Yachigusa Ryu Aiki Bugei

Notice:
After almost 25 years in business, Yachigusa Ryu Aiki Bugei is now officially closed due to losing are lease. While it is hard to say good-bye, I want to thank everyone that has been part of Yachigusa Ryu, (past and present), and for affording me the chance to do something I truly loved, and to be honest never imagined I would one day do.
In the end, I’ll be the first to say that the business end of running a school was often very stressful, and I hated that part of it. However, I knew when I started, my goals had nothing to do with making money or gaining any notoriety in the martial arts community. Simply put, I’ve always had a passion for the martial arts, and I enjoyed sharing that passion, the knowledge I had learned, with others who saw value in it, even if I operated the school at a loss.
As unenjoyable as the business the end was, teaching afforded me the ability to interact with so many individuals that had a positive influence on my life. Many that became good friends that I have valued over the years. Clearly, if hadn’t been for so many students that had faith in me and my methods of teaching, as well as a desire to help the school grow and prosper, (especially during the first few years), Yachigusa Ryu would never have existed or lasted for so long. Truly, it was the people that made the school worth having.
Like I said, back in 1993 I had no plans to own and operate a martial arts school. It was something I didn’t even think about. I’m not even sure it was something I really wanted to do even at the time. But it did happen, and I feel extremely fortunate it did.

I argued and debated about this topic with so many Aikido practitioners over the years, and here it is finally in print. Wonder what they would say now.
Atemi: The Thunder and Lightning of Aikido revisits the source of the art by teaching the striking methods that made Ueshiba's techniques so effective. This is the most comprehensive text on striking in Aikido, and it begins with the notion that strikes should not be disregarded in modern dojo. It explores the common (yet mistaken) notion of atemi as a secondary aspect of Aikido, and argues that such an idea is incorrect, since O-Sensei's own teachings reveal that striking is the very core of the art.

I will be doing a seminar at the San Francisco Dojo on Saturday January 31, 2015. For starting time contact Glen Hunt.
Seminar will be on: Why Things Work and Mechanics in Movement.
After the seminar there will be another class on "Dirty Fighting Tricks," and depending on everyone's interest some sword.

I just found out that Don Angier died today, and am at a loss for words. While Angier, Soke was never my instructor, he had a profound impact on me as a martial artist and the way I teach today. As I’ve said in the past I owe him a lot.
I owe him a lot because when I met him I was a point in my martial arts development where I was questioning what my teacher had taught me. No other martial arts instructor I had gone to since my teacher’s did anything similar, (the Aikido guys were close, but still very different), and I was beginning to think what I had learned was wrong. The very way I had been taught was wrong.
That belief changed instantly during my first seminar with Angier, Soke back in 1994. Not only was he teaching things that were familiar, he was teaching them at a level that surpassed those of my instructor. It was sort of like going from high school to grad school.
I would never say that I learned any “techniques” that weekend, but what I walked away was more valuable and precious to me than I can express in words. For the first time I met a teacher who not only had phenomenal physical skills, but more importantly had the ability to explain what he was doing using science. He could break down every movement and articulate why every action worked.
“Triangulation, double weighting, sectional movement, back-pressure, etc.” things I had been doing all my life now had terms I could identify them with. Finally I had something tangible, (opposed to the esoteric/lost in translation explanations of my teacher), of how and why things worked the way they did. I now had “principles,” based on science I could search for within my art. Principles I could use to refine what I already knew, and make myself a better practitioner and teacher.
That weekend opened my eyes to a whole new realm of exploration I may have never known. It helped me on my path to explore my art at a deeper level, and fill in many of the missing pieces I was unable to get from my teacher.
Over the years I attended numerous seminars taught by Angier, Soke, and each time I walked away with new ideas and concepts to explore. Each time I left I was mentally invigorated, ready to see how what he taught could be applied to the art I practice.
Like I’ve told all my students over the years, I have never gone to Angier, Soke’s seminars to learn techniques. To be honest, I often found myself physically incapable of doing many of the techniques the way he taught them, and the way he expected them to be done. But I never stopped trying. I did my best at the seminars to do things his way, and use those lessons to improve my skills back at my own school. I took what he gave me and made it my own.
Sure, over the years I have been accused of “stealing.” From Angier, Soke, however there is no one I have ever taught that is not aware who deserves the credit.
I of course have never considered it as stealing. I look at it as embracing the information he was so willing to share at these seminars, and running with it. Though I may not have fully understood everything he was saying at the time, (even to this day), I saw the value of this information, and its importance.
Clearly, his seminars were both physically and mentally challenging for me, but the most important aspect of them were they were my first steps in a quest to seek out and discover even more information, which has often led to even more insights and further questions to be answered in the future. Maybe that alone is why I have so much respect for Angier, Soke. He made me think. He made me examine things. He didn’t just hand me knowledge, he inspired me to search further.
Without a doubt, over the years I have incorporated and taught a lot of the information Angier, Soke shared. I’ve even changed many of the things I used to do/teach based on corrections he made/ insights he led me to explore. I’ve never, and will never deny that.
I also have no illusions I will ever attain his mastery of the martial arts. All I can do is aspire to improve myself based on the knowledge he gave me.
Angier, Soke changed the way I look at martial arts. He helped me improve my abilities, and the way I teach. He was a mentor, without maybe even realizing that’s what he meant to me.
The funny thing is, in the end how I’ll remember Angier, Soke the most has nothing to do with anything he ever taught at any seminar. No it’s more personal, and related to some advice he once gave me.
A few years after we first met, we were casually talking, and I brought up my dilemma between what my teacher had taught me, and my realization on how different everybody else seemed to do things. Basically, I was having doubts about what I had learned in the past, and if I should even pass the knowledge down to others.
His advice was simple, “Don’t care what other people do/think, and be true to yourself.”
Yes, its advice one could hear from anybody, part of me may have already felt that way to some degree, but unlike most of our conversations which ended on a single phrase or thought this one didn’t.
While I don’t remember the conversation word for word, what he said had a lasting influence on me. For the first time, a martial artist I fully respected, made me feel positive about who I was as a martial artist.
Clearly, and in no uncertain terms, he made sure I understood I still had a lot to learn, but he made me feel that all the years of training I had done weren’t worthless. That I had potential if I was willing to work to achieve it.
Though some of his former students may have comments that debate the above statement, they weren’t present during our conversation, and Angier, Soke had no reason to offer the encouragement that he did. And as Angier, Soke stated I don’t care what others think.
It’s true I may never know what he really thought about me, if he even had an opinion. All I know is that he taught me a great deal, inspired me to be better, and with a simple phrase made me change my outlook on the art I’ve now been practicing for over 40 years.
Part of me wishes I had known about Angier, Soke when I was a young man. I would have definitely tried to become one of his students then. But that was not meant to be.
Fortunately, by some random luck, I did meet him, and had the opportunity to learn from him. For that I am grateful.
Angier, Soke you will be missed. RIP

Just found out today that Victor Anderson died a few months ago. Victor was a good friend and supporter of the school, and will be missed. I truly thank him for the support he showed my school, his insights he shared about the martial arts, his encouragement to stick to my ideals and teaching methodologies, and for just being one hell of a nice guy. Victor it was an honor and privilege to know you, and my condolences go out to your family and loved ones. RIP

ANNOUNCEMENT

On Saturday November 16, 2013 Glen Hunt and Grover Reece will be formally tested for promotion in the art of Yachigusa Ryu Aiki Jutsu. While this system has no actual dan (black belt) ranking system, these tests will be conducted in front of a panel made up of several various martial art instructors, who will determine if Glen Hunt and Grover Reece demonstrate proficient abilities accredited to dan ranks.
Grover Reece will be testing for the rank of: Menkyo Shoden (Beginning Transmission) Shoden: initial transmission, that which is transmitted first. 1st Dan Black belt
Glen Hunt will be testing for the rank of: Chuden Menkyo (License for the instructor of the mid- level). 4th Dan Black Belt

Anyone from the school is welcome to view the testing, and volunteers to assist Glen and Grover during the testing process is encouraged.

Any questions or concerns regarding this test should be addressed to me.

To whom it may concern,
Grover has done a lot to promote the school since he became a student, and has earned this promotion. A promotion to a position within the school that I have not filled in over 10 years. Grover is now responsible for all school related information/advertisement that exits the school, inquires about seminars, and any and all related topics that help promote the school and the art of Yachigua Ryu Aiki Bugei.
Congratulations
*Note: Spencer Burns will still be editor of the school blog. Sorry Spencer, but who else could deal with my lousy spelling, wordiness, and bad grammar.