Seagal Shihan’s interest in the martial arts started at a young age after watching an Aikido demonstration at a baseball game.
He first studied Karate as a young boy under Japanese Master Fumio Demura and gained the black belt. He was interested in other Arts like Aikido, Kenjutsu, Judo, Kali and Kendo. When he decided to proceed in Aikido he became a student of Harry Ishisaka Sensei. He received his 1st Dan degree in 1974 in Orange County-California from Koichi Tohei Shihan.
This interest in Aikido took him to Osaka Japan in 1974. There, he also entered the Tokyo dojo of Grand Master (O’Sensei) Morehei Ueshiba who founded and introduced Aikido to the world. That was not enough for Seagal Sensei. He wanted more, so he also studied Zen and Buddhism, bone manipulation, acupuncture, calligraphy and herbalogy. Seagal Shihan became an expert on Eastern Philosophy. He lived like the native Japanese and learned to read and write calligraphy from Seiseki Abe Sensei (10th Dan). Seagal Shihan has said ”I was very blessed by finding the right teachers”.
After many years of intense training and being the only American Chief Instructor in Japan and the Chief Instructor of Tenshin Dojo, Juso Osaka Japan, he eventually returned to America and started a Martial Arts School that opened in 1982 “Ten Shin Dojo” (Tenshin Bugei Gakuen)
He entered the movie business in 1987. Mike Ovitz who was the manager of many film stars, was one of Seagal Sensei’s students. Ovitz convinced Seagal Sensei to take a screen test, which was very successful. Seagal Shihan entered the movie world with his first film “Above the Law”.
The biggest thing that people all over the world do not understand, is that Seagal Shihan is the real deal with his aikido and everything that he does. He is by far the greatest Martial artist in the World. Whether on the street or in the dojo(training facility) he is the “Best of the Best.” Steven Seagal Shihan on a global scale has made Aikido extremely popular, and raised the bar.
Steven Seagal Shihan currently has active Aikido students. In June of 2008 Seagal Shihan brought them all together for Aikido training. Steven Seagal Shihan announced the following individuals as his students under his direction, and the remainder of participants were their students. The following individuals that were present and acknowledged by Steven Seagal Shihan as his direct students, and allowed to teach Aikido under his direction which are indicated below.
Craig Dunn-Taos New Mexico- Tenshin Kihon Dojo
Kentaro Seagal- Los Angeles California-4th Dan Aikikai
Billy Brooks-Memphis Tennessee-Memphis Tenshin Setsuzoku Aikido dojo- 3rd Dan Aikikai
Salvatore Forestieri-Hanover Park Illinois-Tenshin Shinjitsu Dojo of Chicago -3rd Dan Aikikai
Elliot Freeman- St. Louis Misssouri- Three Rivers Aikido
If you are interested in learning Steven Seagal Shihans’ methodology and hosting a seminar, please contact Salvatore Forestieri Sensei.
Due to Seagal Shihans request not to post pictures of our training sessions for privacy reasons, some of us have respected his wishes. These are private, invitation only training sessions that take place at Seagal Shihans home. This is why you will not see these types of pictures on this website. You may see them elsewhere and does not indicate any exclusive rights by these individuals that posted these pics.
You may also see some websites displaying incorrect information regarding Seagal Shihans current students, and rank. This information is outdated and inaccurate, and should be disregarded.
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