Sensei Steven Seagal's ?

Fat martial artist/actor? Two words....Sammo Hung.

http://www.aitenshin.com/images/e_precious_time.html

The Gene Lebell story is legendary and has not been denied by Seagal to the best of my knowledge. The fact that he was abusing members of the crew is a testament to his arrogance and clearly shows how he does not embody the spirit or ideal of Aikido in any way. He deserved to get choked out and relieve himself in his pants in front of everybody on the set.

Then for his defenders to come on here any say that criticising him is un-aiki like is astounding. Seagal should be considered an embarassment to Aikido.

Christopher Li wrote: OK, so why is it that Seagal's weight almost always comes up, but other instructors with substantial bellys never get mentioned? I can think of any number of senior Japanese instructors who are way beyond Seagal in the belly category, but weight is never mentioned when they are discussed. Best, Chris

I am sure that I beat Seagal Sensei in this category... It's my way of lulling my enemies into a false feeling of security. Seriously, if I were to go to combat, my weight would certainly be a problem. It doesn't interfere with my ability to teach what I know. If folks stay away because I am overweight, well, that's their loss. There are all sorts of things folks have against Seagal Sensei which rate alot higher on the serious scale than his weight, I think.
- George

I advise we ignore certain posts as we would certain people on the streat....

Avoiding the 'discussion' and not 'winning the argument' is the victory.

C
aka James Taylor

The weak and powerless Michael Neal wrote: The Gene Lebell story is legendary and has not been denied by Seagal to the best of my knowledge. The fact that he was abusing members of the crew is a testament to his arrogance and clearly shows how he does not embody the spirit or ideal of Aikido in any way. He deserved to get choked out and relieve himself in his pants in front of everybody on the set. Then for his defenders to come on here any say that criticising him is un-aiki like is astounding. Seagal should be considered an embarassment to Aikido.

Ah, yes... another blubbering post by Mr. Ding Dong...

Once again we have that "special" someone who gets to come along and spout his nonsense You say, "to the best of my knowledge..." - which if we go by only what you wrote shows you only know what you read somewhere or heard third-hand. If we add in what you meant, then you prove yourself as childish as your petty comments. Since the real truth is that you weren't there, "the best of your knowledge.." really doesn't amount to much, does it?

You talk about somebody being arrogant and not the embodiment of Aikido...? Who do you think you are? Well, I will tell you in case the mirror in your bathroom isn't working, "You, sir are truly an a$$."



.

Shaun Ravens wrote: Ah, yes... another blubbering post by Mr. Ding Dong... Once again we have that "special" someone who gets to come along and spout his nonsense You say, "to the best of my knowledge..." - which if we go by only what you wrote shows you only know what you read somewhere or heard third-hand. If we add in what you meant, then you prove yourself as childish as your petty comments. Since the real truth is that you weren't there, "the best of your knowledge.." really doesn't amount to much, does it? You talk about somebody being arrogant and not the embodiment of Aikido...? Who do you think you are? Well, I will tell you in case the mirror in your bathroom isn't working, "You, sir are truly an a$$." .

Don't hold back; tell us how you really feel.

Now thar you go. Don't you see this is exactly why some of us don't become movie stares with hoards of blond hair blue eyed groupies and multi millionaires with mansions on every continent and sports cars and great food with fine wines. Why just the other day someone said Dennis don't you want to become famous and rich and I said NOooo. Then folks is gonna talk bout me. Theys gonna talk bout how I's overweight and loosen my haar and can't spell or talk right. No surreebob you couldn't give me all that money and fame cause folks is gonna talk. I bet old Steve just stays up nights worrying bout whats said here. Sakes alive he's probably wasting away to noth'n not eating nur drink'n because of frett'n over what is said bout him. Sides I got some skeletons in my closet I don't want drug out. I know I'm probably the onlyest one here that ever said something stupid or did something stupid or am vastly ashamed of some things in my life. I think me an old Steve is probably the only two Aikido folks what ever did some really stupid stuff and I ain't going public with mine. So I will just stay poor and relative obscure and maybe folks woun't talk bout me none to much.

James Davis, Jr. wrote: Don't hold back; tell us how you really feel.

Us? How many people did it take to write your post, James?



.

Shaun Ravens wrote: Us? How many people did it take to write your post, James? .

Well I consulted with several of the better looking ones like me and that was the general consensus.

Shaun Ravens wrote: Us? How many people did it take to write your post, James? .

Just one, but it's already been read by us.

John Piquet wrote: (sigh) why can't we just all get along? Some comments aren't even worth responding to, as for the others... Steven Seagal was already above Dan level when he became head of the Dojo (owned by his wife's father) he was quickly promoted to 5th Dan in consideration for him running the Dojo, he is now 7th Dan promoted by Seiseki Abe, I believe, one of O'Sensei's Uchi Deshi, through Hombu Dojo--Aikikai. From his website: http://www.stevenseagal.com/aikido.html His Aikido skills are on the level as any 7th Dan. And yes... he is getting kinda fat... eh, whatcha gonna do? He can always be a "happy buddha". Seagal has perhaps the best Irimi Aikido. It shows extreme lack of Aikido knowledge to criticize his technique without any substantive or valid points. I have yet to hear a single time that someone had so much venom towards Mr. Seagal that wasn't either a jealous, immature, or lacking in any substantial Aikido techniques. Aikido is a martial art and should be taught as such. It's not f***$&! dance class. Uses his size? I would hope so.... but I would watch his technique... ask him yourself, he's had many a smaller Sensei dump him on his butt. I wouldn't use his 'celebrity' persona of any indication of how he is in person. I think someone needs to practice their ukemi more... perhaps they've fallen too hard.

Hi everybody.I totaly agree,some comments aren't even worth responding to.Steven Seagal sensei has proven his aikido skils through his seminars and his teachings,any mention to his personal life (positive or negative) is irrelevant to this forum and anyway i believe that any claim should come with a proof.It's very easy to target a person whose daily job puts him constantly in the spotlight but we should never forget that Seagal sensei is an Aikido master and he should be treated with respect and not with envy.Therefore, i find your words to be right to the point!If i'm not mistaken Seagal sensei has been promoted to 8th Dan but he hasn't taken the certificate yet.In an interview his comment on this matter was:"We'll see about that".As for the Aikido part of his movies, he is showing the real fighting application of a true martial art,that's all!Sorry if my spelling is a little rusty...

Criticizing his aikido is useless, acting well maybe. 8th dan? I think the aikikai bylaws if I recall correctly requires you to be 65 to be promoted to 8th dan. Although, I'm sure exceptions can be made. I do recall reading that somewhere-not sure where. He's a year younger than I am (I'm 62) so if I'm correct-he's not eligible yet. Abe sensei probably had enough pull to make that happen. I'd be surprised if he was though since he does not do much with aikido anymore-just a few dojos and rarely do I seen any seminars or demos.

John Riggs wrote: I think the aikikai bylaws if I recall correctly requires you to be 65 to be promoted to 8th dan.

Is he a member of the Aikikai??

-

Tim Jester wrote: Is he a member of the Aikikai?? -

I believe the dojo in Osaka is affiliated with the aikikai, but beyond that it's hard to say. If I'm not mistaken Seagal's rank (to some degree) was given when he married into that family.

Minimum age for Aikikai 4th dan is 22 years old. I'm sure somewhere on here someone posted the following (but I couldn't find it again)

Godan - minimum 5 years since 4th dan
Rokudan - minimum 6 years since 5th dan
Nanadan - minimum 12 years since 6th dan
Hachidan - minimum 15 years since 7th dan

If this is correct then the minimum age would be 60 years old.

Yannis Mousoulis wrote: Hi everybody.I totaly agree,some comments aren't even worth responding to.Steven Seagal sensei has proven his aikido skils through his seminars and his teachings,any mention to his personal life (positive or negative) is irrelevant to this forum and anyway i believe that any claim should come with a proof.It's very easy to target a person whose daily job puts him constantly in the spotlight but we should never forget that Seagal sensei is an Aikido master and he should be treated with respect and not with envy.Therefore, i find your words to be right to the point!If i'm not mistaken Seagal sensei has been promoted to 8th Dan but he hasn't taken the certificate yet.In an interview his comment on this matter was:"We'll see about that".As for the Aikido part of his movies, he is showing the real fighting application of a true martial art,that's all!Sorry if my spelling is a little rusty...

Yannis

Never mind the spelling - good post - I like Seagals Aikido my thoughts on him as a person are irrelevant.

Henry Ellis
British Aikido
http://britishaikido.blogspot.com/

Philip Purcell wrote: I once met a guy who claimed to be a master - he was not ... he just ate all the pies!

Dear Philip,
Would this guys name be Steven Seagal?Cheers, Joe.
Ps I like a few dozen steak and kidney pies myself.My ever expanding waistline is proof of my arduous training regime..I await with bated breath a Menkyo Kaiden certificate in noble art of Pie eating.

Looking at his Aikido, his style, his application and his ability then I can only admire it.

It's obvious he's a high Dan ranking ability wise.

Regards.G.

Resurrection! The thread is 5 years old...

Henry Ellis wrote: Yannis Never mind the spelling - good post - I like Seagals Aikido my thoughts on him as a person are irrelevant. Henry Ellis British Aikido http://britishaikido.blogspot.com/

Dear Henry,
Not often we have conflicting views but on this one,sorry I must disagree with your viewpoint.on Mr Seagals Aikido skills.I base my views on what I have seen on the Net.I discount his choreographic fight scenes in his film work.I do however agree with your second point of Mr Seagal as a person. Cheers, Joe.

Henry Ellis wrote: Yannis Never mind the spelling - good post - I like Seagals Aikido my thoughts on him as a person are irrelevant. Henry Ellis British Aikido http://britishaikido.blogspot.com/

Dear Henry Ellis sensei,thank you very much,i'm realy glad you liked my post.My best wishes!

Joe Curran wrote: Dear Henry, Not often we have conflicting views but on this one,sorry I must disagree with your viewpoint.on Mr Seagals Aikido skills.I base my views on what I have seen on the Net.I discount his choreographic fight scenes in his film work.I do however agree with your second point of Mr Seagal as a person. Cheers, Joe.

I would never attribute skill level to someone based on movies that they appeared in either. Conversely, I would not fail to give someone the respect of the rank that they have earned just because someone has not made any movies either. Saotome sensei and Yamada sensei have not made any movies either but no one questions their rank, abilities or titles. I would look at the Path Beyond Thought excerpts on Youtube where Seagal sensei's Aikido is not choreographed but is actual live footage and see what you think.

Jason Rudolph wrote: I would never attribute skill level to someone based on movies that they appeared in either. Conversely, I would not fail to give someone the respect of the rank that they have earned just because someone has not made any movies either. Saotome sensei and Yamada sensei have not made any movies either but no one questions their rank, abilities or titles. I would look at the Path Beyond Thought excerpts on Youtube where Seagal sensei's Aikido is not choreographed but is actual live footage and see what you think.

One might argue that if uke's attack is predictable or instructed, the interaction is choreographed...

Jason Rudolph wrote: Saotome sensei and Yamada sensei have not made any movies either but no one questions their rank, abilities or titles.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089563/

Masterblaster (1987)

Storyline

The national 'Gotcha' championship brings a variety of queer fellows together. A Vietnam veteran always looking for adventure, a female police officer with a trauma, because she once could not shoot in the right moment, a Japanese martial-arts master always looking for the opportunity to train his skills as well as some people who wish nothing more as to get the 50,000 dollars which await the winner. All in all it could be an exciting weekend, when suddenly the game becomes reality as someone is shooting live rounds.

Yoshimitsu Yamada as Yamada the Japanese martial-arts master.

dps