The ninja art is legend is steeped in mystery

The ninja practiced an art that included every aspsect of their lives. The ninja studied human behavior, words, actions, movement and thoughts. They were considered wizards or demons. Really, the ninja had learned secrets of how life works. Then they used these ninja secrets to bend the world to serve them.

They had ilttle use for riches. Basically they were farmers. They understood that the mindless search for wealth was a mental sickness. In fact, this sickness could be used to get results. The ninja could use words then to their advantage. They could say things to people who had this “sickness” and manipulate them to behave as the ninja wanted.

Ninja Art of Peace

The ninja art was not just punching and kicking, invisibility  and wall climbing. The real ninja art was learning the ninja secrets of how people and nature really worked. The ninja could then utilize these secrets and the “ninja words” to make sure that their village, their families and their lives could be safer and more peaceful. Peace was the real ninja secret. They learned to manipulate the world to create peace for their village.

The ninja started out as a people who wanted to be left alone to raise their families and practice their religion in peace. The Emperor wanted everyone to be subject to his will and sent the samurai to enforce it. The ninja kept trying to move further into the widerness. But they kept being persecuted by the armies of the Emperor.

Because they were in nature, away from the distractions of major cities and had a great respect for the nature they lived in, they were able to learn by observing. They observed nature, people and animals to learn the ninja secrets that made them legendary. For hundreds of years they only used their ninja art and ninja secrets to protect themselves, their families and their villages.

Ninja Words

There are ninja words that hold infinite power and can profoundly change your life and the world we live in. The ninja words you really need to learn are:

• Perseverance
• Self sufficiency
• Personal power
• Intuition
• Community
• Vision

These are the critical to learn how to be ninja. To learn the ninja secrets you also need to learn ninja words like:

• Ganseki
• Gyaku
• Kihon Happo
• Shomitsu
• Taijutsu
• Nagare
• Koppojutsu

These are the technical ninja words for principles and techniques of the physical ninja art.

Learn the ninja art, ninja secrets and ninja words by clicking here.

When I tell people that I teach ninjutsu people want to know “how to be ninja”.

That is a question that I get asked a lot. It often comes as a joke, just before a loud, “Hyyya!” with a really bad attempt at a karate chop. They think there are secret ninja words that can make them invisible or cause their opponents to run in fear for their lives. This is not how to become a ninja.

I can’t really blame them for their ignorance. Its like most things in our corporate/media formed world. People think that when you learn how to be ninja you wear black clothes and sneak around “taking people out.” If they really wanted to know how to be a ninja all they have to do is find a good ninjutsu  school that has a direct lineage to Massaki Hatsumi and enroll.

To learn how to be a ninja really means to follow a discipline that dates back 900 years. To learn how to become a ninja means committing to discovering the powerful parts of yourself that society has buried with all the training on how to be mediocre. When you learn how to be a ninja you understand that the powers that be in the world have a strong interest in making the population believe in the limitations that keep them dependant on the powers that be for the basics, and for life itself!

So part of learning how to become a ninja is understanding that you live in a community, a village.  As a member of that village you have an obligation to add to, and not subtract from, that village. In todays society we have become disconnected from each other,  We have learned to faction ourselves off. So now we have a society that has no real sense of mutual responsibility.

My friends and I were watching video of the horiffic earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster in Japan. In some of those videos it showed food stores. There were long lines of people waiting for rice, water and just the basics to live. They stood patiently for their turn. They understood that they were all in it together.

I just imagine what that would be like if it happened here in the states.  I spent the winter in Michigan. There was a forecast for 8 to 10 inches of snow overnight. On my way home I stopped to pick up a box of cereal.  The shelves were bare of bread, milk, eggs and many other supplies.

I asked the cashier why they were so low. She looked very worn out. She said that ater 5 o’clock the place was swamped with people frantically trying to get food, just in case they couldn’t get out for a day or two. She also told me that people were shoving and complaining about everything. They were rude. They were mean. They had lost their compassion and apparently, their minds.

The Japanese people understand a very basic concept. They understand that strong individuals  make strong communities. The ninja were a  poor and persecuted subset of that culture. They not only understood the concept of strong indiviuals equal a strong village, they leveraged it to become the most feared and respected warriors in Japan. And they have become legends throughout the world.

Become a ninja

Not everyone will want to learn to how to be a ninja. They won’t see the value of learning the techniques and principles for being truly successful and self-actualized. To become a ninja you need to learn them, how to do them, how to master them and how to teach them. It is our obligation to further the lineage. We need to spread the training and opportunity to learn how to become a ninja, to learn and master the ninja words  and how to be a ninja.

Keep going!

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Ninja Online Mastery

The "Ninja Online Mastery" package includes BOTH the "Ninja Fighting Secrets" AND "Ninjutsu Core Techniques Training" packages for only $37! That's a $150 Savings! PLUS, I'll give you the "Training the Ninja Warrior" video series FREE!

Martial Arts Fitness Made The Ninja “Super Human”

It is widely believed that martial arts conditioning is the best overall fitness and conditioning exercise program available. When you using martial arts as your fitness program you are using your whole body. You are getting the benefit of the four areas you should be concerned about for ultimate health.

Cardio

In ninjutsu you train your body to optimize every aspect of yourself. Having the ability to utilize your lung capacity allows you to efficiently and effectively use your mind and muscles. If you are going to fight you need every part of you functioning well. Ninjutsu conditioning exercise requires your body to function holistically, all parts working together as one.

When people speak of cardio what they mean is the body’s efficient use of oxygen to enrich the blood. The blood carries the oxygen tot he muscles and organs so they can operate at peak levels.

One example of martial arts fitness and conditioning is cardio kickboxing. Cardio kickboxng  became very popular because of its ability to get the body tone, strong and develop endurance. The big problem is that people thought they were doing marital arts when they were just conditioning their bodies.

Endurance

Good cardio health leads to improved endurance. Whether you want to be able to work all day without fatigue or you need to make your way across the country side, infiltrate the enemy camp and potentially fight the enemy you need a high level of endurance.

Martial arts fitness and conditioning encourages endurance. The drills and exercises we do in ninjutsu build up your ability to keep going when others are screaming to stop. This is a competitive advantage for anyone.

Strength

You build great strength and conditioning workout when martial arts is the foundation of your fitness. In ninjutsu you work on:

• Core strength. Your abs, back and hips
• Leg strength. Your quads, knees ankles and calves
• Upper body strength. Your shoulders and arms

When doing  martial  arts all these areas get conditioning. You don’t have the same old boring workout every day. You get this strength from learning something new, working on perfecting something old and building up your character strength as well.

Martial arts provides a good strength and conditioning workout which is essential for success. It is also necessary as you age. You can postpone many age related disease and illness with a martial arts based strength and conditioning practice.

Flexibility

I have seen everyone who  has come into my ninjutsu school increase their flexibility. The nature of the way we train encourages progressively more supple bodies.

And ninjutsu, unlike many other martial arts conditioning, is based on natural body movement. You don’t need to be able to kick over your head to be flexible. In fact, one of the things I hear from Tae Kwon Do and Karate teachers are stories of their “latest” hip replacements! If your martial arts is causing degeneration of your joints and muscles then you are doing the wrong martial  arts conditioning system!

Whether you want to become a master ninja, be able to defend yourself  or just get into great shape,  ninjutsu should be your martial arts fitness choice.

A great way to start is by getting access to your own video dojo by clicking the “Join Now” button below.

Ninja Online Mastery

The "Ninja Online Mastery" package includes BOTH the "Ninja Fighting Secrets" AND "Ninjutsu Core Techniques Training" packages for only $37! That's a $150 Savings! PLUS, I'll give you the "Training the Ninja Warrior" video series FREE!

Wrist Lock or Wrist Break?

How do I perform the technique “Omote Gyaku“?

Omote gyaku is a primary technique in ninjutsu. It is part of the ninjutsu kihon happo, or basic eight principles .

Omote gyaku is a wrist lock. It happens when the opponent’s hand is manipulated in such a way that the bones of the wrist lock. This causes pain and can become a wrist break if sufficient force is applied.

The following description is meant as a step by step way to practice this kihon happo technique. The mechanics of omote gyaku is as follows:

CAUTION: This is a potentially destructive technique! Do not move quickly and be extremely sensitive to your partner’s body at all times. The locking action of omote gyuaku happens very quickly!

1) Your partner’s position. Have your partner hold their hand with fingers pointing up and their palm facing them (you are looking at the back of their hand).

Ura gyaku hand position

2) Place your thumbs on the back of your partner’s hand. The tips of your thumbs should be firmly pressed into the small bones on the back of his/her hand that lead from their wrist to their knuckles.

3) Place your finger tips on the palm of your partner’s hand. You will hold their hand much like you would hold a sandwich.

4) Fold their wrist. You do this by applying pressure to bend their wrist and moving their palm toward their forearm.

5) Twist their wrist. At the same moment you are folding their wrist, twist it “backwards”. You do this by pointing their palm behind them. Imagine you are trying to place their palm on the ground four feet directly behind them and then move to make that happen.

Tips for a more effective omote gyaku

• Use your hips to place their palm on the ground. As you are applying the fold and twist action to their wrist, simply turn your body and step in the direction you want them to go.
• DO NOT BEND AT THE WASTE! Use your knees to lower yourself to place their palm on the ground behind them.

The kihon happo is a collection of drills that deepen your understanding of the underlying principles of ninjutsu. These principles will be present in everything you do when learning ninjutsu.

Be careful, be mindful and keep training!

Keith Copeland is the owner of Quest Martial Arts. He has produced books and videos on the subjects of ninjutsu, the ninja, self awareness and self improvement. For more information on how you can learn ninjutsu online visit www.ninja-training-techniques.com

Jika Tabi split toes

Ninja Tabi, A Ninja Stealth Secret

Tabi are common foot ware in Japan. They are made so they separate the big toe from the rest of the toes. This split toe design are a bit like mittens for your feet.

Traditionally, tabi were worn as socks indoors. But unlike socks, tabi are made of cloth that is form fitting to the foot. Tabi are also split in the back so you can slip your foot in. Then, the tabi are fastened with small clips around the ankle.

Jika tabi are outdoor tabi designed to come in contact with the ground.

Even today Jika tabi are worn by Japanese construction workers. Separating the big toe allows for superior balance. They allow the worker to have a greater connection to the surface they walk on. Steel workers find them very helpful in determining the edges of the steel beams they walk on.

Jika tabi are traditional ninja foot ware. Much for the same reason Japanese construction workers like them today.

Jika tabi allowed the ninja to have:

Jika Tabi side view

• Exceptional balance
• Excellent connection to the surface he walked on
• The ability to climb with ease
• Great agility

The ninja tabi allowed for more balance and agility. Tabi, and their split toe design facilitated climbing and scaling walls.

The preferred foot ware for today’s ninja-in-training is Jika tabi. They are available but sometimes hard to find.

Jika Tabi side view

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Kusarifundo – The Hidden Trap

The ninja kusarifundo (also spelled kusari fundo) was a chain  and weight ninja weapon. It is also one of the least known of the ninja weapons.

It was mostly used for striking, capturing and grappling.

Ninja kusarifundo

Striking

The kusarifundo could be concealed in the ninja’s hand. It could be thrown much the same way you throw a punch. This would be a direct and straight strike.

Another method for delivering a strike with a kusarifundo would be using a circular motion. The kusarifundo would arc toward the opponent using circular footwork.

If you have ever played “crack the whip” with a few of your friends you will know that the person at the beginning of the line goes quite slow. The person at the end of the line goes very fast. The weight at the end of the kusarifundo gains an amazing amount of speed. As a result, the impact is many times the effort put into delivering it.

Thee other striking would be with the end of the weight as it sticks out each end of your fist.

Capturing

Held with a weight in each hand and the chain hanging between them the kusarifundo can be used to capture the opponent’s arms, hands, feet, legs, neck and head.

As a punch or kick is delivered the ninja could loop and capture the incoming weapon. Similarly, when the counter strike is delivered to the attacking opponent the kusraifundo could be used to loop around the neck.

Grappling

Once the opponent is captured the kusiarifundo can then be use to;

• Break a joint
• Lock a joint
• Perform a throw
• Perform a choke

Using a kusarifundo for weapons training really helps you see the dynamics of your body movement and footwork. A training kusarifundo is better than training with a metal kusarifundo until you get more proficient (less pain from beating yourself up).

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Blades of Death?

The ninja shuriken is legendary.

Imagine the scene; a darkened corridor, a lone Imperial guard walks up slowly. He thinks he hears something up ahead. He turns to see if there is something there and, WHACK! A shiny ninja shuriken throwing star is stuck in his head, killing him instantly.

This is a familiar Hollywood movie scene.

Ninja Shuriken Throwing Star

But Hollywood gets most things wrong!

In reality the ninja shuriken (shu = hand, ri = hidden, ken = weapon) was used as diversionary ninja weapons and as a close quarters ninja weapon.

The ninja shuriken throwing star was a very utilitarian weapon. It was:

• A grappling weapon
• A distraction
• An actual construction worker tool

A grappling weapon

The ninja shuiken was used for face-to-face and hand-to-hand fighting. By its nature and name it is a small ninja weapon that can be hidden. There are many techniques to use it to stab, drag across or cut into the skin.

This was particularly useful because it had the element of surprise. Imagine you are grappling with someone and suddenly you feel a tearing sensation on your arm, neck or back. This was very disrupting and gave a major advantage to the ninja.

The ninja shuriken used as a grappling weapon was held in the palm. It was held in such a way that the points jutted out between the fingers. No throwing with this star.

Held in this way the shuriken could be used much in the same way you would punch (push and drag). But now you would basically have small knives sprouting through your fingers (take that Wolverine!).

If you were in close, you could open your fist and use the points inside you fist (pull and drag).

A ninja weapon that was small, portable and secret that was not difficult to carry but was amazingly effective in battle. Also, a weapon that could be thrown away (or thrown at someone) was a handy tool indeed.

But a throwing star?

As a distraction

Let’s go back to our ninja in the shadows of the darkened corridor and the “throwing star of death”.  The truth is that the ninja star would have been thrown to a location that was far away from the guard. The guard would hear the ninja shuriken (now used as a throwing star) and look in the direction that it landed.

Taking advantage of the guard’s focus in a different direction, the ninja could slip away unnoticed.

The other aspect of the ninja shuriken was death by infection.

900 years ago there were no medicines to treat wounds from rusty old metal. Death would occur soon if you stepped on a nail or got a cut from a rusty wire. Knowing this, and the reputation of the ninja, the opponent would work pretty hard to avoid getting cut by this rusty piece of metal. This use of the ninja shuriken would allow just a moment of disruption for escape.

A construction worker’s tool

It was common for the Emperor to have many contruction workers in the palace.

The ninja could carry his  shuriken in plain sight because they were actually the ancient equivalent of a nail puller. The shuriken was also used to hold wooden dowels in place that were critical for the structural integrity of a building.

As a result, the ninja posing as a construction worker could carry many shuriken in a rope, and carry them openly.

Hiding in plain sight is almost always best!

A throwing star was only one shape for the ninja shuriken. By definition a ninja shuriken was a hidden hand weapon. Shuriken were often long, knife like projectiles.

Rubber shuriken are a good training tool. You can get the feel for the throwing or grappling technique, work on your body dynamics and you can practice anywhere.

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Question: If you are a small female but want to learn a martial art to protect yourself is ninjutsu (the ninja martial art) a good choice? I’ve heard that a teacher who has trained in ninjutsu with masaaki hatsumi would be good!

Answer:

Ninjutsu is, in my opinion, the very best women’s self defense martial art for a female. It is based on scientific positioning, balance and strategy.

In fact, in many ways if you are smaller than your attacker you have many advantages in ninjutsu.

Another advantage is the ground defense that has always been a part of ninjutsu. There is a complete ground fighting system that is part of this art, and has been for hundreds of years!

And yes, I would recommend that you learn from someone who has a connection to a teacher that has trained directly with Masaaki Hatsumi.