From Hatsumi to Active Balance | Dennis Bartram's 55-Year Journey Through Budo & Medicine

This video brings together selected clips from our Active Balance Level 1 online training, alongside original footage of Dr Masaaki Hatsumi, to explore some of the principles and experiences that have shaped Dennis Bartram’s approach to Budo, medicine and the human body. For more than 55 years, Dennis has studied the human body through both medicine and martial movement, including more than 35 years of study with Dr Masaaki Hatsumi in Japan. In the video, Dennis explores the relationship between Budo, natural movement, health and the traditional knowledge of Hichi Buko Goshin Jutsu, alongside the wider clinical and scientific influences that have shaped his work. His journey has included decades of clinical practice and study across Eastern and Western approaches, as well as his long-term work with Dr Stephen Levin and the principles of biotensegrity. These different influences have gradually come together within Active Balance — a modern whole-body approach to understanding how the body moves, adapts and functions as an interconnected system. Ancient principles alongside modern understanding. Active Balance Understand your body. Look after it. Feel better. #MasaakiHatsumi #DennisBartram #ActiveBalance #Budo #AmatsuTatara #Bujinkan