In 1964 they formed Simmons Martial Arts offering institutional and private instruction, a tradition that carries through to this day.
In 1966, they brought it to Corona, working with the Parks and Recreation Department. This allowed them to offer high quality, low cost training to the citizens of Corona. They also opened The UC Irvine Aikido Club. Robert and Elise named the school in Corona Chisai Raion, teaching Judo and Jujutsu, Yoseikan Aikido, and a mix of Shotokan and Kenpo Karate.
1967 was the year that Chisai Raion officially joined the Aikikai under the direction of Koichi Tohei, head instructor at the Hombu Dojo in Tokyo. In 1968 Kendo and Iaido were added to the curriculum.
Chisai Raion aligned their instruction with Takemusu Aikido in 1976. This follows Morihito Saito’s instruction at the Iwama Dojo. Iwama dojo, one of the oldest Aikido Dojos, is where O’sensei resided, spending the last 27 years of his life.
In 1983 Robert Simmons began to reviewed his body of knowledge in all of these disciplines and decided to codify them into a style that would become Enmeikan or Clear Circle School. It took 10 years to distill his knowledge, and in 1993 Chisai Raion became Enmeikan.
In 2000, Robert decided to retire from active instruction with Enmeikan Aikido. The Corona dojo was released to two of his best students, Dr. Thomas Van Cise and Terry McCarthy.
A new name was required and Tom and Terry formed Fudo Shin Tai or "Mind and Body as One," starting in 2001. The curriculum was mostly Aikido and Aikido weapons practice. The caveat, was that the techniques had to be effective in the street. Sensei Elise stayed on as a consultant to the school.
2006, January 16th to be exact, we lost Sensei Robert Simmons at the age of 69. Four years later in December of 2010, we lost Sensei Thomas Van Cise.
Sensei Terry McCarthy became the head instructor at the school 2011. His extensive background in martial arts, law enforcement and military service, is shaping the school to what it is now. The last three years, Fudo Shin Tai Aikido has embraced techniques from Judo, Jujutsu, and Yoshinkan Aikido. Demonstrations have been held for the school in Escrima, Pencak Silat and Lima Lama.
Sensei Elise, our founder and curriculum consultant, still attends and instructs, both in Aikido and in a womens' self-defense class in our dojo. Both Sensei Elise and Sensei Terry have been available for private instruction.
For five decades, thousands of students, young and old, male and female, from construction workers to congressmen, this school had taught them all. So now you know a little about us; let us know a little about you.
Onagaishimatsu!
“Do me the honor of practicing with me!”
An Oral History by Elise Simmons
