History :

AAUK — AIKIDO ALIVE U.K.

Traditional Iwama Takemusu Aikido (TITA) in the U.K. since 2002.

Aikido is a living relationship, traditional yet modern, that meet the needs of our body and mind, soul and spirit. In an integral and evolutionary context, we blend the art of Aikido with internal Yoga, Meditation and spiritual Self-Inquiry, with a directed and open dialogue. A non-violent and non-competitive Japanese martial art, Aikido points to a non-dual relationship where conflict ceases and creativity comes alive. 

As a spiritual discipline, Aikido serves to awaken a larger sense of Self, incorporating all facets of our human experience into one uniform perspective. Self-knowledge and expanded awareness, together with a curious heart, brings about a shared understanding with a shared aim, purpose and goal. Aikido Alive U.K. motivates each student to progress in their own pace towards greater freedom and deeper understanding. 

Aikido Alive's head teacher Bjorn Saw Sensei, 5 dan Aikikai, have one of the longest experience of Traditional Iwama Takemusu Aikido in the U.K. having begun his Aikido training in 1974 for Saito Sensei's then representative in Europe, Takeji Tomita Shihan (7 dan) at Takemusu Aikido Scandinavia in Stockholm, Sweden. Bjorn Sensei then spent two and half years training under the late Morihiro Saito Shihan (9 dan) in Iwama, Japan, between 1987 and 1993.

Aikido Alive U.K. (London) (founded in September 2002), and Aikido Wells (2017), with links and affiliation to the British Aikido Board (BAB) and to the Aikikai Hombu Dojo, the world headquarters of Aikido in Tokyo, Japan.

Style :

Traditional Iwama Takemusu Aikido as taught by the late Morihiro Saito Shihan. 

49 Years of Aikido, 1974-2023.

Bjorn Sensei, dojocho of Aikido Alive UK, (born 1963) 5 dan Aikikai, began training Traditional Iwama Takemusu Aikido in Sweden for Takeji Tomita Shihan, 7 dan, in 1974. After receiving his Shodan black belt (1989) Bjorn taught as an assistant instructor in Aikido Dojo Stockholm.

He traveled to Japan to further his training under Morihiro Saito Shihan in Iwama and lived as uchi-deshi (live-in apprentice) in O Sensei’s Aikishurendojo and as soto-deshi for a period of two and a half years between 1987 and 1993. While in Japan Bjorn Sensei also practiced Kashima Shinryu sword under Minoru Inaba Sensei in the Shiseikandojo at the Meiji Jingu shrine in Tokyo. He received his Nidan (1993) from Saito Sensei in Iwama and subsequently opened his first Aikido school in Värmdö, Sweden. 

Bjorn was a student of American spiritual teacher Andrew Cohen from 1991 to 2003. With much experience of meditation and spiritual contemplation Bjorn highlights the importance of the spiritual aspects of the art. His spiritual interest being a major influence on his Aikido teaching.

In September 2002 he founded Aikido Alive U.K. where he teach his own development of Takemusu Aikido with a clear emphasis on incorporating spiritual understanding to the practice. Based on a correct understanding of kihon (basics) yet with intent and freedom to explore the living and dynamic relationship that Aikido is. 

Since Saito Senseis passing away in 2002, Ulf Evenås Shihan (Sweden) has awarded 3rd dan (2005), 4th dan (2009) and 5th dan January 2014 to Bjorn Sensei.

Since 2017 Bjorn has trained with Dan Harden Sensei (USA) and studied the internally connected Aiki-body of Daito-Ryu (forerunner of Aikido) that has informed and added a whole new dimension to his Tai-jutsu and Bukiwaza (the empty-handed Aikido and its weapon techniques).