KDRJA
(Kodenkan Danzan Ryu Jujitsu Association)
offers clinic with Prof. Tony Janovich
The KDRJA offered a clinic this past weekend with Prof. Tony Janovich, 8th Dan. The KDRJA is a Danzan Ryu organization based in Pennsylvania with dojos in several east coast cities. The clinic was hosted by Prof. Doug Kiehl, doctor of Accupunture, Jujitsu instructor and a founding member of KDRJA, whose founders also include Prof. Sig Kufferath (1911-1999) and Prof. Ramon Ancho, Jr. Prof. Janovich taught several classes including Shime, Oku, Yawara, Kappo and a black belt class on Shin Yo no Maki.
On Sunday the seminar participants went to the Doubling Gap Center, a site on 150 acres of natural forest. The main building is a beautiful, very old, very large hotel. This hotel was used during the Civil war as a retreat for Union officers. The KDRJA has in the past used the center to hold yearly Danzan Ryu retreats, usually held in October/November time frame. The organization is again going to start that tradition in 2001.
This weekend participants were introduced to Prof. Okazaki's water treatment, where a high pressure water hose is used on the person hitting the meridians and healing points of the body. First introduced to the Danzan Ryu retreats by Prof. Sig Kufferath and Prof. Tony Janovich many years ago. Also one student took their test for Shodan (1st degree black belt) before Prof. Janovich and 2 KDRJA black belt instructors and passed.
The front walkway leading to the old Civil War hotel
Participants of Prof. Janovich's (standing center) Yawara class
A brown belt only class taught by Prof. Janovich (black Pants)
Prof. Janovich's Kappo class
Shin Yo class taught by Prof. Janovich (black gi)
Prof. Janovich shows a defense from a grab to the sleeve
Prof. Janovich applies the technique to opponent
The main part of the clinics were held at the herbal medicine, Acupuncture & Restoration Therapy clinic of Dr. Kiehl. The front of the building is an herb shop while the center houses the Accupunture and Restoration Therapy clinic and in the back is the Jujitsu dojo.
The clinic was a great success and the KDRJA is planning on re-starting the Doubling Gap retreats this year. It is basically a camp, the old hotel houses campers in dormitory style rooms. They are provided with 3 meals a day, lodging, and all the martial art and restoration therapy classes they can handle, taught by the best instructors in the country. The Gap completed their new "Gymnatorium" in 1993. A huge state of the art gym including classroom space and approximately 10,000 square foot open floor with basketball courts, volleyball areas with space enough for numerous martial arts classes to run simultaneously.
The new "Gymnatorium" at the Doubling Gap Center
So make plans to attend the KDRJA retreat coming this year sometime in October or November, it will be a weekend to remember. For more information contact us at: