Shihan's Blog
Shihan Allie Alberigo is a father, martial artist, owner of L.I. Ninjutsu Centers, serial entreprenuer as well as the author of 4 books "21st Century Ninjutsu - A Warriors Mindset, The Beginners Guide to Ninpo, The Three Kings and Martial Art business 101." He has also produced a complete video series of the entire curriculum of 21st Century Ninjutsu and business dvd's. Shihan Allie has written tens of thousands of articles in his lifetime and has been published in 100's of magazines. In this section you will find some articles and rants on history and culture of the martial arts and so much more. ENJOY!................
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Shihan Allie Alberigo has been a student of spirituality almost his entire life. Being born of American Indian decent, his beliefs in the law of nature and the esoteric ways, have become a staple in his mindset and how he lives daily. Allie, has taught 10’s of thousands of students how to live a calmer, happier and peaceful life. Filled with love, compassion and empathy as well as little stress.
In this book he has shared some simple concepts on how to live the life of your dreams, filled with happiness and meaning. If you are searching for a book that is quick and easy to read but packed with powerful techniques on create a life of fullfillment and desire, then you found the right book.
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Question Dated 6/15/09
Shihan,
I hoped you enjoyed your recent weekend trip to Bermuda. I know that we enjoyed having you and training with you while you were here.
A friend of mine said that "it was his understanding that Ninjas only taught their Art to their own Clan members." How, when and why did it get taught to non-Clan members?
Regards,
Rich Smith – L.I. Ninjutsu Centers - Hekigan Dojo – Bermuda
Hello Rich:
It was great being in Bermuda teaching the students and being around such positive energy. For me it is much different than I am sure it is for you. Because you are used to looking out and seeing Oceans of beautiful blue color with cascading cliffs overlooking beautiful waves crashing on the beach on a daily basis. To me no matter how many times I have been to the island it is simply paradise. Anyway, I will stop making people jealous so thanks for having me.
Your question is a great one – and one that students will appreciate. There are many layers - Remembering I am not a historian but have spent a great deal of time researching, traveling, training in Japan and speaking to Japanese Masters about this very same question. For hundreds of years, the Ninja kept their arts secretive, only taught from family to family, clan to clan. There was an interesting cross over though. Through history, the Ninja were actually Samurai. Let me be clear on this – Shoguns, would hire Ninja Clans to work for them as higher level security, bodyguards and warriors. The Ninja’s secretively guarded gates at castles, posed as Gardeners, and ran missions and even headed up armies. It was ingenious – because, the Shogun knew if that particular clan was in his higher, it was highly unlikely they would be hired by someone else to infiltrate and assassinate them. Also, like in our C.I.A. or F.B.I., we have snipers who know where other snipers would get specific shots, so we send out our anti-sniper’s to scout locations and stay one step ahead of them. The Ninja were basically a secret society within the Samurai clans. Who better to know the Ninja then the Ninja themselves. Although, many Ninja clans specialized in different things.
Now that we know Ninja were actually acting as Samurai, the answer to your question is - Ninjutsu became public in a big way in the 1980’s. Before I go into that let me digress a bit, as more and more Caucasians started traveling to Japan, meeting, and also marrying Japanese, Ninjutsu slowly started being taught to people outside of their clan. Also, with fear that the art would be lost, some select Japanese masters would teach non family members as a means of preserving their arts.
Now back to the 1980’s, “The Ninja Boom,” this is when I became enthralled with Ninjutsu. I watched movies like “Enter the Ninja,” with Sho Kosugi and other films like “Shinobi no Mono,” at this time I was following around Shihan Vazquez an American Ninja master, watching him in tournaments, hoping that one day I could train with him. I was currently training in Filipino Kali/Arnis under Tuhon Sayoc. I later became a personal student of shihan Vazquez and one of his top students and ended up traveling to Japan under his wish. I was on the outside looking in, reading every Ninja book, watching every Ninja movie, reading every magazine. One American’s name continually came up – which was Stephen Hayes. Stephan Hayes traveled to Japan, started training and eventually brought the Ninja boom back with him to the U.S.
There could be an entire book written on what happened after that, but that is another question. I later became good friends with Stephen Hayes, which ws the ultimate reward. He was kind of my mentor indirectly and I highly respect him. When people say “The world is a small place” they are 100% correct. I used to watch this man teach Ninjutsu, but by happenstance ended up training with his first Ninja teacher – Tanemura Soke of Genbukan Ninpo Bugei. Stephen Hayes, was the first person to bring Tanemura Soke to the U.S. Later on due to political reasons, Stephen Hayes, ended up training with Hatsumi Sensei, who was at the time Tanemura Soke’s teacher. Now these two individuals are two of the top Ninja teachers in the world. Stephen Hayes, has contributed more to the Ninjutsu community more then anyone else to date.
The Ninja boom was a big reason that Ninjutsu is still around today, and most of the reason that it is taught so freely. With the lessons of these two Ninja teachers and also, some others not so famous Ninja masters - Ninjutsu caught on and is one of the most widely practiced arts today.
With the many amazing teachers out there that are now preserving the once secretive art. We not only owe a debt of gratitude to the foreign students who continue to train and preserve this art but some of the higher ranking teachers who continue to hold the art dear to their hearts. Now Ninjutsu is freely taught to the public and just like any other martial art you can easily gain access to it. I still however hold specific teachings such as the esoteric arts to long time students. As you know and most of my students know, recently I made it public that what I teach is no considered 21st century Ninjutsu. This is what I have learned throughout my life, which incorporates all of my 4 decades of martial arts training and all of my life-experiences. I am honored to have you and all of my students in my school. Ninpo IKKAN!
In spirit;
Shihan
Allie
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Shihan:
As you know I have been training for close to 2 years now and in all that time there is only one aspect of training that I have never had actual instruction in, and that is how to Kiai, and why we are supposed to. I my self learned how to kiai from Aikido and what purpose it served there. I have read some of the books that mention Kiai Jutsu so I understand somewhat of its' expanded purpose in Ninjutsu.
The only reason I ask you this question is, one of the other students approached my brother the other day during training and asked him what he was doing when he did his Kiai and what purpose it served. I have asked some younger students what purpose it served to see what they may have been taught, and there answer was the most basic reason, which was to make sure they keep breathing when they fight. I have never asked anyone if they were taught the basics of how to Kiai, but from listening to some of my classmates I get the impression that they are kind of trying to figure it out on there own with varying levels of success.
So I was wondering if this is something that is taught in beginner levels that I may have missed. Is the training of it something you want students to figure out on their own.Christopher Webster - Sankyu - Blue Belt
Dear Chris:
First - thank you for presenting this question. As you know when I teach I always ask at the end of class "does anyone have any questions" usually I meet with a room filled with blank stares as if a question is a death sentence. I then explain further to help the students out a bit "questions, can be on anything, technique, spirituality, protocol - anything." Most of the time, I get nothing. As you and most students know, I am at no shortage of giving my opinion and the many lessons that I have learned in my lifetime. So here goes.
The Kiai "Spirit Shout"
For many martial artists this is nothing more then a reminder to breathe like you mentioned above. In its simplest form, it is to force a student to continue to breathe. Most students don't realize how they are holding their breath and how it restricts their technique and power. With that being said, the Kiai is so much more. The definition the Spirit Shout is really more what this is about. If you remember in the movie "Braveheart" with Mel Gibson at the end battle scene both armies stood in front of each other and took turns yelling (Kiai) trying to intimidate each other. What most people really don't get is what it does for the person or the army itself. It helps to build energy, enthusiasm and of course courage. Really the point is the kiai is all about your inner spirit, it reflects who you are. Sometimes I tell my students - you don't always have to Kiai outwardly. You can Kiai internally. For example: a grunt a grown a thought to yourself. The Kiai is really taking your time to pull you into a state. I just taught state change the other day in Black Belt Club.
In our system their are two types of kiai's and of course hundreds of interpretations. Most people are familiar with the "Yin and Yang" in the Chinese culture. This is the circle with black and white divisions with the squiggly line and the two dots. In the Japanese culture there is a similar one called "In and Yo." The picture represented is different it is a Egg shaped circle, normally red and white. We have a In - Kiai and then we have Yo - Kiai. Some may say, which goes where. Well, the answer really is in the practice. For practical purposes and practice within the dojo all attacks are in the sound "Epp" (Pronounced IP) all Defenses are in the sound "To" (pronounced Tow). What is the attack and what is the defense, when does a defense become an attack, when does a attack become an offense. This is where the confusion lies. Really the answer is in your feeling at the moment. The kiai is developed through years of practice.
No matter what, whether it be a - Ura Kiai (Inner) - thought or inner growl or sound, or a outward Kiai Omote Kiai makes no difference, it is up to you. Kiai is a representation of who you are, how you train and how you work. IT is also a sign of your motivation, your intensity, your attitude, drive and determination.
I am sure you can see why, the answer to this question is not brought up by instructors. Most of the time it creates more confusion, at the beginner level, then it is worth. So we allow students to continue to train and build up inner spirit, confidence and a martial spirit, and sooner or later, the Kiai is understood, but most importantly it is not something a Black Belt does, it is who they become.
In spirit;
Shihan Allie
Convenience Morality
When I was a young man around the age of 20, one of my martial art teachers taught me a very valuable lesson. Actually the reality is he did it unintentionally by stealing from me. Just recently another person that I thought was a friend of mine and a high ranking grandmaster did something similarly by showing me their true colors in a conversation we had, unveiling he had been holding a grudge for many years and never truly looked at me as a friend. In the first story the teacher didn’t technically reach into my pocket and take my money or go into one of my bank accounts and steal. We had entered into a business partnership together and he went back on a series of promises resulting in a huge amount of money lost for me and years of time wasted. The deal was, I would work hard and put in the time and make money through a series of companies we started and we would invest the profits into real estate, later flipping the properties for a profit and keep growing the business.
At one point he decided he was going to live in the very house we invested in and make it his permanent residence. In turn I was going to lose out on all the time, money, effort and energy I had put into this first deal. He justified his actions 100 different ways, skewing the facts but the reality was he was living in a house I worked hard for to buy. This was one of the most valuable lessons I ever learned.
Skip ahead 25 years, as a martial art teacher running a rather successful martial art school I deal with people on a daily basis interacting with hundreds of people. While the majority of clients are kind, honest, loving great people, I have seen a trend that supports my theory, leading me to believe that a majority of people will do what is right, expected and proper as long as it fits neatly into their schedule. If it takes above and beyond effort to do what is correct they may stop, making an excuse or finding a reason to walk away and not do anything at all. I have come to one definitive conclusion - society has adapted what I call “Convenience Morality.”
In a many situations people are frozen in the feeling of ease and comfort. One of my mentors and self-help guru’s Tony Robbins talks about the human desire to experience pleasure. I agree with his statement. Sometimes though this quest for pleasure may be short term and result in long term pain or at a minimum wasted time - RE: drinking alcohol, smoking, drugs, stealing, cheating, over eating or eating improperly etc. Another example that is less drastic may be procrastination. Waiting till the last minute to study for a test and then cramming. This person may pass the test but they will forget the material just as quickly – resulting in wasted time due to the lack of actual knowledge for time spent. The initial desire to experience pleasure is destroyed by the long term result of long lasting pleasure. The same goes for Morality. What can I do today that is easy to help people? There are a small percent of the population that will go out of their way to help people if it doesn’t fit into their comfort zone or pleasure. For example if we help someone and it makes us feel good, and is easy to do, we may do it. But if we know helping someone may create pain for us, a larger group of the population will avoid it. This again, is a matter or convenience or comfort.
I have proven this over and over again when I run charity events in my martial art school. With the mass volume of students I have in my school we could ban together and make a considerable difference. Unfortunately, when I speak to my students, parents and friends, they look me in the face and yes me to death. They don’t actually go out of their way to help.
Recently out of 350 people asked to help raise money for the C.T.F – Children’s Tumor Foundation only 30 people stepped up and actually helped us raise money. Some I really pressured and the only reason they did anything was to avoid the pressure I was putting on them on a daily basis, while others stepped up willingly. My pitch to all students was to simple go out and ask 5 people to donate. It didn’t matter if they only raised $20, which is a very small amount. If we multiplied that by 350 people we would have raised $5000. Instead 30 people went above and beyond and we raised $2700 dollars. 10% of the people put the effort forward, while 320 people stood by and did nothing.
Now in their defense, I can say, they are all great people: who knows how busy, involved with other charities or not aligned with this event they are. Maybe they are not comfortable with asking others, maybe feel funny or do not like the feeling they get when put in this situation. Maybe what I feel is right, is totally 100% different to them. Again, this supports my theory of “Convenience Morality.” If it is not entirely inline with their life, then they step away and do nothing. Another quick example is litter. I continually still see people throwing garbage out the window of their car, the biggest being cigarette’s. My daughter recently did a cleanup of a park with her girl scout troop – she cleaned up nearly one hundred discharged cigarette’s among other garbage. I can’t imagine people don’t realize what they are doing. What is it? Do they not care? Again, it is all about convenience. The convenience morality.
So rather then continuing negatively with what people should do. I want to layout a few scenario’s to help you or others grow their compassion and morality muscles and change their paradigm.
5 Steps to Change
1. Write down 3 things you would like to see change around you. For example: Litter, over eating etc. Then decide what you can do to make a difference. Remember – picking up garbage when you see it, removes it for others.
2. Help to educate others about your quest and this type of mentality. Take this article and share it with others. Ask them to be a part of the change. Start a movement.
3. Try to pass down your good behavior to your family. Don’t say “do as I say, not as I do.” Actually lead by example and teach others to do the same.
4. Create an awareness on facebook, or email friends about the good things you’re doing. For example: It was gross but I did it anyway – I cleaned up garbage on the side of the road, or in my neighbor’s yard. Etc.
5. Pay it forward – ask people that you do good for to do good for someone else. Not pay it back, but pay it forward. If you do a good deed and they pay it forward, it can literally impact millions. Remember we can easily complain about things we do not like, or we can be a part of the change. Let’s make a difference.
Allie Alberigo is a father, martial artists, martial arts school owners, entrepreneur and martial art and business consultant. For more information please email Allie at kyoshi@lininja.com or renshilininja@aol.com or call 1 888 Lininja or friend him on face book Kyoshi Allie Alberigo.
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Common Sense is not so Common
by Shihan Allie Alberigo
When I think about the saying “Common sense is not so common,” I picture an older man speaking to a younger man reprimanding him for not thinking about his task. He says to the younger man “what is wrong with you this is common sense,” as he shakes his head in disappointment. It is not uncommon in any area of life to have heard this or maybe even had it directed at you. Sometimes from the person making the statement their reference of common sense seems to be normal but for the person performing the task it could totally be foreign.
A good example may be a jungle worker in some far off land who should know better then to go to sleep during a lunch break – who ended up on the internet in the belly of a large Boa constrictor. So in this case Common Sense wasn’t so common. Talking to someone about something they have no reference on is a different story. For example how to run a business, this is a highly trained skilled and without the correct training a business owner will fail terribly. So what is common amongst every day people?
While teaching martial arts to my students, I talk to them about things that I have been doing for over a four decades, things that I believe is the basic core fundamental principles of my martial arts training but it falls on their ears like a brand new discovery. At times what I think to be basic is not very basic at all. So my approach when I speak to my students all the time, no matter how large a class, I treat everyone as if they were starting from scratch. My theory is – if one simple idea is lost or not being used, whether it is the most basic it can have a long term effect on the growth of that person in the long run.
So what is common sense in the Martial arts and life? I would have to say with total confidence nothing. What is basic to one person may not be to another. My approach is no nonsense, experience based education. I learned from personal experience, what works and what doesn’t, I share what I am using and what I have failed at. I am not afraid to say, I tried this and it didn’t work. I am also not embarrassed to speak of my mistakes as well as learn from them. I remember being very disappointed with Tony Robbins when he got divorced. I thought to myself, I listen to this man, I believe in him. I have used his philosophies in my relationship if he can’t have a successful marriage, then how can I listen to him about marriage. Then I realized that I can learn from people’s mistakes equally as I can from their successes, so this is why I share openly and honestly with every one of my students. In Tony Robbins case, he learned from his mistakes, corrected them and now goes on to show others.
I believe in following an owners manual or script of some sort although I have to admit many times I assembled items without using one and have found a few extra bolts when I was finished. Initially it didn’t matter, but in the long run what ever was left out came back to haunt me, the strength or the structure was weakened. Your life can be treated similarly, your mistakes, past and life-lessons is your blue print for success. Even though things may differ slightly from town to town, state to state, school to school, what works, works every where to some extent. At times culturally things may be different but all in all, concepts are adaptable. A person has to school themselves in the concept of common sense before it becomes common. What is common, then make sense but only after practices to the point of repetitive expertise. A saying I have adapted into my life is one that is used within the Navy S.E.A.L.’s and elite military personnel community “Truly Knowing is being able to perform at a subconscious level, without thought.” This to me is common sense, but it only comes with practice.
It is my goal to continually create common sense action principles for a variety of things that will help the world arming people with the tools to live their lives to the fullest.
Five Core fundamental Protocols of life – A set of formal rules describing how to
1) Do not be afraid to try new things.
2) CSI – Common sense index – always expand your knowledge base and never stop being a student.
3) Procedures Protocol’s – how do you live your life? What are your rules for success.
4) Who are you and where do you want to go.
5) What is the end game? Where do you see yourself in 5,8,10 years from now.
Crazed Ninja Warriors
You may think of Ninja as crazed warriors running around with black suits and hoods. But at the L.I. Ninjutsu Centers Ninja’s break the popular stereo type given to them in Hollywood. At Kyoshi Allie’s 21st Century Ninjutsu Centers, Ninja’s are taking time to help the unfortunate and dig in their heels for worthwhile causes.
This past summer at the annual Luau and fund raiser we raised over $1500 profit and divided it between "The Children’s Tumor Foundation and Intrepid Fallen Heroes fund." It is great to see so many students getting involved with things like this.
I believe the martial arts is so much more then just kicking and punching. We are performing random acts of kindness on a daily basis. So the next time you think of the Ninja, envision the man in a suit jacket bringing food to the needy or raising money by doing a fund raiser. The true essence of Ninjutsu is “Kajo Waraku.” To have the heart of a flower.
Click here to see the Thank you letter
Are you a Prejudice Ninja
I have been practicing martial arts for nearly four decades. Having trained with some of the best martial artists in the world, I feel I have paid my dues. Starting the martial arts in the late 1960’s I always was infatuated with the art of Ninjutsu. In the early 1990’s I started traveling to Japan on training excursions for weeks or months at a time with one of two of the top Ninja Grandmasters on the planet. I trained with this teacher for nearly 15 years traveling to Japan 15 times during that time attaining one of the highest ranks in his organizations. There were only a handful of students that held higher ranks then I throughout the world in fact I had the most students registered in his organization giving me the title of Dai Dojo Cho. The experiences have been amazing and I wouldn’t trade it for any amount of money.
Achieving 4th dan in American Ninjutsu under world renowned teacher Shihan Felix Vazquez of the Circle of One system was one of my proudest moments but I wanted to train in the classical martial art of Ninpo with a Grandmaster that held scrolls and lineage to the system he was teaching. What I later realized is, no matter what I achieved, how much I trained, how many times I traveled to Japan I was always going to be treated with extreme prejudice.
Still to this day and I can’t explain why I torture myself by watching and reading comments on Youtube.com or Blogs such as Bullshido.com or others on Ninjutsu. I have many video’s of my own on the site and there is not a month that goes by were someone doesn’t take a pot shot at another Ninjutsu System or style. Now I am not being a baby, I realize in order to be on the internet you must have thick skin due to the fact you are out in the public eye. There are always going to be people to put your down and say things about you which are not at all true. Opinions are a dime a dozen and judging by who their coming from they are just plain silly. The good thing, throughout my many years of training in the martial arts I have learned to practice patience and the art of letting go. I don’t let any comments really bother me, my old teacher used to say “Kajo Waraku” to have the heart of a flower.
Yet still I am confused why the art of Ninpo and Ninjutsu after all these years still has so many divisions, back stabbers and negative people. I have had the opportunity to train with Stephen Hayes and I believe him to be amazing, yet he has people that say negative things about him so I guess I am in good company, not alone and can’t complain. I still wonder why there isn’t this kind of thing going on in other systems. Most other systems embrace diversity and evolution, yet I find many people within the Ninjutsu community to want to stop the growth of the art.
I believe in tradition and classical technique, in fact I believe Ninjutsu is still to this day one of the most well rounded martial arts practiced. Yet, I continually get criticized for teaching concepts from other martial arts. Ninjutsu is the art of adaptation utilizing anything necessary to survive and succeed so in essence to me if I learn to cook it is Ninjutsu to me. If this is the philosophy, why are students and instructors still fighting over whether one organization is superior or legitimate?
My honest opinion is the grandmasters are still teaching this as proper behavior continuing this division and if people don’t start embracing each others talents, then Ninjutsu will continue to be dysfunctional and never grow to its fullest capacity. I on the other hand want to help unite the Ninja community and share and celebrate each others talents. I myself do not care what kan people claim to be from, I want to be a friend to all who practice this art as well as any other system or style. Granted there are many charlatans in this style as there are in any other martial art. I want to spend my time networking and creating friendships with any one of substance and quality irrelevant of their organization.
If there were only one thing that has come out of the rise to mixed martial arts which there isn’t – the item would be – there is no one martial art superior or inferior to the next. I recently to avoid the backlash of the ignorant have started to call the art taught at my schools 21st century Ninjutsu to eliminate the comments as to why I do what I do. When I receive comments or emails I hear things like “this isn’t Ninjutsu or Ninja’s don’t use Sai, Tonfa or firearms. I find this to be classically correct, but utterly ridiculous. If this was a legitimate comment then we would still be wearing straw sandles, walking around in Kimono or fighting the samurai. If the Ninja of ancient times were transported into the present they would be the Navy S.E.A.L.’s or any other Elite Fighting unite of modern times. I don’t think they would run around in Tabi with a sword, they would be equipped with the latest in technology and gadgets. I see Ninjutsu as an evolving art. I still teach the classical art as it was taught to me by my teacher from Japan, but I embrace the 21st century combat applications. I consider my school a life-skill institute and enjoy living a bit in the past as well as keeping one foot in the present.
My hopes are this article has opened up some minds as to what is wrong with the politics of Ninjutsu and bridges the gap and creates better relationships in the near future. I hope to hear from you so we can start our friendship. Here’s to a bigger better closer Ninjutsu Community.
Allie Alberigo is the owner and head instructor of L.I. Ninjutsu Centers with 3 locations in Suffolk county N.Y. and Bermuda. Allie is the author of three books "Beginners Guide to Ninpo," "21st Century Ninjutsu - A warriors Mindset" "Martial Arts Business 101 - Hooyah Living the dream" and is also a public speaker, actor and mentor/consultant and the founder of Atouchofzen.com. If you like Allie's writing style check out his personal site at AllieAlberigo.com. Allie can be reached at 631 321-5432 or renshilininja@aol.com or via his website at www.Lininja.com or if you are interested in growing your school and learning more about the business side of the martial arts check out www.takingittothenextlevel.com .
Senpai and Kohai Relationship
In a traditional Ninjutsu Dojo a very special relationship exists, known as the Sempai-Kohai (juniors and seniors) system. When you begin your education at your dojo, the students who are already there become your seniors, your Sempai and the ones who come after you become your Kohai, the juniors. This system remains regardless of rank, age or experience for the duration of your training. Since everyone who joins the school becomes part of the martial art family they will develop a relationship to those above or below them, this hierarchy system flows in an orderly manner. This method is called ON-GIRI (debt, duty or obligation). The kohai - junior has a certain debt which he owes to his Sempai – the seniors due to their willingness to pass on what they have learned.
The Sempai in turn has a duty – Giri - to his Sensei and the dojo to bring up the Kohai through the ranks as an older sibling would with their younger family member. This Kohai will help you, motivate you or yell at you when you are lazy, by acting as an advisor, coach and confidant; the Sempai assumes a tremendous responsibility. The Kohai who has been nurtured, tutored and cared for by his Sempai becomes an - ONJIN, a person obligated by this task, and as old Japanese adage goes, “Life and death are light as a feather, but obligation is as heavy as a mountain.” Most people cannot live up to this obligation, only performing these tasks while the obligation is easy and the benefits are visibly evident, until tasks and the loyalty becomes too difficult usually resulting in the re-evaluation of the Sensei, Sempai, Kohai relationship. Usually when this happens the average student will quit. It is not their fault; they do not possess the knowledge to make educated decisions or the will and desire to push past difficult times. This is only developed through consistent training.
The Dojo Cho or master of the system is responsible for teaching the Sensei. The Sensei’s are responsible for distributing the information to the sempai, so that others may benefit from his/her instruction. But it is the Sempai’s responsibility to tutor and assist the Kohai along and help whenever possible. The instruction is not as formal as the Sensei’s, rather it is given by example. Just as every Sensei has their specific method of teaching and passing on their lessons and the system of the martial arts. Every Sempai unconsciously develops their own method in assisting the head instructor. These methods become like a dojo sub-style. When a visitor settles in, he may have a few lessons to teach himself, or he may have a few to receive depending on where he falls in the Sempai-kohai relationship. This is only figured out with time and training.
Based upon the deep respect for loyalty and obligation which was a culture in old Japan, the Sempai-Kohai relationship is one that often extends throughout the lives of those involved in it. This is a concept that allows a Kohai to begin to develop the skills and attitude of helpfulness and leadership that are necessary for mastery and in a reciprocal way better their own lives. Quite often students take on a specific mentality – expecting new lessons on a daily basis, and in this modern day martial art era, the student expects the teacher to continually motivate, excite and nurture the student. If this does not happen the student loses motivation and the desire to better themselves. In a true school of Bushido – the warrior code – at some point the student changes their role and starts to give back to the Head instructor, the Sensei’s and the Sempai, in turn discovering things they would never have learned if they hadn’t. This is a very rare occurrence in modern society. In the case of young students this very rarely ever happens due to the fact of the parent always putting monetary expectations on their child’s lessons. It is not evident to the non-training participant as it wouldn’t be evident to an outsider of a parent who views their child’s growth based on the many years they have lived with their own child.
At times, this system or mentality may seem difficult for a person who has not been brought up in an Eastern mentality. The junior may feel they are being criticized or picked on. Even outside the dojo they may find their behavior under the watchful eye of a senior who is quick to correct or criticize. In spite of how it may initially appear it is for the benefit of the student and the dojo family. If you follow this path you will soon find yourself in the role of Sensei – guiding others, helping them achieve excellence in all aspects of their lives.
“Living Giri” – your loyalty for all you have learned and finding yourself a better person because of it.
This Article was written by Allie Alberigo a practicing martial artist with over 41 years of training. He hold many high ranking black belts and currently is Kyoshi Rank and a 6th degree. He can be reached at 1 888 – Lininja or Kyoshi@lininja.com check out his many websites at www.AllieAlberigo.com, www.Takingittothenextlevel.com, www.Lininja.com, www.Warriorkidsworld.com, www.Atouchofzen.com.
Allie Alberigo is the owner and head instructor of L.I. Ninjutsu Centers with 3 locations in Suffolk county N.Y. and Bermuda. Allie is the author of three books "Beginners Guide to Ninpo," "21st Century Ninjutsu - A warriors Mindset" "Martial Arts Business 101 - Hooyah Living the dream" and is also a public speaker, actor and mentor/consultant and the founder of Atouchofzen.com. If you like Allie's writing style check out his personal site at AllieAlberigo.com. Allie can be reached at 631 321-5432 or renshilininja@aol.com or via his website at www.Lininja.com or if you are interested in growing your school and learning more about the business side of the martial arts check out www.takingittothenextlevel.com .
East coast man receives coveted rank of 7th degree
East coast man training in the Ancient Martial Art of Ninjutsu receives the coveted rank of 7th degree black belt.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRLog (Press Release) - Jul 31, 2012 -
Black Belts of 2012 LINC Allie Alberigo has been training in the ancient Martial Art of Ninjutsu for over 30 plus years. He began his training as a child at the age of 3 years old. Like many other children, young Allie had lots of energy but lacked a direction in which to focus it. He was athletic but like did not like conventional sports. Allie's mother decided to take any approach to fitness and took Allie to the local karate dojo to give her son the ability to defend himself and most of all develop the confidence, self esteem and discipline to face the many obstacles that face our children in our society today. Little did Allie’s mother know that she was beginning the life-style of such a well known Martial Artist in our society today.
Never losing his passion to be the “ Best that he could be “ Kyoshi Allie has traveled all over the world to train with the best of the best in the arena of the Martial Arts. Kyoshi, (Master teacher) as his students call him has traveled to Japan 17 times to train in the discipline of the Ninja.
On July 29th Kyoshi tested and promoted 13 of his students from the age of 10 years old to the age of 49 to the coveted rank of Black Belt in the Art of the “21st Century Ninja” at his L.I. Ninjutsu Centers, and on the same day was presented with his own rank of 7th degree Black Belt and the title of Shihan. "This is going to be the hardest part to get my students to stop calling me Kyoshi and now call me Shihan." Allie Said.
Shihan Allie runs two Ninjutsu Centers on Long Island and travels extensively teaching the “Secret Art of the Ninja” to students throughout the United States, Bermuda, South America and Europe.
Although Shihan Alberigo has a demanding schedule of teaching and traveling but he is also a devoted father to his daughter Kiara who herself began training in Ninjutsu at the age of 2.5 years old. Training in the Martial Arts as Shihan Alberigo teaches is demanding physically and mentally. He says that anyone of any age as young as 2 can begin their career in the Art of Ninjutsu because it takes you from where you are to where you want to be.
Shihan Allies Dojo (place of training) is open for day classes and night classes and Shihan Alberigo is delighted to say that one of his favorite programs that they run at his West Islip School is for the sight impaired. Shihan says that one of the most rewarding things is to experience the confidence glowing in the classroom from his students after a good workout.
