Francis Ramasamy

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Francis Ramasamy (a.k.a Francis Sammy), is a Malaysian aikido teacher based in Penang and chief representative for Yoshinkan aikido in Southeast Asia.

Francis has accumulated an impressive experience throughout his 40 years' involvement in martial arts from Muay Thai, Judo, Tomiki Aikido, Jujitsu, Kendo, Yoshinkan Aikido, Kenjutsu, Wado plus Iaijutsu and holds a 7th dan in Yoshinkan Aikido, 6th dan Wado-ryu and a minimum of 3rd Dan in the rest of the other disiplines is the founder of Mushin-Do International. Being a close friend to the founder of Yoshinkan Aikido, the late Shioda Gozo, Shihan Francis Sammy was awarded the best foreign student and the most displined foreign student award for his vigorous training during the winter season in Japan together with the elite Tokyo riot police task. Francis Sammy is one of the very few in the world today to have his 5th and 6th Dan hand written by the late Shioda Gozo himself. Francis Sammy has also made Malaysia proud by winning the best foreign team in the all Japan Yoshinkan Aikido Demonstration. Francis Sammy is now being assisted by two of his most senior students Sensei Michael Amrul (5th Dan) and the Sensei Razali Deen (4th Dan)who is one of the most excellent and outstanding local Malay student. Francis Sammy and Michael Amrul who both hold a 6th dan were personal students to Hayakawa Soohoo the founder of Wado Shinpo.

Mushin-Do is the way of the empty mind - form to formlessness; the transition from seen techniques to unseen techniques. It encompasses studying the arts of aikijutsu, Yoshinkan combative systems, kenjutsu, iaido, jojutsu, atemi-waza and executing techniques without celebration; with a feeling of 'metta' (loving kindness). The latter is a Buddhist virtue expressed in the arts of peace or the ways of harmony aiding development of the Conscious Mind, the Subconscious Mind and Superconscious Mind leading to spontaneous reaction or mushin.

The art also encompasses acupressure (shiatsu), the study of Kodachi-Iai Shinden Fudo Ryu (short sword draws) and subduing an opponent through focusing on ki and pressure points. Mushin-Do is suitable for dan grades and people of a mature nature because of the uplifting feeling one gets when practising the art. There is no great physical effort required to practice it.