Celebrating a Milestone Offering Online Ninjutsu Training

Hi Everyone!

Normally, I don't get too excited about things in general and am not much of a "journal-keeper," especially here on the blog. However, I am very excited about reaching, what for me is, a major milestone in my goal of helping others to learn ninjutsu - the art and ways of Japan's Ninja families - online.

What's the milestone in this Ninja teacher's life? Glad you asked.

You see, for the past twenty years, I have been helping those in my local community to see and experience the value of this martial art of ninjutsu that I've been teaching. Having studied many of the most popular forms of martial arts throughout my life...

... arts like, karate, aikido, tae kwon do, jujitsu, and even Bruce Lee's art of jeet kune do for a short while.

In January of 2005, I took my knowledge to the net and to the worldwide community of people who are searching for this type of information. In so doing, I began to not only write fresh content, but to transfer many of the articles that I had written for my "in-house" students over the years onto both my web site and to article directories for others to use on their own sites and in their ezines.

One such site that I use quite heavily is http://www.ezinearticles.com

To date, I have 50 articles posted there that are free for anyone to download for personal use or to use within their own website and/or ezine.

So? What's the big deal?

Well, the deal, for me at least, is that those same fifty articles, ranging in topics from:

• Success Secrets from the Martial Art of Ninjutsu
  
  
• True Martial Arts and the Job of a Warrior

And...

• Ninjutsu - The Ninja's Mikkyo Mind-Science and the Magic of Asking "Why?"

... in the areas of personal protection to training-related articles, like...

• Is All This Martial Arts Training Gear Necessary?
  
  
• Ninjutsu Martial Arts Training - Don't Depend on Weapons for Self-Defense

...OVER 10,000 times!

That's right! Sometime on Monday, March 20th, 2006...

...these 50 articles were accessed, read, and many posted throughout the world wide web - OVER 10,000 times!

I don't know about you but, to me, that's just amazing!

And, that doesn't count the articles that were posted with other directory sites like http://www.articlecity.com

To read these and the many others that I've posted at ezinearticles.com, just click here. You can click here or on my name under any of the articles and be taken directly to the master list of all the articles (saves a ton of time on searching for them individually!). The other cool thing about ezinearticles is that, from the master list page, you can click on the RSS feed icon and add a feed to your site, etc that will send you any new articles I post almost immediately!

Anyway. Just had to get that off my chest.

What this all means for you, my loyal readers, is this...

...if you're not already doing so, take advantage of all the information available to you on the web - both mine and the works of others. Use it to increase your knowledge and awareness of what's available to you - good and bad.

If you aren't taking advantage of article directories, I highly suggest the wealth of information available. Especially when it comes to ninjutsu training online or martial arts training online in general, there is a whole world of information in the form of articles written by others with the knowledge you want.

As for me, I plan to continue to write and post more and more about ninjutsu and ninja training online at directories. In fact, I have a goal to have 250 articles online by mid-May, 2006. That means that I have 200 more to go!

I'll make it too because I have over twenty years worth of articles from materials written for my local students, just waiting to hit cyberspace. So...

...set up those rss feeds...

...check the article directories...

...subscribe to my newsletter

...and check the Warrior-Concepts-Online.com website for more online ninja training opportunities available to you.

Until next time...


Peace, Happiness, and Safety...


Jeffrey M. Miller, Shidoshi
Founder & Director
Warrior Concepts International
Self-Protection & Personal Development

Check out my latest book "The Karate-Myth" at http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/self-defense-karatemyth.html

and the re-release of the most important safety video you could ever own, "Danger Prevention Tactics" at http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/self-defense-video-dpt1.html

"Real Training for Real People in a Real World!"

Key Moments & Phases in a Self-Defense Situation

How to Go From One Strategic Phase to the Next in a Self-Defense Situation - From Attack to Victory

(An excerpt from the book, "Controlling the Fight: The 5 Keys of Effective Self-Defense Strategy")


You know, when I first started learning how to protect myself, the training was almost entirely focused on the memorization and performance of the technique. What I mean is...

...the lessons revolved around the step-by-step mindset. Even testing was centered around the correct "performance" of the technique in question. But, that performance was tied more to duplicating a string of "moves" than it was on...

...the successful resolution of the situation based on what was going on!

I remember a friend of mine during those days. He was very good at the art that we were studying and much further along than I was at the time.

He was testing for his black belt and everything was going well. His "performance" was flawless - at least as far as I could tell.

Then, during the last part of the final kata ('preset fight scenario'), he changed the move from a strike to a shoulder throw. The throw was awesome and his partner never saw it coming. It was great!

He told me later that, everything was going along as it should be and he knew what was to come next but...

...something was "off" with what his partner was doing with that last punch.

He literally "found himself" executing the throw, and remembered thinking, "this isn't right."

Well, long story short...

...he failed that test.

I couldn't believe it. According to the judges - the panel of "experts" who were supposedly teaching him to be able to "go with the flow" and defend himself...

...He failed!

I didn't get it. I was in martial arts for self-defense, having been growing up in the inner-city and being beaten up - or threatened with harm - almost weekly. I mean...

• He took a surprise situation,
  
  
• adapted to it,
  
  
• and still maintained control of the flow of things...
  
  ...in a way that ended with him being the victor.

What more could you ask for?!

"Yes", said the judges, many of whom were our instructors, "that's true. But he didn't do the technique correctly."

Martial Arts vs. Self-Defense Training

This was one of the most significant moments of my life. When I realized that, the reason I was there for training - to not die in a violent situation - was not the focus of the training...

...at least NOT at that school.

My friend's story also points to another pivotal point in my learning process when I realized that there was something more going on than just the punching, kicking, and whatnot, that makes up conventional martial arts and self-defense training. In fact, once I saw it happening, my mind shifted away from the typical orientation toward this "style" or that, and started looking beyond the techniques themselves to...

...what was being "done" by each move in a technique string.

The question I began to ask was...

"What's the logic behind the moves?" And, ...

"Why are the moves where they are in this particular string?"

And THAT is what this book is about. The keys, or bridges, between one phase - one strategic moment - in a self-defense situation, and another. The pieces of the fight that must be strategically managed in the correct order, and at the correct time, if you are to be successful.

What are these critical moments within the flow of the fight? Let me first tell you what they're NOT.

They are not...

...when you're fist makes contact with the surface of your assailant's body...

...when you lock his joints to immobilize him and prevent him from continuing to fight...

...when you take up your "way-cool" stance...

...the way with which you've been taught to hold your weapon, or...

...a hundred other "things" that most books, videos, and schools of martial arts and self-defense focus almost exclusively on.

But, they are not NOT these things either. And, if you don't understand what I'm trying to point out here, you won't see it.

Confused? Don't be.

The point here is that, behind the move or technique itself - the punch, lock, throw, etc...

...there is a "reason" that THAT particular technique is being done at THAT particular time. There is something that the technique is either doing 'for' us or 'to' our attacker that gains, maintains, or accentuates our control of the situation. In short...

...there is something that makes a particular technique RIGHT and APPROPRIATE for any given moment.

And, make no mistake here. We are talking about a scientific application of principles that work, and have worked for centuries. And, this science works...

...for whoever is knowledgeable of and in control of it in the fight!

What that means is this...

...if you know how to use this scientific application and make it the logic behind your strategic use of your skills and techniques, then you will probably win. If you don't and your assailant does, you will lose.

So again, what are these key moments or critical phases? They are...

• 1) Your ability to assess your situation and understand what the assailant is doing or attempting to do to you.
  
  
• 2) Your defense against his incoming attacks. This is your ability to neutralize the effect that his attacks were to have on you.
  
  
• 3) How you unbalance him, physically, mentall, or emotionally, in a way that prevents your assailant from going on with his own strategy and literally puts him in a position of weakness.
  
  
• 4) The actual counter-attack that you use to knock him back or take him to the ground. This is the phase where you actually take the fight to him.
  
  
• 5) Your ability to assess the effect that your technique has had on your assailant and what your next move (escape, restrain him, or prepare for another barrage of attacks) should be.

In my attempt to learn how to really be successful at defending myself and others, I was lucky enough to find some teachers who could point the way towards many of these answers. Unfortunately (or fortunately, as this caused me to have to really look), we're not talking about the step-by-step mechanics of the "style" here, as these can be taught by practically anyone to almost anyone else. What we ARE talking about is something that cannot be seen unless you know what you're looking for. It's invisible to the naked eye but there nonetheless.

Just know this. Each of these critical moments - these keys - is an important, no crucial, element in any overall defense strategy. But, where the book "The Karate-Myth" focused on the big-picture defense strategy that lead from General Awareness to Actually having to Deal with the Attacker (remember?), what I'm talking about here is the little-picture strategy of phase 6 - "dealing with the attack."

To read more this subject, read "Controlling the Fight". It's fr.ee as an added bonus to my latest book, "The Karate-Myth: Why Most Martial Arts & Self-Defense Programs Are Wrong"

Here's the link for both: http://www.warrior-concepts-online.com/self-defense-karatemyth.html

Don't forget that you can also get additional information about:

Women's Self-Defense Issues

Self-Defense and Martial Arts Weapons

Learning Ninjutsu Online

And, don't forget that you can learn about these Key Moments & Phases in a Self-Defense Situation by training with me at this year's Spring Ninja Training Camp. The camp is scheduled from June 2nd - 4th, 2006 and includes all training, lodging, meals - even a commemorative camp T-shirt! Click here for more information and to book your place at this powerful training opportunity.

Stay up-to-date and informed about all aspects of self-defense, safety, and how to live with the Warrior Mindset in the 21st Century by subscribing to the fr.ee Warrior Concepts Online Newsletter while you're there.

Until next time...

Peace and Happiness,



Jeffrey M. Miller, Shidoshi
Founder & Director
Warrior Concepts International
Self-Protection & Personal Development
www.warrior-concepts-online.com

"Master Yourself - Master Your Life!"

Can You Really Learn Martial Arts and Self-Defense From Seminar Training Only?

What do you do when, you want to pursue the study of the martial arts or learn real-world self-defense and there are no schools near where you live? What do you do even if there are martial arts schools or self-defense classes being offered in your local area but...

...they're just not up to par with what you want or need.

How can you get what you know you need without compromising quality and settling for what's available or, even worse...

...not pursuing your goal at all?

Well, you have two choices, really...

...you can accept defeat or the fact that maybe your standards are too high and settle for what's available, or...

...you can do what scores of very skilled practitioners have done before you. You can take advantage of the benefits of seminars and camps to get the knowledge you need from the best teachers there are.

Instead of "settling" and approaching your training with what amounts to a "victim's mentality," you can take control of the situation. Instead of whining, complaining, and making excuses - you can take action - one of the main traits of a warrior.

With all of the power and rich information pool of the internet today, it is impossible to NOT find what you're looking for in the way of martial arts training. There are literally hundreds of seminars, from half-day workshops to full weekend events, and from one and two-day intensives to full-blown ninja training camps; and they're all there for the students who are willing to plan a little more, focus a little more, and be ready to travel a little farther than everyone else who HAS "settled."

Can you really learn martial arts and self-defense from seminar training only? I know it's worked for me and many of the most proficient experts that I'm associated with. In fact, most of my training career, at least in the early days, was during a time when I was serving with the US Army and stationed in places like Korea and, what was then, West Germany.

Were there martial arts clubs and groups close-by? Absolutely.

But, I had a desire to not only train in the martial arts but, to train with the best. And so...

...I had no choice. I HAD to travel to get what I wanted and needed in the way of quality.

What I found was that I learned more during each training event because there was MORE TO learn. That was perfect for me because it gave me more than enough to work on in-between the martial arts seminars and Ninja Camps that I WAS able to attend. And, it also caused me to focus much more than the local students who were there.

Why?

I think it was because...

...they took their training for granted. Whereas I did not. Since I went through more in the way of time, effort and money to be there, I refused to let any of it slip by. As a result, I, and many of my friends who also traveled for training, developed our self-defense abilities much more fully - learning our martial art with much greater depth than many who had access to their teacher practically everyday.

Funny, really. Because it wasn't until I became much more interested in the lives of warriors-past, that I realized that this method of training - traveling to one's teacher to spend short, but intense, visits to gain the lessons for mastery, is exactly the same way many of the most famous warriors in history...

...became Legends!

Check out what's new at Warrior Concepts, both locally and at warrior-concepts-online.com

I and my staff have been busy (too many "VERY" late nights) getting some new video DVDs and courses ready for everyone. Currently, we're working on getting one of our recent Ninja Camps to video as well as the footage from a weekend seminar I did on the techniques, strategies, and tactics of the Takagi-Yoshin-Ryu, one of the nine lineages taught in the Bujinkan Dojo system of my teacher, Soke Masaaki Hatsumi.

These powerful training resources will be ready to go in a few weeks. So, check back often at the site if this is something of interest to you.

Also, the following seminars and training opportunities are on the schedule over the next several weeks and months:

Defensive Combat Handgun The 4 Pillars of Mastery

This weekend intensive will be held on Saturday and Sunday, March 25th & 26th, 2006. The focus will be on...

• Basic handling and familiarization of handguns, and...
  
  
• Shooting Skills...

...From the perspective of a real-world self-defense situation - NOT "target shooting!"

You'll also learn the basics of...

• Disarming a weapon-wielding assailant, and...
  
  
• Weapon Retention and the ability to hold onto your own firearm

Click here or on the event name to get all the details.

And, DON'T FORGET...

The Annual WCI Spring Ninja Training Camp is just around the corner!

Scheduled for the weekend of May 19th - 21st, this year's camp theme is: "Becoming One with Nature." Click here or on the event name to get more information and to download the flyer for this year's WCI Spring Ninja Camp!

You'll also find that we've made it even easier to register for seminars and camps than ever before. With our new PayPal secure server link buttons, you'll be able to guarantee your place in an upcoming event before it gets sold-out.

Remember...

"You are either what you want to be, or what you have allowed yourself to become."

Until Next time...

Peace and Happiness,



Shidoshi Miller

What's New at WCI? Check it out and see!

Just a quick note for all of you die-hard fans out there to let you know what I've been up to over the past week or two.

In short...

...I have been giving the site www.warrior-concepts-online.com a major overhall.

These renovations will be a top-down upgrade from the homepage to the Ninja Camps page and all points in-between.

It will take me a few months to complete all the changes so, check back often to see how you will be getting even more from this awesome site!

And, don't forget...

You can also get information on-site about such topics as...

The The Best Self-Defense Video for Escaping Danger

My latest book, "The Karate-Myth" which explains Why Most Martial Arts and Self-Defense Courses Don't Work and How to Be Safe in Today's Often Violent World

And...

Information for Subscribing to the WCI Online Newsletter

We're even adding a dedicated FORUM for you to discuss important issues with others! Give me and my staff another week or two for this incredible addition to the site and register for a username and password of your own. I promise that you won't regret it!

So, come see the new site as it unfolds to be one of the best self-defense and Ninjutsu sites on the web!


Peace and Happiness,

Jeffrey M. Miller, Shidoshi
Warrior Concepts International

"Real Training for Real People in a Real World!"