Suggestions for Approaching Your Ninjutsu Training the Right Way

Bujinkan Shidoshi Jeffrey M. Miller

In this post I will be discussing some very important areas of study. These areas should form the foundation of your training. That way, your progress and the skills you develop will be strong, balanced, and ready for the ultimate test – having to defend yourself against a real-world attacker!

Aside from the lists of “ninja” techniques, tactics, and strategies contained in the scrolls or curriculum that you will be introduced to long the way, a true practitioner of ninjutsu must also be proficient with the common skills learned by those studying the more conventional martial arts like karate, tae kwon do, aikido, kung-fu, etc. As you can see, if you're going to master the self-defense system of the Ninja, you have a little more to work on than most students of the martial arts.

Regardless of whether your a beginner or advanced student, the Advanced Sanshin / Kihon Happo Home Study Course - a 12 dvd video training program - will teach you more about these important training models than most black belts have ever learned! Ninjutsu Training

But, if you're serious about your training, you won't let this scare you. Because, one of the unique things about real ninjutsu training – the kind of training that goes beyond mere body movement and unarmed self-defense training – is that you learn both viewpoints – the conventional and the Ninja's unconventional approach – at the same time!

To ultimately master something, especially something as complex and all-encompassing as the art of ninjutsu, you must lay a proper foundation. Just like building a house, if the foundation is weak, or you just throw a bunch of sticks and other parts together...

… you will find that, when a good wind comes along, that your house comes tumbling down.

And, in the context of self-protection, that wind will be in the form of a real attack – an attack coming from someone who wants to harm you or your loved ones. And, unless you want to just get by with a false sense of confidence, or you only care about how cool you look to others when you're training, the last thing you want to happen is for all of your knowledge, training, and skills to fail you because they were wrong.

If you want to master the art of ninjutsu, also known as Ninpo in it's higher, philosophical and life mastery form, then you must focus on getting your training regimen structured so that you can progress and grow in the right direction. Here are a few of the beginning steps toward mastery in Ninjutsu:

First, you need to understand the make-up of the art and the principles and concepts upon which it is based. After all, there are only so many things that you can do with, and to, a human body. And, you can find all of those things throughout the martial arts and fighting world. But, you must be able to answer the question:

“What is it that makes Ninjutsu different from all the rest?"

Next, you need to have a mentor, or several of them – people who really understand the art and it's practice – so that you don't fall into the trap of just throwing a bunch of things together and calling it Ninjutsu. Your teacher will show you how to apply the many techniques, tactics, strategies, and skills contained within the system.

He or she will also introduce you to the weapons and tools that will allow you to be more effective than you could be with unarmed skills alone.

And, finally, you must be clear about where you are, and what you should be focusing on at each level as you progress. The idea with Ninjutsu training is that you should be living and training “intentionally” rather than just being 'spoon-fed' by your teacher.

Ultimately, you and you alone are responsible for your own training and progress. Your teacher and fellow senior students can only guide you and provide you with pieces of the puzzle.

If this article was helpful and you want to learn more about what it takes to progress toward warrior mastery in the martial, self-defense, and life mastery system of ninjutsu, then I suggest that you check out this ebook that I'm giving away: http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/becoming-the-master-subsc.html

Or if you are looking for a home study program to help you with your ninjutsu training, then check out this ninjutsu home study course: Sanshin Kihon Happo

I look forward to training with you very soon.

NINPO-IKKAN!

Shidoshi Jeffrey M. Miller SPS, DTI
Founder and Director Warrior Concepts Int'l, Inc.
Bujinkan Moki no Tora Dojo
362 Market Street
Sunbury, Pa. 17801  USA

Master-teacher
Bujinkan Dojo Internationa
http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com

Are You Looking For The Secrets To Unlocking The Power of Ninpo-Taijutsu - the Ninja's Self-Protection method?

Advanced
Sanshin no Kata
& Kihon Happo

Video-Based
Ninjutsu Home Study &
Online Ninja Training Course

Are you looking for a solid foundation in the armed and unarmed, self defense methods of the Ninja?

Do you want to become a master of the art of Ninjutsu?

Have you tried learning from books and videos but still couldn't get the full benefit of the lessons?

Are you already a student of the art looking to take your training to the next level?

If so...

Do you think you know the Sanshin no Kata & Kihon Happo, the so-called "basic training models" of Budo and Ninpo-taijutsu?

Think again!

Because, regardless of whether you've been training in this art for years, or you're looking for a place to start - there are correct lessons, strategies, and skills which make up what are known as the "basics" - skills which have absolutely nothing to do with the forms - but make the forms EXACTLY what they are!

Let me ask you something critically important?

Read the rest here...

Footwork Options For Controlling a Fight

You'll often hear that, in an attack situation, a ninja is always ready with the right technique to use against his opponent. But, with everything that could come at you - with all of the possible attacks - how is this possible?

Unlike many conventional martial arts that use predetermined kata, or forms, ninjutsu is based on principles and concepts - not preset techniques. Instead of memorizing formal strings of moves, a ninja student learns strategies and tactics that do specific things to the assailant.

Every new student is introduced to 4 basic footwork methods or postions - each designed to deal with certain types of attacks. Each footwork method used by the ninja is learned, not because "it's part of the art," but because it multiplies the overall number of options that the shadow warrior has for use in his or her defense.

The four footwork methods basic to the Ninja's ninpo-taijutsu, unarmed "body art" covers strategies for:

1) Holding your ground. Rather than relying on conventional strength from larger muscle - something easily countered by larger, stronger attackers - we can use natural, skeletal positioning and up-down sinking movements centered in the hips, thighs, and seat.

2) Defensive angling and back-peddling. When overwhelmed by a larger, stronger, or more skilled attacker, we can use the principle of "strategic angling" to avoid his strikes and create openings in our attacker's defenses while insuring that our own targets are covered and protected. This footwork method pulls us back and away from the attack at a 45 degree angle to take advantage of distance as well as creating the necessary time to deal with the opponent's advances.

3) Direct, committed advancing. Against a non-committed attacker, or a street fighter who uses a "wind-up" type of attack, you can seize the opportunity to charge into your oppoenent's space. This "intercepting" concept brings the fight to your assailant - who is forced to go on the defensive in order to protect himself from your counter-attacking techniques.

4) Slippery, evasive flanking. Here, a trained ninja uses last-second, erratic timing to avoid the attacker's attempts to get at us, or he or she can use pivoting shifts to clear an attacker's power line. This footwork is difficult to explain as the ninja simultaneously avoids the opponent's advances, parries or redirects the attacker's energy, and counter-attacks with trapping strikes that catch the attacker off-guard.

As you can see, as ninja we do not think using the same typical, 2-dimensional perspective used by most martial artists & fighters. Instead of limiting our reliance on front-back, or side-side movement, we can rely on a set of options that work well against different types of attack scenarios.

This way, and not through some sense of ESP or mind-reading, the shadow warrior is prepared for whatever might be thrown his or her way. Then, after observing the attacker's movements and reading his body language cues, we match the assailant with the right set of principles that are already designed to control and beat his techniques.

Are you looking for real ninja training? Do you want to know how I do it? Download the free Ninja Training ebook called, "Being The Master," right now and learn what it takes to be a master warrior in the art of ninjutsu - the art of Japan's ancient Ninja warriors.

Also...

Get more information for taking your training to the next level. Click on the link topics that interest you:

Becoming A Warrior

Takagi-Yoshin Ryu Jutaijutsu (Shoden no Maki) Training

Ninja Camps

Ninja Training DVDs

Shuriken (Throwing Star)

Uchi-Deshi ("Live-in Student") Program

Hosting a seminar in your area

Shihan/Shidoshi Jeffrey Miller is a senior master-teacher in the art and practice of ninjutsu - the art of the ninja. He has spent almost three decades teaching literally thousands of people how to use the power of the ninja's lifestyle and self-protection lessons to empower their lives in today's modern world.

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

Question: "What is the Ninja no Hachimon?"

There have been lessons, techniques, and even descriptions of strategies, tactics, and the like passed down to us over the centuries, telling what is and is not a ninja, or part of the ancient Japanese art of Ninjutsu - the art of the Ninja. Many people cling to these descriptions as though they were gospel when, upon closer inspection, and with a deeper understanding of things like history, progress, and the mindset that we are trying to develop, we can come to see these things for what they really are.

One such description, or outline, supposedly sets out the required studies of a true ninja. This outline was, and in some circles still is, used to determine whether or not a lineage, clan, or person was practicing ninjutsu - whether they were ninja - or not.

This classification system is called the Ninja no Hachimon, or the "8 Gates of the Ninja."

The ninja no hachimon was a simplified listing of the core practice, study, and mastery subjects required if you wanted to be a ninja. These 8 "gates" or studies, were:

1) Ninja no Kiai (The ninja's use of sound to "harmonize with universal energy)

2) Ninja no Taijutsu (The ninja's unarmed self-defense method or "body-art")

3) Ninja no Kempo (The study of sword techniques and strategies)

4) Ninja no Soojutsu (pronounced 'sew-joot-sue' - Spear methods)

5) Ninja no Shuriken (Hand-held and thrown blades)

6) Ninja no Kajutsu (Use of fire)

7) Ninja no Ugei (The art of deception and disguises)

8) Ninja no Kyomon (The study of religion, philosophy and the sciences - those things that make us knowledgeable, well-rounded individuals and more than merely thugs and assassins in black clothing)

While I may be bordering on heresy when I say that this classification is not all that appears to be. There is much more to it than merely a list of "things to study" if you want to be called a ninja. Does this mean that you shouldn't study these things?

No. That's not what I'm saying at all. However, what we need to see is that this list was grouped and employed during a very specific time in history, by a specific group of people, in a certain type of culture, etc., etc., etc. We must also remember that there were also classification systems that existed that also were supposed to outline and determine what a ninja was and what he or she studied to be who and what they were.

Systems like:

• Ninja Juhakkei (The 18 levels of the ninja - actually there were 36 levels!)
  
  
• As-well-as the systems outlined in such treatise as the Bansenshukai, the Shoninki, and others.

This is important to understand. Not just about the ninja no hachimon, but about everything we do and learn in our training - EVERYTHING!

In fact, this is such an important subject that I am dedicating the next several months of training to this topic. It will be the foundation for a special 10-week teleseminar course that I'll be offering very soon, and these skills will form the curriculum for this year's Spring Ninja Training Camp, May 15th-17th, 2009.

If you'd like more information about the Ninja no Hachimon and how it is used in the Warrior Concepts' curriculum and advanced mastery training, listen to episode #6 of Kuden: Ninja and self-defense training podcast. Here's the link: http://kuden.mypodcast.com

Here are the links to the other areas of interest I spoke about:

WCI's Yearly Ninja Camps - http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/ninja-camps.html

10-week Online Ninja Training Program on the Ninja no Hachimon:
http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/8-ninjagates.html



Until Next Time.

To Your Achievement of Mastery!





Shidoshi Miller