The Demko Experience...Top Notch!

Well, I just got back from dropping off Andy Demko, 7th Dan, Shihan and his son Andrew, 4th Dan, Fukushidoin at the aiport.  I was honored and pleased to host them at my house and along with our Chief Instructor, Dennis Main, 5th Dan, Shidoin at our dojo this past weekend.  As usual, the instruction was top notch and you can clearly see from that the apple does not fall far from the tree.  Friday night class commenced with Andrew Demko, 4th Dan, Fukushidoin, I had the opportunity to take a few falls for Andrew and his technique is as strong as his statue. 

When I started, Andrew was just promoted to Nidan and I was able to train with him at seminars over the past decade but only had one other time to take his class and I was very impressed.  He has a very diverse martial arts background, including Aikido, Judo, Kendo, and Jyu Jitsu and he has a teaching style that really resonates with me.  Demko Shihan taught the 2nd class and it was just like I was at Winter Camp or Summer Camp.  Power, Position and Posture...Most people know Demko Shihan as this tall, powerful high ranking Aikido teacher and all of that is true but as the weekend went on and I spent hours of time with him in my office, the hot tub, starbucks etc, there is much more to learn from him than just Aikido.  He is a very knowledgable, fascinating person who not only has achieved a very high level of success in his life, business and Aikido, but he still has a "Beginner's Mentality" when it comes to continued learning about anything. 

He picked my brain a lot about my media background, websites, etc.  Needless to say, I was very honored to be able to colloborate with him on a new HD Video: The Demko Shihan Film Documentary which will be produced very soon.  Finally, I want to thank all of students for a successful seminar, maintaining the dojo and coming together as a community to host the Demkos.  We received a lot of positive feedback from our visitors from out of town, Atlanta, Hillsborough, Greensboro, etc that they would love to see Demko Shihan come back along with his son Andrew.  I also want to thank our Chief Instructor Dennis Main for introducing me to Demko Shihan and his son Andrew who are not only Aikido mentors to me but have become very close friends.