Yojo Shiketsu

A Ninja Master's "Suggestions For Power"

by Shihan-Shidoshi Jeffrey M. Miller

According to Toshitsugu Takamatsu Sensei, the 33rd Grandmaster of the Togakure Ryu Ninja Tradition and eight other schools of traditional Japanese martial arts, there are four main points of which to be mindful for the preservation and maintenance of one's health. This article provides a commentary on these four points and some thoughts on each for your own life and training.

Often, the simplicity of Takamatsu-sensei's lesson, as with any true master's, are lost on many Western students. Add to this the fact that, buried within a simple statement is the implication that your teacher should help you to understand the significance of each lesson, and you can see why many of the secrets of ancient masters are still just that... secret.

In this article, I'll try to convey the ideas within Takamatsu-sensei's Yojo Shiketsu "4 Suggestions for Power" in a way that's easy to understand. You should still try, however, to look at each lesson and its commentary and develop the idea even more deeply for yourself.

Remember: these lessons were passed down from a true master who understood more than merely punching, kicking, blocking, and other tricky martial arts moves. These lessons are from someone who spent his entire life understanding what it meant to be truly strong, capable, and compassionate - the traits of a true master warrior - not just a martial artist. And, they were meant for students who wanted to become true master warriors themselves.

The 4 Suggestions For Power

1. Remove anger to preserve your personality.

A great deal of effort is required to develop the ability to be patient instead of becoming angry when negative or undesirable things happen. It's important to create and foster humility in one's personality to avoid the unhealthy affects that result from stress. It's been said that we are what we think about most. If this is true then we must guard against the negative effects of others, of our environment, and of the emotional wanderings of our own heart.

2. Remove excessive thoughts to preserve one's nerves.

Avoid spending too much time thinking about trivial matters. Doing so will only cause you to become scattered and unable to focus on your goals. If you spend all of your time chasing after and thinking about those things that mean very little in the scheme of your life, you will have little time left to reflect on and make decisions about those things that really matter. Take time to cultivate the ability to calm and quiet the mind in order to develop the focus necessary to see clearly.

3. Remove excessive talk to preserve one's spirit.

The ninja have always been known for their ability to gather information; not give it! Avoid excess chatter for the sake of having 'something' to say. Save your energy for when it's really needed and avoid squandering it on idle and unnecessary speech or conversation. Develop the ability to listen in order to avoid being trapped within the delusional thoughts of others or committing yourself to unsound plans.

4. Remove desire to preserve the heart.

The teachings within the Buddhist mind-science liken the activities of the untrained mind to that of a tree-full of chattering monkeys. It is constantly in a search and passionate exploration of frivolous wants and desires. "l want this; I want that; I want to be rich; I don't want to be poor; I want people to notice me; I don't want to be lonely; etc.," goes the mind's almost non-stop chatter. Of course all desires are not wrong, but let us temper our desires with compassion for others and seek for ourselves that which will benefit everyone.

I hope that my students, both local and those living away from my dojo, will make every effort to live up to these four point in their daily lives. Takamatsu-sensei said that these 4 points are very difficult to accomplish, but with time, patience and practice, you will get positive results from your efforts.

Don't forget to get your copy of the re-edited and expanded "Takagi-Yoshin Ryu Shoden no Maki dvd set! The Takagi-Yoshin Ryu is one of the 9 lineages within our Ninja training and was originally used as a bodyguard school! Here's the link to get yours: www.warrior-concepts-online.com/takagi-yoshin-ryu-dvd.html

Jeffrey Miller is the founder and master instructor of Warrior Concepts International. A senior teacher in the Japanese warrior art of Ninjutsu, and a former federal police officer, undercover agent, private investigator, and bodyguard, he specializes in teaching the ancient ways of self-protection and personal development lessons in a way that is easily understood and put to use by modern Western students and corporate clients. Through his powerful programs, you will learn proven, time-tested lessons designed to help you create the life you've always dreamed of living, and the skills necessary for protecting that life from anything that might threaten it.

To learn more about real-world self-defense training and other subjects related to the martial arts, self-defense, personal development & self-improvement, visit his website at http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com For more free tips, strategies, and lessons for making yourself more safe in this often unsafe world, don't forget to subscribe to his powerful and informative online newsletter.

Real Street Fighting and Modern Street Self Defense Tips From the Art of Ninjutsu


It's true. There was a time when I was discouraged with what was being offered as traditional martial arts masquerading as effective systems of self defense for today's world. I saw a huge difference between what we practiced in class and used in the tournament ring, and what was really needed for surviving a street fighting self defense situation.

Do you know what I mean?

But, here's something that I found out. Not all martial arts were created equal. More to the point, most of the conventional systems of martial arts training that we see today, were modified and radically changed from their original combat forms. Fortunately for us, the art of Ninjutsu, a counter-culture to the ruling Samurai, never made the change.

What that means for those of us looking for effective and, more importantly - proven - self defense tips, is that what is being taught today is the same thing that was being used by people who had to save their lives from attacks practically every day. It means that what we're learning and putting to use in our modern street self defense situations worked again and again. And...

Anything that was tried by an ancient warrior that didn't work - we don't know about. Why? Because it died with him!

Here are 3 powerful self defense tips right from the Ninja's art of Ninjutsu that I seriously recommend adding to your self defense skills. They are not step-by-step techniques but rather concepts that will make any technique better, and they will make techniques that are already good - more powerful and effective than you can imagine!

1. Nagare - "Flow": This is the relaxed natural transition of one movement into another without the jerky, start-stop, robotic action of karate-kata. You naturally slip your attacker's attempted punch, grab, or kick, and then, without stopping, respond with a counter attack of your own.

2. Ritsudo - "Rhythm" or "Timing": The ability to move, defend, or attack at just the right moment that makes both your attack a surprise and impossible for your assailant to defend against!

3. Kotsu - "Essence": The technique behind the physical movements. The idea or strategy that we're applying. Instead of "counter-striking his attacking arm," the Ninja sees this as "neutralizing the force of his attack." This way, it's not "how" we're doing what we're doing, but "what" we're doing to him - and "why."

If you're looking for powerful self defense tips that are effective, time-tested, and proven, then I recommend that you explore the world of Ninjutsu and the Ninja's ability to adapt to, and deal with, modern street fighting self defense attacks.

Do you want to know how I do it? You can learn more about defending yourself using the principles of Ninjutsu in this powerful course called, "Foundations of Self-Defense Mastery."

Self Defense Tips

And don't forget to get your free Ninja training dvd: "Ninja Camp 2004". Get your free course and ninja camp dvd and learn how to really protect yourself - Ninja-style! http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com