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SRI
Starting Member
2 Posts |
 Posted - 04/05/2004 : 10:38:17
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Hello all :)
I am new to your forum.
I am starting to practice ninpo soon and would really love to hear some of your experiences from your "greenhorn" days in ninpo training.
I am not complete newbie to martial arts, but from what I hear, ninpo is kindda different art form karate...
So, what tips would you share here?
What mistakes have you made in your ninpo training?
What do you find most important for a newbie to know?
I thank you all.
s.
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mog roith
Frequent Member
Canada
117 Posts |
Posted - 04/05/2004 : 22:42:08
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1. RELAX. Especially if you've got a history in something like Karate, which often emphasizes firmness. Taijutsu requires you to be fluid and loose, not bound up tight. Also an issue if you're nervous.
2. Keep your eyes open, and try to not just learn the kata, but try and figure out why the kata does what it does; what's the underlying motion? This won't help you much at lower levels, but it's a good mindset to get into.
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king kurt
Regular Member
United Kingdom
24 Posts |
Posted - 05/29/2004 : 02:31:23
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it seemed to me when I first started training that every thing was so staightfoward and to the point that why the
hell i had not worked it out on my own{body
weight behind the punch doh!}the best thing
you hopefully will find is the way you
move in a day to day basis so eventually
you can visit your mates at the karate dojo
and they wont be able to catch you let
alone spar
welcome to the famliy
kurt
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Human
Regular Member
Canada
23 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2004 : 16:21:39
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Hey SRI,
If you are just starting out, then there are a couple of things that I wish I had know when I started that might help you avoid making some of the mistakes that many of us took a very long tome to get over.
Firstly, I must reiterate what Mog Roith said...RELAX!! Do not force your body to move, let it move the way it's supposed to move. Now, that's not to say you should let yourself be lazy, believe me, it is very easy to fall into THAT pattern. Just move. If you see a punch coming, move. If you see an opening in your opponent's defences, move. If you get thrown, move... for the love of God move, because the sudden stop at the end is a hell of a lot worse than a nice, smooth roll. Just keep moving.
Secondly, you must be commited in everything you do. What I mean by this is if you are throwing someone, throw them, finish the technique. Don't stop because you might have done something slightly wrong, improvise and try the model again. If you are punching someone, punch them, DO NOT swerve because you are afraid of hurting them, it's your job to attack, it's their job to get the hell out of the way. Now that probably sounds a little harsh so I'll put it into perspective. In my class most of our training is done at a very low speed so as not to injure each other, and as such if we do not move we get hit. The hits aren't hard but they're enough to let you know "well, I just bought it". This approach has been extremely helpful to my taijutsu, however, it does lend itself to another problem. This problem is non-commited technique. It is extremely easy to track someone with a strike if you can see them moving slowly in a certain direction, so we must constantly remember to keep the techniques realistic. If you are throwing a straight punch to a person's head, that punch is going to where that person's head was when you started the punch. So essentaily, commitment is vigilance and maintaining a sence of realism.
Well those are my two thoughts on how to start out, I hope they are of use to you. Best of luck in your training.
Sincerley,
Human.
P.S: Humility is the key to this art.
"Respectfulness and an open mind are the keys to Humanity." |
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druss
Regular Member
USA
15 Posts |
Posted - 06/04/2004 : 16:34:20
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Agreed, we call that "Dojo Syndrome". It is very important to always be a good Uke. I think we have an article about that on our website.
if you are interested, See articles at http://kukan.active-logic.com
Human, that was very good. We train that way as well. Another thing to add too that goes along with what you said. Always punch THROUGH the target, not stop short (as in many other martial arts, they stop short instead of punching through, because they don't want to make contact with the uke). So if you are punching at someone's head, visualize that you want to put your fist against an object behind your opponents head.
If they stop short (say at the tip of your nose) you will find that you won't feel compelled to move or do anything because that punch is not a threat. I have had new students punch at me and do that and if I try to do the techinque I am supposed to, it won't work because the punch is not threatening me, so I could just stand there and not do anything.
Anyway, always punch through the target.
Keep going,
David
Edited by - druss on 06/04/2004 16:36:43 |
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paperdragon_413
Starting Member
United Kingdom
4 Posts |
Posted - 06/05/2004 : 12:06:09
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i agree with you, one of the most important things is to mean what you do whether attacking or defending. theres nothing worse than an uke who doesn't try, as most of the moves don't work the same way without the proper intention.
Only in the dragon's mouth can you escape his claws |
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SRI
Starting Member
2 Posts |
Posted - 06/06/2004 : 17:56:02
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Hey guys!
Sorry for a delay. :)
I thank you all for your thoughts.
I am now in my third month of training taijutsu. Have been on two seminars so far (the last one under Sveneric Shihan, deep bow to him) and all I can say is: waw.
I have been training shotokan for 8 years, jujitsu and judo for about 4 yrs and now I can see that almost everything I was thought in the past was artificial and, for the lack of a better word, wrong. "Wrong" for martial art and correct for martial sport...
Yes, I can see that relaxation is the key to it all. I write down most of the instructions my Sensei gives me and his most frequent comment is: "you are doing it too fast", and "relax". No wander, in karate we did it all very fast and hard...
The general feeling in the dojo is completely different form impressions I remember form my previous training in martial sports.
My training mates are kind and very very supportive. I am a bit better off than most of them, being karateka and all (good coordination in movements etc...), but they are helping me nevertheless. This is just amazing to me.
In my karate training I was left alone, no one even bothered to correct me, but in our dojo, everyone seem to care about each other. I just love this.
I am happy I decided to start to study ninjutsu.
Human, tnx for your detailed tips. I will try to remember them.
:)
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kenjin
Regular Member
Venezuela
29 Posts |
Posted - 06/09/2004 : 11:02:05
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I agree!!! when i began with bujinkan everyone just kept helping even if i understood the movements and almost all... They kept giving me "extra" details of the techniques. Now, after going all the way trhoug Shodan, i kind of undestand that the level of taijutsu of one individual represents the levl of a entire dojo.. or it is just good that the entire dojo has very good ukes as well as toris. (i apologize if my english is hard to understand :P)
Training is the only way to perfrction!!!
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LCPLPunk
Frequent Member
Canada
236 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2004 : 10:17:48
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As one who is new to the art, i'd like to say all of your advice has been very helpful. :)
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uraken
Starting Member
United Kingdom
1 Posts |
Posted - 07/02/2004 : 15:28:16
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Hi guys ,
Im new here too & some helpful articles in the various posts,
I have just joined the bujinkan after 6 years in a shotokan style. Why did i move ?
A friend (bujinkan student) of my sensei's came to our dojo to demonstrate some self defence techniques, the best thing he ever did for me, not for my sensei tho. I viewed some different arts and left the bujinkan dojos till last. I found the dojo/instructor i felt most apt and turned up to watch my first class from the sidelines so i could see all different levels of students in action. The shidoshi came across and welcomed me and said his senior instructor had turned up to take the class. This slightly built small guy, very ordinary looking not what i expected at all then bowed the class in. All i could do was watch in awe as he demonstrated some of the most fantastic techniques that were executed so beautifully and effortlessly I have ever had the privelage of seeing. I can honestly say i felt like crying i really felt i had wasted years jumping from art to art whilst looking for my true path but overjoyed as well as it was now right here in front of me. My saving grace is that my eldest boy only 12 (practising for 6 years shotokan) looked at me and said dad this is it, our new home. My other child (9yo) has now also joined us too, we'd just like to say thanks to the bujinkan for renewing our faith in martial arts as it has everything we have been looking for a lot of other arts now lack, ethically & spirtually as well as the combat coupled with a fascinating history.
Empty the mind & the body will react naturally.... |
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LCPLPunk
Frequent Member
Canada
236 Posts |
Posted - 07/05/2004 : 00:57:02
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Glad to hear it! Welcome to the Bujinkan! :)
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Dashihoudai
New Member
USA
6 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2004 : 20:59:40
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I have social phobia..I think it would be hard to relax and not be nervous..
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LCPLPunk
Frequent Member
Canada
236 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2004 : 13:27:21
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Dash,
I'd talk to some instructors in your area and just be honest and tell them. See what they can do, hopefully they'll be more than willing to help you out. If they can't, you could always do the train at home thing, a ton of people are doing that.
Aaron Lucia
Maitland/Orlando Bujinkan
"Shut up and train!" - Masaaki Hatsumi |
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Shizen9
Frequent Member
USA
134 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2004 : 19:17:50
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Welcome for those new to the art.
And good tips everybody!
SRI, "So, what tips would you share here?
What mistakes have you made in your ninpo training?
What do you find most important for a newbie to know?"
Tips: consistently drill your postures and rolling for efficiency, silence, and painlessness.
Mistakes: not paying attention to the basics (hint: it's all basics); moving fast or without balance - might miss something, or cause injury; pausing in the middle of a technique instead of just moving - somewhere, just move - finish the uke (this can happen if there is too much discussion during execution, talking will slow you down - clench your teeth and go to work).
Gambatte!
Most important for a newbie to know: we are playing with life and death in the dojo, take training seriously.
On social interaction / phobia:
The general attitude of bujinkan dojo, and the relatively small class size, allows for a very close, sharing of knowledge exchange while praticing. Mental stress is minimal.
My newbie experience -
I had read a Hayes book or two, so I kinda knew what ninjutsu looked like; I was very open-minded
and completely dissatisfied with any other style I have sampled (karate/tkd, shorinji/shaolin, aikido, et al.)
And I practiced on my own before I found a dojo
so I was reasonably fit and knowledgable in basic martial arts. My first experience in a bujinkan dojo, I learn some postures, rolls, and the attitude (relaxed, family atmosphere, etc.) of the dojo, and was shown as my first kata, fubi:
uke two hand grapple (choke or throw attempt), tori jumps and wraps legs around uke, hammerfist to face, backward body drop, double leg sweep with arms and legs, axe kick to chest, back roll to zanshin.
...
so I was pretty certain after a couple classes, that this was the real deal when it came to martial arts, and I knew that I would learn the most from my shidoshi about effective fighting.
6 years later, I am still blown away by the number and nature of the techniques in the bujinkan, and learn something new every time I practice one.
---
Following a clear and pure heart full of trust in the inevitable, the ninja captures the insight that will guide him successfully into battle when he must conquer, and conceal himself protectively from hostility when he must acquiesce. - Takamatsu
Edited by - Shizen9 on 08/30/2004 19:38:46 |
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LCPLPunk
Frequent Member
Canada
236 Posts |
Posted - 09/04/2004 : 08:39:20
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I oould say something about my training as well, but Shizen basically covered it all, save for the fact iv'e only been doing it 3 months. :)
Aaron Lucia
Maitland/Orlando Bujinkan
"No more talk. I'm sick of people talking. Train." - Masaaki Hatsumi |
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Shizen9
Frequent Member
USA
134 Posts |
 Posted - 09/04/2004 : 12:02:11
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Another tip:
budou training is exciting and enjoyable, so there is a tendency in the beginning to want to practice all the time.
Beware of overtraining - doing too much can lead to mental burnout or physical strain that will be detrimental to progress.
So, pace yourself.
Alternatively, don't be lazy about training either. Try to get some kind of practice in at least once a week. A good minimum would be at least one dojo session, and one solo - at home - practice time per week. Some things like stretching, diet, and basic conditioning, as well as studying reference materials can be done everyday.
Another aspect of pacing: don't be in a hurry to earn rank. There are all kinds of basic guidelines like it should take 3-4 years to earn shodan, so there will be between 3-4 months between kyu ranks. However, don't think that this will be regular or consistent. I've gone years without a rank promotion, and I've been training for 6 years without earning shodan yet. I just don't think about it. Ranking will happen when it happens. It's not a big deal.
Again, there's a flip-side: *Do* be in a hurry to improve. Be better now. Keep going with training, and know that it is a long process, but don't think that mastery has to be way way in the future. Strive to be better as soon as possible. Remember that the primary goal of martial arts training is effective self-defense. You might need to protect yourself tomorrow, so develop the skills you need today.
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Following a clear and pure heart full of trust in the inevitable, the ninja captures the insight that will guide him successfully into battle when he must conquer, and conceal himself protectively from hostility when he must acquiesce. - Takamatsu
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Tips for newbie
