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A brief look at;

Commitment.

If you want to get any where in the art of Ninjutsu, you must have a lasting commitment to it, weather you take this to mean a total twenty-four hour, seven days a week commitment, or just your spare time, it's up to you how you interpret the meaning of it, but above all, it must be a true and sincere form of commitment.

Now, some people will take lasting commitment to mean every minute of their spare time, while others may well take it to be only at the weekends or just once a week, of course there is nothing wrong with both type's of commitment, as long as it is constant, and not just "now and again" when there's nothing on the TV, or you are bored.

this kind of commitment (or lack of it!!) will get you nowhere very quickly, so every student that is thinking of grading, or just simply wanting to train, should first asses themselves, to see if they can commit the right amount of time and effort into the art of Ninjutsu.

Of course Ninjutsu instructors should also be aware of and understand, the different interpretations of commitment as shown by their students, this is of particular importance to the instructor, as in the course of teaching their students, they can prompt some, and positively encourage others without being seen to "nag" everybody, as this can and will have an adverse effect on the students in question, and evan some prospective students, and could ultimately lead to them leaving the dojo, or as has happened, Ninjutsu for good, and let's not forget that students DO talk to each other, as well as to potential students, so to be seen as a nagging instructor, may even prevent people from starting in the first place.

So the crux of the matter is, that a lasting form of commitment should be encouraged, and shown not only from the instructor, but possibly from all of the students as well, in the form of a united front for all to see, thus hopefully improving our Ninjutsu all round.

Do not forget that other people from outside the Ninjutsu community, will see the lack of commitment, BEFORE they see the art, and this is what they will pass on to ALL other people.

by Rob Harris 3rd Dan

Getting your techniques to flow

When trying a technique for the first time, most people start by the 1,2,3 method, then after a while they start to speed it up, in the attempt to get the technique to "flow", thus confusing flowing with speed.

So what is a flowing technique?.

Well, a technique that flows, is one that starts and ends in one smooth move, that is; not done in stages, (not 1 & 2 & 3,etc.) each part of the technique blends in with the next, to create one move.

It is very much like a jigsaw puzzle, there are many pieces, but only one picture.

So when you are training, you must always try to make the technique's you are practicing, look like one picture, not two or three, and to execute them slowly.

Why should we do our technique's slowly at first?.

Well, when you try to execute a technique too fast, there is always a danger that you will miss or overlook the options that may be presented to you, during the technique, this will slow down your ability to change the technique, when it is not going according to plan.

There is also the very real chance, that you may seriously hurt your training partner, or even worse, end their Martial art career all together, and that is not what Ninjutsu is all about. (You must also remember, that if you do hurt your training partner, it's their turn next!!.)

Another thing to remember, is that when you are doing an attack, that your training partner is defend against, ONLY do the attack that you have been instructed to do, so to allow your training partner to perfect the technique, before you try any form of counter attack, or change the attack.

Try always to allow a technique to grow, not just within yourself, but with your training partner also.

So train with care, feeling, and control, but above all else, train with a slow flowing attitude, speed and power, will come later, and then only with practice.

By Mike Preston. 1st Dan.

UK.

The veiws on this page, are of the contributors and authors, and in no way are they intended to represent the Bujinkan as a whole.

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	Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu Kakusu Yama Dojo home Contributors Page \| Coming Events \| Dojo List \| Photo Gallery \| Article & Contributors Archives \| Contacting The Kakusu Yama Dojo \| Ninjutsu & Other Martial Arts Links Article & Contributors Archives A brief look at; Commitment. If you want to get any where in the art of Ninjutsu, you must have a lasting commitment to it, weather you take this to mean a total twenty-four hour, seven days a week commitment, or just your spare time, it's up to you how you interpret the meaning of it, but above all, it must be a true and sincere form of commitment. Now, some people will take lasting commitment to mean every minute of their spare time, while others may well take it to be only at the weekends or just once a week, of course there is nothing wrong with both type's of commitment, as long as it is constant, and not just "now and again" when there's nothing on the TV, or you are bored. this kind of commitment (or lack of it!!) will get you nowhere very quickly, so every student that is thinking of grading, or just simply wanting to train, should first asses themselves, to see if they can commit the right amount of time and effort into the art of Ninjutsu. Of course Ninjutsu instructors should also be aware of and understand, the different interpretations of commitment as shown by their students, this is of particular importance to the instructor, as in the course of teaching their students, they can prompt some, and positively encourage others without being seen to "nag" everybody, as this can and will have an adverse effect on the students in question, and evan some prospective students, and could ultimately lead to them leaving the dojo, or as has happened, Ninjutsu for good, and let's not forget that students DO talk to each other, as well as to potential students, so to be seen as a nagging instructor, may even prevent people from starting in the first place. So the crux of the matter is, that a lasting form of commitment should be encouraged, and shown not only from the instructor, but possibly from all of the students as well, in the form of a united front for all to see, thus hopefully improving our Ninjutsu all round. Do not forget that other people from outside the Ninjutsu community, will see the lack of commitment, BEFORE they see the art, and this is what they will pass on to ALL other people. by Rob Harris 3rd Dan Getting your techniques to flow When trying a technique for the first time, most people start by the 1,2,3 method, then after a while they start to speed it up, in the attempt to get the technique to "flow", thus confusing flowing with speed. So what is a flowing technique?. Well, a technique that flows, is one that starts and ends in one smooth move, that is; not done in stages, (not 1 & 2 & 3,etc.) each part of the technique blends in with the next, to create one move. It is very much like a jigsaw puzzle, there are many pieces, but only one picture. So when you are training, you must always try to make the technique's you are practicing, look like one picture, not two or three, and to execute them slowly. Why should we do our technique's slowly at first?. Well, when you try to execute a technique too fast, there is always a danger that you will miss or overlook the options that may be presented to you, during the technique, this will slow down your ability to change the technique, when it is not going according to plan. There is also the very real chance, that you may seriously hurt your training partner, or even worse, end their Martial art career all together, and that is not what Ninjutsu is all about. (You must also remember, that if you do hurt your training partner, it's their turn next!!.) Another thing to remember, is that when you are doing an attack, that your training partner is defend against, ONLY do the attack that you have been instructed to do, so to allow your training partner to perfect the technique, before you try any form of counter attack, or change the attack. Try always to allow a technique to grow, not just within yourself, but with your training partner also. So train with care, feeling, and control, but above all else, train with a slow flowing attitude, speed and power, will come later, and then only with practice. By Mike Preston. 1st Dan. UK. The veiws on this page, are of the contributors and authors, and in no way are they intended to represent the Bujinkan as a whole. back to top