Allie Alberigo began his martial arts
training in 1968 in a martial art style called Judo and Karate under one of the
first multi-school locations - Jerome Mackey. At the age of 7 years old he
attained a junior Black Belt when the school suddenly closed. Fortunately during
this time period he also trained periodically with his cousin in the art of
Aikido. His cousin a prominent martial artist also guided him to the rank of Black Belt
earning his second Black Belt in Aikido. Allie then met another teacher in the
art of Shotokan Karate � studying to the rank of Brown Belt during high school.
Allie became disheartened with the level of training due to lack of discipline
within the class and decided to leave the school. Throughout this time he was an
avid reader of Black Belt Magazine and Inside Kung Fu and by chance was very
lucky to run into his next teacher Tuhon Chris Sayoc of the Sayoc Fighting
system of Kali/Arnis.
Allie soon became a student and ended up training for many years as a direct
student. Eventually he was handed the keys to the school and told it was his
reward after many years of dedicated training. Allie decided after teaching for
two years, running the school and owning a business all while going to high
school and pursuing a career in the music industry, he wanted to go back to
being a student and decided to close the school.
His thirst for martial arts education didn�t stop there, he continued going to
martial arts tournaments competing as well as watching. He was enamored by one
individual who seemed to perform the martial arts exactly as Allie wanted. His
name was Shihan Felix Vazquez. As destiny played its part, Allie was driving in
his truck during work hours and saw a school in Deer Park Long Island, with a
grand opening sign in the front window. Allie stopped in and met his soon to be
good friend Shihan Robert Hernandez. The connection was interesting, Robert
Hernandez was Shihan Vazquez�s top student, it seemed that Karma played its
part. Allie began training, but soon after Shihan Robert closed the school due
to the travel schedule, commuting from Queens 5 days per week, being a parent
and working full time. Allie was encouraged by Shihan Hernandez to continue
training and he gained a personal invitation and started to travel to Ridgewood,
Queens 6 days per week to train directly under the master instructor at the
headquarters of the Circle of One system. Allie along with a few others
continued to reach the highest ranking ever bestowed by Shihan Vazquez�s
students and the title of Renshi Master Instructor and the rank of 4th degree
Black Belt. There are only a handful of students at that rank to this day.
During his training with Shihan Vazquez who is now known as Soke Vazquez, Allie
had traveled the world competing on Shihan�s International Ninjutsu Demo team.
Allie became a champion in the tournament circuit for many years attaining Grand
Championship Titles and hundreds of first place wins in Self Defense, Weapons,
and Fighting. At some point Shihan Vazquez, and some of his top students were
invited to a seminar which would be a defining moment for Allie. Allie was to
meet the Japanese Grandmaster by the name of Shoto Tanemura for the first time.
Allie was amazed at Tanemura Soke�s technique and made a decision to train with
him. He asked permission from Soke Vazquez and started traveling to Japan.
Unfortunately, Shihan Vazquez closed his school
and took a hiatus due to health reasons. During the time period from around 1992
� 2005 Kyoshi Allie traveled to Japan 17 times having lived there from anywhere
from 12-30 days at a time. He trained with the Grandmaster personally also
traveling the world to Tai Kai�s (world gatherings) in places such as Japan,
England, Italy, Milwaukee, and Maine. Allie along with John Olshlager, hosted
Tanemura Soke for many years in N.Y. Allie became the 5th highest rank in
Genbukan in the United States with the title of Renshi and the head of Genbukan
in N.Y. considered a Dai Dojo Cho � the largest school in the organization at
that time.
The title
of Renshi is acquired through a special ceremony bestowed only on direct
students of Tanemura Soke and quoted �this is for people whom he can trust with
a pure heart.� Tanemura Soke many times said Allie was like a son to him, with a
knowledge and spiritual ability far beyond his years. Allie tested for Renshi in
front of 250 students in Colorado, where he sat in seiza (kneeling - sitting
position) with Tanemura Soke in front of him with a bokken, with no advance
notice Soke Tanemura would swing at lighting fast speed at the students top of
his head. Allie evaded the strike on the first try. �I thought everything was
odd, I sat in front of Soke and my heart was beating unusually fast, I slowly
controlled my breath and eventually could feel Soke�s heart beat, we were in
sync and then he cut. It felt as if everything was in slow motion. I then
rolled, he smiled and I passed the test. Later on, I asked Soke if he felt the
same connection and he smiled and said yes, we are connected, spiritually.�
Allie has told this story to many of his students. Later on Allie asked his top
student Frank Olmeda who was there if the cut was in slow motion, still not
believing he had experienced Mushin � Frank Olmeda replied �it was lightning
fast, I didn�t even see it.�
After many years of martial arts training Allie
Alberigo made the decision to share his knowledge with the public once again
opening his first school. Having trained in martial arts since 1968, becoming
one of Shihan Vazquez's top students and traveling to Japan becoming one of the
highest ranks in the United states and a handful of Renshi�s in the entire world
in Genbukan Ninpo and Kokusai Ju Jutsu. He continued his quest for martial arts
perfection. In 1991 he opened the first L.I. Ninjutsu Center, the "Hanata Dojo"
on Higbie Lane in West Islip, N.Y.
At that time the school was just plainly called
the L.I. Ninjutsu dojo of Self Defense and was a school primarily teaching
�Circle of One System� from Shihan Vazquez with a blend of Allie�s experiences.
The School was a small 700 sq. foot school. The school grew rapidly, and after
one year relocated to its present location at 235 Union Boulevard. The school
prides itself on being one of the largest facilities for martial arts
instruction on Long Island and in New York as well as one of the few schools
that teaches traditional Ninjutsu also known as Ninpo and Classical Ju Jutsu.
The 6700 square foot building has two separate training floors and a full
shuriken and archery range. Also on premises is a complete martial arts
equipment and supply showroom called "A
Touch of Zen" (www.ATouchofZen.com) and a private parking lot.
After a visit to the school and a personal blessing the Grandmaster
granted a Japanese name of "Hanata" meaning flower garden for its large training
facility and beautiful interior design. Kyoshi continued this tradition with all
of his schools giving them a spiritual name based on personal meditation and
feeling.
There are many rumors within the internet
community and other Genbukan members as to why Allie Alberigo is no longer
affiliated with his Japanese teacher. To honestly and truthfully put an end to
rumors, Since 2007 Allie Alberigo had decided to take a different path. Allie
decided to concentrate solely on his students, and the growth of L.I. Ninjutsu
centers. There are many Kans (family lines) Genbukan, Jeninkan, Bujinkan etc.
Without adding to the negativity and rhetoric of people who are ignorant to the
truths Kyoshi Allie decided to separate from the political mess and stand on is
own spreading his 4 decades of martial arts experience.
His goal is to have the largest individual Ninjutsu School on the planet. Some
may immediately have comments and say this is due to greed, or monetary goals,
looking for a way to publically discredit, but this is entirely not true. The
goals are to continue to teach and spread the virtues of the martial arts as
well as spiritual training. The real lesson is summed up in this one statement
by Allie Alberigo,
�After all these years, I want to stand on my own two feet and develop a legacy,
just like the masters of the past. Unfortunately as most martial arts teachers
who are the head of their system, they will take heat from negative people. I
want my track record to speak for itself.
Also, it seemed I reached a time that I wanted to take my 4 decades of training
and experience and put together a system of Ninjutsu/Ninpoand Ju Jutsu that I
felt was applicable to the 21st Century. I don�t only teach martial arts but
also life-skills. Our approach at L.I. Ninjutsu Centers is a combination of old
virtues with new technology. My success record with students stands above the
rest. I have hundreds of Black Belts who have gone on to unbelievable heights,
such as Police Officers, sheriff's, Secret Service, C.I.A., F.B.I., Doctors,
Lawyers, Heads of corporations etc.
A good majority of my Black Belts have been training in our schools for as long
as 18 years, and the average around 7-10. If even some of my teachings have
helped them achieve the successes in life they are experiencing then I am
honored and have done my job.
In closing, there are many people out there that love to say negative things
about everyone. There is a saying that people who spend more time talking about
you, is due to their lack of confidence and ability in themselves. If they feel
the need to focus on me, my schools and what I am doing rather than perfecting
themselves, then they are truly missing the point!
I ask that you come to my school and experience what we have developed
curriculum, atmosphere, brotherhood, family and intensity over the last 18 years
and counting and decide for yourself. If it is not right for you, then you can
move on, if it is, then welcome to our family!�