Bernie Lau Sensei

Bernie Lau (Bernie's Updates)

In order to achieve any skill we need good instructions, guidance and perseverance. The better our foundation and basics in the art the further our possible potential. Without the proper understanding of how to study, how to practice, and to develop a discipline in our lives it doesn't matter how great our teachers are or what are we study we will always fall short. I owe my practice, discipline and any achievements to Lau sensei. As my first Aikido sensei, and actually my first real sensei he taught me by example and instruction what Aikido was about, more importantly how to try to live with honor, sincerity, integrity, and respect. A saying he would use from Master Tohei was, "Respect is for all ; even an inch worm has at least half an inch of spirit."

Lau Sensei 1973

From those early days of the 1970's Lau has faced many challenges as a law enforcement officer but even today he sets a wonderful example for all his students to become a truly kind and just human being. As his students and friends use to say, "He's the ideal cop".
In the mid 1970's Lau build and established his own dojo in Mountlake Terrace, Washington called WASHINGTON BUDOKAN where he began training a select dedicated number of students in Icho Ryu Aikijujutsu.

Lau started his training in 1955 in Hawaii and earned his shodan from Aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba. His primary Aikido sensei was Shihan Yukiso Yamamoto and Sado Yoshioka, both students of Koichi Tohei and pillars of the Hawaii Aikikai. Lau sensei also studied on occasions with Tohei sensei, Doshu sensei (the founder's son), and attended classes by Osensei (the founder of Aikido).

Sado Yoshioka, Shihan

With his work in Seattle's law enforcement community Lau sensei needed to research more options and techniques to use while faced with life and death situations encountered on the street. He pursued his studies of the martial arts in Goju Ryu Karate and then putting his focus on Aikijujitsu. Inviting guest instructors to his dojo such at: Frederick J. Lovret, Soke Don Angier, Wally Jay, and Obata author of Combat Aikijujitsu Lau sensei studied the many facets of Jujitsu and Aikijujitsu. After years of on-the-job research he formulated a system to teach law enforcement officers he named Icho Ryu Aikijujitsu.

Neil Yamamoto Chief Instructor
Icho Ryu Aikijujitsu

In 2004 Lau appointed Neil Yamamoto chief instructor of Icho Ryu Aikijujitsu and officially retired. Currently Lau sensei is enjoying retirement and does occasionally travel to his associate clubs to give seminars.
(Bernie's Updates)

Lau sensei has a series of 9 Aikijujutsu instructions tapes. Nine of these will be offered through Xin Qi Shen Dojo & wuji.com February 2006.

1972 Lau Sensei Video Clip

Check out DVD page

Pictures from June 2005 workshop
at Xin Qi Shen Dojo