Shintaikido Basics

In 1967, Kaiso Dave Bendigkeit, began his training in the martial art of Aikido with Robert Nadeau Sensei. Nadeau Sensei helped to encourage his interest in the energy and healing aspects of the martial arts. Since then he has earned a 6th Degree Black Belt in Kajukenbo under Grand Master Bob Maschmeier, and a Shodan in Aikido with Patricia Hendricks Sensei. He is the founder (Kaiso, in Japanese) of Shintaikido and of "Ki-Works", an energy based system of centering and massage. He has also trained in knife fighting with Professor Cliff Stewart and Kuk Sa Nim Michael De Alba in addition to Sil Lum Fut Ga with Sifu Andy Ching. He has taught at numerous seminars, including the San Jose Gasshuku and Danzan Ryu Camp in Santa Cruz, Jujitsu America's Convention in Washington D.C., and at various dojos throughout the San Francisco bay area.

Shintaikido is a martial ART. Like other martial arts, Shintaikido places great emphasis on basic techniques and movements. It is important to understand that we view all techniques as being based on the energy of the situation. We believe that without this aspect, all movements are nothing more than pugilism and reflect only evil intent. While we understand that while the results of the defenders actions may be the same, one's own spirit and that of the attacker are both to be taken into consideration during a conflict. Self-defense and hurting someone are easy. (If hurting people is all that you want to learn how to do, please exit this website.) The reason why you perform a technique is of paramount importance. Shintaikido is taught from this philosophical standpoint: If your actions are done from a place of compassion, then the results are going to be good for both parties involved. This aspect of Shintaikido is from Aikido. However, it is only a beginning.

When you train, it is important to take care of your uke. If for no other reason than to insure his return the following practice session. If you hurt people in class, nobody will want to train with you. By training in a caring manner, you will learn how to first control uke without hurting him, then how to make the experience of real "conflict resolution" beneficial to all.

Please don't misunderstand that there are times when you must attack with everything you've got and potentially end a life in order to insure that you or a loved one may survive. Eventually, through training, your assessment of a situation will tell you what to do.

CAUTION
TRAIN AT YOUR OWN RISK!
Use, misuse, or practice of these techniques can cause serious physical injury.
Sensei Dave Bendigkeit, Shintaikido, and Coast Karate Studio I assume no liability.

MEDICAL CAUTION
It is recommended that the viewer consult a physician before beginning this or any exercise program.

SHINTAIKIDO CLASSES

Shintaikido basics incorporate aiki training, punching, kicking, hard and whipping blocks, joint locks, throws, Chi Gung, healing arts and weapons training. Students learn to perform many techniques from a single attack, along with learning how perform a single technique from many attacks. Everything is done left and right side.

A typical Shintaikido class is run as follows:

1. Warm up. This includes stretching, strength exercises (e.g. push ups, half sit ups, etc.) Basic exercises for rooting, whipping strikes, punching and kicking, footwork, and connecting the hands and feet to the center in all movements. Rolls and high falls.

2. Partner Drills. This includes part of the following:
Evasion drills - maai (proper distance), blending, drawing uke out, presenting targets to uke, deciding targets for uke, ducking punches, footwork, setting up position.
Control drills - blocks, whipping and blending, reasons for both (the old "don't box with a boxer" idea), grabbing, taking balance using uke's weak direction.
Atemi drills including how to strike, where to strike, and atemis that are not strikes.
Takedown drills - Jujitsu and Aikido throws.
Groundwork drills - reasons for doing groundwork, Kajukenbo "overkill" groundwork, mixing pins with this.

All of the above are taught by demonstration, then practice with a partner. I go through part of a "board" (see page 4), or got through the requirements for a rank. Classes are also taught by either doing one technique from many attacks, or one attack into many techniques. The whole idea is to give the students a feeling for going with the flow of the attack. Uke must learn to attack properly with the proper intent.

3. Shintaikido's five steps of a complete technique: evasion, control, atemi, takedown, and groundwork. Some portion of each class is devoted to the student working on using their knowledge to create a complete technique based on these five steps.

4. Jiyu waza (free-style) and Randori (multiple attacker) drills using the five steps are done at the end of each class.

5. Weapons training. Some classes are devoted to training in the Bo, Jo, Bokken, and knife.

Throughout each class, the philosophy of caring is mentioned so that students learn with the proper approach. Understanding the obligation of Warriors to show compassion even in their dealings with violence is important. All techniques are taught with mention of the Ki energy flow in addition to the physical aspects. These practices create students who are able to adapt to different situations with great ease. They can defend themselves, they can get out of the way, and they understand the spectrum of martial arts from fun dancing all of the way to serious defense of life.