The Secrets Steven Seagal knew about making Aikido work but hid from everyone

[Aikidoflow]

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[pehunter]

I have been involved in martial arts for decades and I'm wondering why people have to get on the internet and argue back and forth, "My style is better than your style..." Has anyone ever considered this: Nothing works all of the time and there are flaws in every style. Aikido may not work for one person, but may work for another who has the sense to make modifications as needed. It's not intended for certain situations. But neither is Brazilian Jujitsu. Who in their right mind wants to be on the ground in a real fight on the street? And Wing Chun has its shortcomings also just like Taekwondo, Karate, Muay Tae, boxing, capoeira, etc.

[benushaft]

There is a technique at the beginning of the movie "Above The Law, " where he actually teaches a technique. The technique that he teaches is effective against kicks (as taught in the movie), punches and weapons. It is very effective and very useful.
That being said:
I know that a lot of people that Steven Seagal is just a good fight ACTOR and that is because most of the people watched his MOVIE "Above The Law" and took it as a story based on truth and a lot of videos that are made are done to cast doubt his life based on that. From that they try to cast doubt on his Martial Arts ability and they base the supposed outcome solely on the art of Aikido, however, as most long time Martial Arts practitioners can tell you, what you are initially taught in the core art when you began is totally different from what you have learned over the years from other Martial Arts and what you will teach in the future. His fighting style incorporates the techniques from many other Martial Arts styles as all styles should, to remain relevant and effective.

[jrx]

Yep mix between Aïkido and Wing Chun is great ! Love it !

[decoy]

When I started training 45 yrs ago. You learned one system. Yet these days students will train multiple systems and have instructor that blend a few arts. Each having their own weakness and strengths. Having the ability to flow, to adapt to what is being presented was the essences of Bruce Lee, " be like water". The key parts of this is learn a system. Give yourself a foundation, whether its Judo, Karate, Jutsu, Wing Chung. Get good at that then add other components that work for you. Just keep training!

[davewalker]

I think this is only video I ever heard mentioned breathing . Great point

[observerfx]

This video is just brilliant! Thanks for breaking down some of his techniques. You are right that Segal Sensei incorporates various arts. His Aikido alone, though, is still so well-defined; his abbreviated style is so hard to duplicate without strongarming Uke. You can tell he practiced on some serious uchideshi badasses who could take a fall, and that helps!

You guys do a great job at keeping it real. Segal is one of the premier screen fighters who successfully blends different arts into his own style. Another screen fighter I admire is Adrian Paul, who is more of a purist at whatever art he happens to be using at the time (but that's the Highlander character). Not sure about his street cred, but his forms are fantastic. (I tend to think he can back it up with real power, I mean just look at the guy).

Keep up the great work, guys! Aikido forever!

[michaeltruthson]

Finally someone else who understands what Steven Seagal was doing. When you go back and watch Bruce Lee he was using Aikido techniques. Thank you for your break down.

[vasileios]

Very good analysis of our beloved legend.
Seagal showed practical and vicious street fighting on his movies (at least on the first popular ones).
One more detail ofcourse is that he is also a karate expert (Shito Ryu I think).

[jamishep]

I had the good fortune many years ago to watch a couple of Seagal's early films with a 50yr old 8th Dan Judoka. Bill said his technique was excellent and he had obviously spent many years training. There was no fraud in his skill as an Aikidoka.

[bryanst.martin]

His skills are eclectic. Combining the forms of many martial arts styles. By assuming certain forms of known martial arts stances, one can mislead an opponent to think they are up against a certain style limitation with certain effective counter moves. But when that counter move is committed, he can react, knowing what the strike will be and then position himself to prosecute the known position and resulting weakness. Key factor in any of this is honing your skills and practicing them endlessly.

[imlinorama]

The fight at the bar in Out for justice with sticks was done with Dan Inosanto and Steven actually trained with Dan and the guys from the Inosanto Academy, along with late Brandon Lee . These guys knew each other very well 👍 Martial artists know each other, especially in the States, cause they are all connected and train with each other, mixing styles and all that 👍 which is good . Nice video 👍💪👊☯️

[davidnomad]

Love your channel. I just started my first aikido lesson.

[mrdenpes]

to avoid a fight, I always pretend having a heart attack and act like I'm dying. Always works.

[SIRINI]

Another interesting video from Aikido Flow !! Thank you for this ! Greetings from Athens Greece !

[lunalion]

I had my first Aikido on Saturday (in France) I still hesitate to start 😎

[Eyes-of-Horus]

Beautiful! I studied under Grandmaster Ark Y. Wong in Los Angeles. All of what you said here is what I got from him. This is what I try to impart to any of the students that I had but it is kind of difficult to break their bad habits. One thing you're doing with all of your videos is showing that the fancy stuff doesn't really work on the street. Sifu Wong constantly reiterated this idea. Keep it simple and use your whole body. You're only limited by your mind. As Sifu Wong said over and over, "Kung Fu very smart" as he pointed to his head. You have to think of possibilities all the time. As the old axiom goes, "There's more than one way to skin a cat." (Sorry cat lovers.)


One thing your video got me with is not getting into any kind of defense position. Sifu Wong would stand there with his arms at his sides just ready. As soon as the opponent made a move the hands went up and defended. He was amazing at what he could do. I knew him throughout his 70s until he died in 1986.

[SensesPhil]

I think one to remember when being confronted, especially in my experience, is always let the attacker come to you.

[samsonvladislav]

Good to know, thanks for sharing. I had the same thought, that Steven Seagal uses other martial arts mixed in with Aikido. Thanks for confirming my hypothesis. 😎

[georgekondylis]

I love all his early films. Having been a lifelong ma and boxing practitioner and instructor, I must say that none of what you demonstrated is practical for self defense against even a low level boxer or wrestler. The practical skills of aikido are mainly in tumbling and learning to fall properly.