Company: Bernie Lau Productions
Tape Name: Dynamic Techniques of Aiki Jujitsu
Tape Cost: 39.95
Length of Tape/Time: 1 hour
Number of Moves/Techniques: Approximately 65
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

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Main Grading Criteria

Production/Tape Quality: 10
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 "): 7
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: 89 % ( Fair = 2.25 Stars )

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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: Possibly

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Written Summary:

This tape is an older video tape produced in 1985 but it is still a better quality production that many videos being produced today. This video does deliver on what it is advertised to be and that is it does show a lot of dynamic techniques from the art of aiki jujitsu. When I saw the first few minutes of this video, I thought " Oh no, not some hokey police defensive tactics tape ". But it was not that at all. It turned into a very informative and enjoyable tape to watch.

The tape is shown in a semi dramatic narrative that begins in a police station with the police being told to bring in a shotgun wielding suspect. As the various policemen disperse to their squad cars, we hear them talking about various aiki jujitsu techniques that they have used on previous arrests. In a moment, the cops are chasing the shotgun wielding suspect and at the moment of capture, we are treated to one of the officer's brief " flashback " to his training in an aiki jujitsu dojo. It is at this point that the various techniques are introduced to the viewer.

Many techniques are shown on this part of the video. Camera angles are good and their is sufficient narration to explain what is going on during the technique. Many joint locks, throws, striking techniques, pressure point attacks, breakholds, and weapon defenses are shown. Many of the root movements remain the same in these techniques but the instructor, Mr. Bernie Lau, states that he recommends learning a few basic techniques ( 6 or 7 ) and then practicing those diligently until they become second nature to the practitioner.

This video is told from a police officer's perspective so there is much material on handcuffing techniques, handgun protection, and proper methods of arresting a suspect and using pain compliance techniques. I would agree with Mr. Lau that to use these effectively on the street, they must be thoroughly mastered first in the dojo before trying them out on the street. Most of the techniques require several slightly complicated maneuvers to make them work and this is why the drilling and practice is so important.

The video closes with Mr. Lau, awakened from his flashback, as an undercover cop arresting the shotgun wielding assailant that we saw in the first part of the video. This video is entertaining and very well produced, especially considering when it was made ( circa 1985 ). As far as applying the material to the street, I think it can be done but a LOT of training time must be invested for this material to be used as street effective techniques.

CJ