In November 2009, the second SMAA event in California took place. It was hosted by the San Francisco Bay Area-based Sennin Foundation Center for Japanese Cultural Arts (www.senninfoundation.com). The chief instructor was H. E. Davey, SMAA Jujutsu Division seventh dan.Instruction each day began with training in the Shin-shin-toitsu-do system of Japanese yoga. More specifically, students studied one of the forms of sitting meditation taught in Shin-shin-toitsu-do. Through learning to coordinate the mind and body via meditation, participants had an opportunity to experience deeper levels of calmness, relaxation, and concentration.
Later, Mr. Davey presented classes in the Saigo Ryu system of martial arts. Training focused on one of the Saigo Ryu aiki nage techniques, which allowed students to throw an opponent without struggling and without the use of great physical strength. Mr. Davey also explained how many of the principles of mind and body unification that were outlined in his Japanese yoga instruction could be applied to throwing an attacker with aiki nage.
