Suggestions for Laying the Best Foundation for Your Ninjutsu Martial Arts Training

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

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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?

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The Unseen Value of Martial Arts Training - A Lesson From Ben Franklin

During one of my recent trips to Japan for training with Bujinkan Grandmaster, Masaaki Hatsumi, one of the themes he touched upon in class was in the value of our training. And, how much like a good investment, the longer we participated, the more value we received.

Ironically, most students who come in to the academy, as with most things in their life, are looking for "quick results." Or, more to the point, a "quick fix." They say they're looking for self-defense and the ability to protect themselves from the ever-growing threat of danger in our world. But, what they're really looking for is a greater feeling of confidence. And, once they start to feel like they can handle themselves, which is usually after learning a couple of techniques well...

...they quit!

Soke ("head-of-lineage") Hatsumi, my teacher and the grand master of the Bujinkan Dojo, reminded us that...

..."there is a huge difference between "feeling" like you can handle yourself, and the ability to actually do it."

He said that most students are not willing to put enough time, effort, or energy to really understand what it feels like to live a life where, not only are they able to deal with danger should it happen to them, but that they don't have to worry about attackers appearing at all!

It's amazing, but true. As I have climbed the ladder in both rank and skill, there is one thing that I've noticed above all else. And that is...

...the greater my skill, the less I've had to use it for self-protection!

As a 12th degree Black Belt, I can't tell you how long it's been since I've had to deal with the threat of someone wanting to do me harm. And this is not limited to a physical assault, but extends into every area of my life.

I can hear many ask, "Why bother training at all, if you never have to use your skills for self-defense anyway?"

"Why bother at all? Why not just take your chances?"

While these questions sound logical, they are asked from the viewpoint of convenience. And, as we all know, what sounds good in theory, is often the furthest thing from reality.


The reason we train is twofold:

First, we train to realize that ideal life where we won't have to worry about danger because, even if it did occur, we knew we could handle it. And,...

Second, we're not there yet and may need to protect ourselves along the way to attaining our goal!

Benjamin Franklin, one of the acknowledged Founding Fathers of this great nation, once said, "They that are on their guard and appear ready to receive their adversaries, are in much less danger of being attacked than the supine, secure and negligent."

The truth is, the longer we train and the better we develop our skills, the safer we will be. This is true both of our self-defense techniques as well as our personal development skills.

In fact, I believe that it is precisely those traits and qualities that the martial arts have helped me to nurture, grow, and develop - traits like confidence, discipline, respect, commitment, and a host of others - that actually act as my shield against most attackers. It is these more than any physical skill that communicates to others that I am a confident, powerful person in control of his world, that determines who will want to connect with me, and for what reason.

Why learn the often-violent methods associated with the martial arts then, if all I had to do was to develop those inner qualities that keep me safe? Again, same reason as I mentioned before...
...until I do, I am at-risk from those forces that would seek to harm me.

Ironic, isn't it?

We come to self-defense training to be ready and able to protect ourselves from harm and, at the same time, are preparing ourselves for a day when few would ever want to. Because it is precisely our ability to handle ourselves, that creates the end result. Not the other way around.

Be careful. Only looking at the obvious parts of training will cause you to miss the big picture and the unseen value that it holds for you, and the rest of your Life!

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Also...

You can now subscribe to my new podcast radio show called "KUDEN". You can read more about it and the upcoming web-based seminars that I'll be offering by scrolling down a bit to the prior post with that information. Please note that, due to technical difficulties, the release dates had to be changed from what's listed in the original announcement. I just recorded the first show and it goes live on Wednesday, August 20th, 2008!

Other no-cost training resources:

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It's a 7-part ecourse called, Foundations of Self-Defense Mastery" and it's my gift to you for becoming a member of WCI's growing group of online students and teachers. At this point, we have over 6,000 members and growing!

The newsletter itself is a fantastic way to keep informed and add to your knowledge and training database about topics like learning self-defense, online ninja training, women's self-defense, and even tips for parents on child safety. Add to that, this free course and the other books, videos, and live training programs offered through WCI, and you've got a one-stop place for all your self-defense, martial arts, and Ninja Training needs!

Alright. Enough of telling you why you're crazy if you haven't subscribed. Here's the link to get the newsletter and the free ecourse: Learn Self-Defense!


Until next time.

Peace, Happiness, and Success!

Shidoshi Miller