Frequently Asked Questions
You say your training is effective self defense that’s both traditional and practical for today’s world. How can a martial art be both?
Unlike other arts that train only in a limited set of techniques, Ninjutsu is a living art. In other words, the art adapts & expands to adjust for different time periods and varying cultures. For example, knives are not as prevalent in Japan, but in America, they are quite common. As a result, we train regularly on knife defense. Our art is also not focused in one area. It is very broad and versatile, incorporating striking, grappling & weapons, strategy & philosophy, meditation & awareness, and more.
How do I know if this is the right art for me?
This art is great for all types of people, as it doesn’t rely on strength or speed, and is still fully effective & practical. Attending an Introductiry Session is the best way to try it out & see for yourself!
In the meantime, check out what others are saying on our Testimonials page
Is this authentic? I thought ninjas were only in movies & comics…?
Good question! Many fakes are out there. đ Â Don’t worry, this is genuine Ninjutsu. The martial arts we teach & study go back centuries. Our Chief Instructor is a direct student of the Grandmaster & has been training in this art for 40+ years, and he is one of the most senior instructors in the world outside Japan. Our dojo has also been recognized & vetted by the Japanese Consulate.
A martial art school near me offers a âNinja Kidsâ class. Is that the same thing you do?
It is not at all the same thing. Other arts sometimes âborrowâ the name Ninja, because Ninjas are cool, and itâs a way to attract people to their program. Our school and art are 100% authentic, and we teach the genuine art of Ninjutsu. As the saying goes, âImitation is the sincerest form of flatteryâ. đ So, we thank them for the compliment, but please donât be mistaken, they are not teaching Ninjutsu.
How long does it take to become proficient or to earn promotions?
We focus on individual growth for each student. Everyone learns & grows at their own pace, so youâll be able to have a direct impact on how quickly you progress. đ Â Regardless of rank, as a dojo member, you’ll learn practical & useful techniques for keeping yourself safe, from the time you start training.
Do you train with weapons? How long before I can start that training?
Our art is very versatile and includes: Striking (punching, kicking, etc.), Grappling (like joint locks, holds, and escapes), and a variety of tools & weapons, as well as non-physical aspects, like meditation, strategy and awareness. Weapons training is not an add-on, itâs built into the art, and you’ll learn to use – and defend against – various weapons from the start.
Do I have to study another art first, or have another black belt, before learning Ninjutsu?
That’s a common myth, but not true. If you’ve studied another martial art or other physical activity, aspects of that training may carry over & can be something to build from. On the other hand, if you havenât trained before, there are likely fewer habits to unlearn. đ Â Both cases can be positive, depending on the individual student & their approach.
Do you have tournaments?Â
We do not hold competitions or tournaments. For those interested in sports or competitions, there are other arts that are more focused on those kinds of things. Our art focuses on usable, functional self-defense, life skills & strategies, and practical protection of yourself and your loved ones.
Do you do sparring?
We definitely do train with unplanned and unknown attacks and in non-structured situations. Let us stress that these are not competitive situations. These are a natural progression of training into more & more real-world application. Because of the level of intensity & skill required, students progress into this type of training as they advance.
Why does your dojo have other activities? Shouldnât you focus on training ‘on the mat’?
While we do put in lots of training on the mat and in the dojo, and that is our main focus, we also believe that real-world experience and a variety of skills are valuable to have too. From defending against a physical attack, to awareness of your surroundings, to outdoor skills & first aid, to staying safe online â there are many types of self-protection in todayâs world.
Our dojo has always been like a second home and our members treated as extended family. Building friendships and teamwork are important. Weâre not at all like a fitness gym or weight room, where you come in, do your reps, and leave. We regularly have activities like group dinners, camping trips, escape rooms, movie night, whitewater rafting, special classes & seminars, and more. All of these contribute to camaraderie & learning. And theyâre pretty fun! đ
Isnât Ninjutsu just a bunch of other arts combined together?
Actually, the opposite is true. Ninjutsu is a complete, well-rounded art. Because of its versatility and breadth of study, the genuine art doesnât need to be supplemented with others. While some schools will attempt to blend very different arts together, in the interest of rounding out their training, Ninjutsu is already well-rounded, and covers a wide variety of situations without having to learn multiple, different systems.
