There is a certain apprehension when you know you are about to embark on an information gathering mission with several folks you barely know, each of whom have a lifetime of martial knowledge in their respective memory banks.
Don't get me wrong--I've trained with some of the best and brightest out there, but there is a feeling you get in the pit of your stomach knowing you are about to step onto the deck with some spectacular martial artists, no matter the system or style. Humbling is the word I'm searching for here; to stand in line with other budo-ka having a cumulative thousand years worth of knowledge is just that: humbling.
I hopped a quick flight from Atlanta, Georgia to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on the fourteenth of October. After grabbing my rental vehicle, I drove half an hour north to Sensei Terry Valentino's beautiful home, where I had the excellent fortune to meet his lovely wife, Virginia before training into the night.
Friday evening's training included a crash course on Annako kata. For years, I was interested in learning this Chito Ryu kata and finally had the opportunity to train on it and its concepts with Valentino sensei. We moved forward and backward across the dojo floor as sweat rolled down my face (this wasn't necessarily a huge accomplishment, since sweat pours off me all the time).
Next, several of our Canadian brothers showed up and we focused on Valentino sensei's interpretation of the Chito Ryu Hen Shu Ho, or two man self-defense kata. There was much controlled violence to be had, and by the end of the night our arms, shoulders and torsos had taken a severe beating.
I made it back to my hotel and stood in the hottest shower possible for over twenty minutes, willing the bruises and soreness away. Shortly thereafter, I melted into my bed and slept a dead man's sleep. All was better until my alarm sounded the next morning.
I pushed and pulled my sore body out of the bed and stepped into the shower for a second time in just a few hours. After grabbing a quick breakfast and some energy infused coffee, I made my way to the dojo to find several that had arrived before me.
We bowed in, stretched and warmed up before breaking into two groups. I attended sessions taught by Terry Valentino, Peter Giffen, Gerry Beshears, Joseph Hedderman, and Tony Hedderman. Each of these gentlemen were exceptionally gifted martial artists and continue to excel in both teaching and practice.
We spent significant time covering the Chito-Ryu Hen Shu Ho interpretations, incorporating jujutsu and judo in our various waza, as well as time spent covering Shi Ho Wari and Shi Ho Hai katas and applications from each.
Afterward, we all attended a dinner at one of Valentino sensei's black belts home and the festivities and site were amazing. When I awoke the next day, my body ached and my ribs were sore from laughing at everyone at the after-workout-dinner.
I can't wait to attend another training with this fine group of martial artists--and to everyone with a vested interest in Chito Ryu, Yoshukai, or one of the derivatives, I recommend contacting one of these men for the opportunity!
