Shintaikido of Pacifica

Shintaikido is a martial art developed by Kaiso Dave Bendigkeit. "Kaiso" means "founder" in Japanese. Shintaikido is a combination of Kaiso's training in Aikido, Kajukenbo, Kung Fu, Tai Chi, and Chi Gung. Kaiso was able to mix the various root arts into his techniques. Since this was not being true to any one art exclusively, this was an art without name. With the blessings of his teachers, Grand Master Bob Maschmeier (Kajukenbo), Patricia Hendricks Sensei (Aikido), and Sifu Andy Ching (Sil Lum Fut Ga), and others, Kaiso formulated his knowledge in all of his practiced arts into Shintaikido, or "Mind - Body - Spirit - Way".

In its initial stages, Shintaikido is based on principles of Aikido and the Karate aspects of Kajukenbo. As the student progresses, he or she incorporates the Jujitsu and Kung Fu aspects. In Shintaikido's later stages, training returns to its Aikido roots. The various principles of the different styles are combined by the student under Kaiso's guidance. It is taught as a traditional martial art, allowing a person under attack to make a choice as to whether to be a street fighter, a martial artist, or step aside and move on. A simple goal of training is to be able to instantly adapt to any situation with the appropriate reaction and level of force.

In his years of study, Kaiso Dave Bendigkeit has found that all true martial arts are essentially the same and that there is no superior art since all martial arts utilize the same sound principles of movement. This is because martial art is an expression of the practitioner, and the practitioner is always human. Beginners may find this difficult to understand.

The best way to gain a basic understanding of Shintaikido is to train for 20 years. In doing so, some of your most general questions may find answers. Shintaikido is not a scheme to become invincible in two weeks. Shintaikido is a lifelong path.