Company: Bernie Lau Productions
Tape Name: Complete Techniques of Aiki Jujitsu, Volume 1
Tape Cost: 39.95
Length of Tape/Time: 1 hour
Number of Moves/Techniques: Approximately 80
Return Policy: Don't Know
Experiences in dealing with this company: Don't Know
The Instructor: Bernie Lau
Company's Address: PO Box 299, Mountlake Terrace, Washington 98043
Company's Phone Number: Don't Know
Web Page: http://www.seattleschoolofaikido.org/about_icho_ryu
Another Link: https://www.facebook.com/bernie.lau.3
E-Mail: Don't Know


Main Grading Criteria

Production/Tape Quality: 9
Instructors demonstrated skill level: 10
Comprehension Score: 9
Degree to which this will make someone a better Martial Artist: 9
Score on delivery vs hype: 9
Degree to which we’d recommend this product: 8
Wasted Time (The higher the number, the less " fluff "): 9
Playback Score/Watching it over-and-over again): 9
Would I purchase more of this company's products: 9
Overall grade based on cost vs value: 9

Grand Total: Revised to 90 % ( Fair = 2.5 Stars ) Original score was 91%


Secondary Grading Criteria

Beginners: Fair
Intermediate: Fair
Advanced: Good
Time to benefit: Not immediate for most people.
The need to buy additional tapes to understand this one: None


Written Summary:

This is by far the best tape in the Aiki Jujitsu series by Bernie Lau that I have reviewed so far. This tape ( as all the others in the series ) is beautifully produced and aesthetically pleasing to watch. In this tape, Mr Lau and his uke get right to the point quickly and begin doing aiki jujitsu techniques right from the start of the video. This video is very well organized. The tape is divided into segments that deal with each fundamental movement and then the various options off of that fundamental movement. This, coupled with effective narration, good camera angles, and adequate lighting to see the techniques, make for a very effective presentation of the aiki jujitsu that Mr. Lau is demonstrating.

As far as the techniques, we are shown a variety of techniques such as nikkyo, sankyo, hiji gyaku ( elbow locks ), finger locks, gooseneck locks, ikkyo, shionage takedowns, escapes, various striking and kicking methods, pressure point attacks, and the use of several weapons including the jo, the bo, the telescopic baton and the iron fan. All techniques are shown slowly and smoothly to allow the viewer to understand the key element of blending with the opponent to make these techniques work.

This is indeed a beautiful art to watch. It is also a very difficult art to master, particularly from watching a video. But this video does lay the material out there for the viewer to absorb. In the hands of an experienced person, these techniques would be excellent street effective techniques.

CJ


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