Tenshin Aikido: The Aikido of Master Steven Seagal
Aikido has many expressions, ranging from slow-deliberate movements (think Tai Chi) to almost-acrobatic techniques. All these expressions derive from two main sources: the Aikido organization itself, and each instructor's interpretation.
What has always distinguished Tenshin (Tenjin) Aikido - and in particular, Master Seagal's school of Aikido - is its incredible realism. Master Seagal's school is notably the only school that can deal with multiple attackers using Aikido's minimalist technique. Where other Aikido schools view Aikido as a metaphor for life, Tenshin dojos put that metaphor into action. The only official Tenshin Aikido dojo in the midwest is Three Rivers Aikido.
Three Rivers Aikido Dojo
Three Rivers (in Japanese, "San Kawa") Dojo is a first generation dojo under the direction of Master Steven Seagal. Three Rivers Aikido has been serving Saint Louis residents of all ages - 6 years old, to our oldest member at 73 - for more than a quarter of a century. Martial arts dojos often boast only one instructor, but one of the greatest strengths of TRA is its diversity of instructors. It is traditional for Three Rivers Aikido black belts, to pass on the instruction they have received. These instructors have their own martial arts backgrounds, and therefore their own unique interpretations of Sensei Freeman's Aikido.
Sensei Elliot Freeman
Sensei Freeman (6th degree black belt) is one of Master Seagal's principal students and direct representatives - leading seminars around the world for fellow Aikidoka, military /security personnal, and law enforcement. He has been doing Aikido for more than 40 years, and is the founder/ CEO of Three Rivers Aikido. He holds a 6th degree black belt in Aikido, 4th degree black belt in Mu Duk Kwon (TKD), a 6th degree black belt in Shorin-Ryu Karate, a 2nd degree black belt in Kendo, a 2nd degree black belt in Iaido, and is the Master Instructor of Defensive Tactic Technologies, a P.O.S.T. certified law enforcement program.
