A San Francisco Bay Area native, Kevin Heard Sensei has been studying Japanese cultural arts for 25 years. He holds teaching licenses in Shin-shin-toitsu-do, a form of Japanese yoga, as well as related healing arts. He also holds the rank of menkyo chudan (a traditional teaching license roughly equivalent to fourth through sixth dan in modern ranking systems) in Saigo Ryu aiki-jujutsu.Heard Sensei also serves on the SMAA Board of Advisors. He is the assistant editor for the SMAA Journal and the former webmaster for the SMAA website. He currently holds the title/rank of Fuku Shihan/fifth dan in the SMAA's Traditional Jujutsu Division.
He has also received rank and teaching licenses from the Nihon Jujutsu and Kobudo divisions of the Kokusai Budoin, an elite international martial arts federation headquartered in Tokyo. He has, additionally, demonstrated aiki-jujutsu several times at the Kokusai Budoin Sogo Budo Taikai, held annually in Tokyo.
The images above show Mr. Heard applying various Saigo Ryu techniques to Troy Swenson, SMAA associate member. The photos depict randori, training that is not prearranged (like kata). In Saigo Ryu randori, the opponent can attack using any type of assault, including punches, kicks, grabs, close-in grappling, etc. The defender responds with appropriate techniques that use the principles of Saigo Ryu.
The images above show Mr. Heard applying various Saigo Ryu techniques to Troy Swenson, SMAA associate member. The photos depict randori, training that is not prearranged (like kata). In Saigo Ryu randori, the opponent can attack using any type of assault, including punches, kicks, grabs, close-in grappling, etc. The defender responds with appropriate techniques that use the principles of Saigo Ryu.
