My first experience with Japanese Kenjutsu the (martial art of the sword) was in 1975 at the All East Coast Karate Championship. It was one of the final demonstrations and listed as the high point of the tournament. The young Karate Master jumped out on the stage...
Dojo Blog
Essays on Martial ArtsMartial arts have many uses. One should understand the context of how each was used.
Martial arts have many uses. I feel that one should take the time to understand the context in which their martial arts were used. This will open a whole range of skills and understanding about what is needed to learn their martial arts in the correct manner. For...
Seminar with An-shu Stephen K. Hayes March 21,22,23 2014 Ninja Psychology and Ninpo Taijutsu
Our goal when protecting ourselves is not always clearly defined. We may not be in the correct state of mind to protect ourselves when an attack happens. The attacker is also trying to determine if we are easy targets at that time. The difference between the attacker...
I have been very lucky to have great martial arts teachers
I have been very lucky to have great martial arts teachers that were open minded in their studies and have encouraged us to do the same. Many teachers would cut down their students in front or behind their backs for wanting to explore and ask the tough questions...
Respect and the martial arts part 1
What is respect in the martial arts? On the battlefields of old you had respect for could happen on the battlefield and what the enemy could do, and the martial arts teachers that trained you to survive, your fellow warrior’s, family, the community that supported you....
Self defense developed out of a need for protection
Self defense developed out of a need for protection; these methods included studying not only physical but also psychological defense. There had to be a way to pass on thousands of years of personal and group defense in an orderly manner. This became known as martial...
In martial arts, the mind body and spirit need to work together as one
In martial arts, the mind body and spirit need to work together as one. Togakure-ryu Ninpo Taijutsu kokyu-ho (breathing techniques for the martial arts we teach) helps on brings these parts of into alignment. These techniques can change because conditions and stress...
Martial arts class trains us to keep going
Martial arts classes trains us to keep going. Sometimes the universe will say you do not have the ability to do this. But through non-stop training and hard work in the martial arts you can train your sprit to make some small breakthroughs. All the small breakthroughs...