the utmost respect for LEO and military, etc. Yes, I've taught them too, and continue to do so (quiet guys...), so don't misunderstand the above to mean that I'm against them or against teaching them. Hell, if anyone really needs the training, or has a "right" to the training, it's them. I'm just pointing out that, IMHO, including this point in your resume like it is a credential or trophy is a bit pointless to those in the peer group.

Anyway, with regards to this thread Mr. Simmonds, I appreciate your posts and your passion to defend your ex-instructor. All opinions are welcome here. I'm sorry you don't understand why such discussions take place on forums such as these, but the reasons have already been stated previously so there is no use in bringing it up again.

Regards,

[daesim]

Mr. Scott, I understand why the previous postings took place, I was simply annoyed to discover that the general postings were almost overwhelmingly negative in regards to Mr. Hanulaks school. If I were a newcomer to martial arts training and decided to google Mr. Hanulaks name before I called to set up an appointment, I'd most likely come to this forum, and in reading the opinions of this forum I'd likely believe that Mr. Hanulak was some hack Steven Seagle/wannabe teaching a junk art. It seemed fair to me to write something positive about the man because what he taught me really helped me out, and I have a few good memories about my training at his dojo. It's not so much that I'm impassioned about defending the man, as that I'm interested in telling people the simple truth. His zen training works. His martial arts training works. If I know for a fact that something works, I tell people about it. He's the real deal sir. If you observe him, you'll see for yourselves. I know I'm not going to get the last word in on this though, but I thought I'd try .

Have a good day.