Ninjitsu

“Ninjas can run for twenty miles without even feeling tired.”

“Ninjas can jump onto a roof that is four meters high."

“Ninjas are the most agile warriors ever.”

“Ninjas can disappear whenever they want.”

Quite a few powerful claims about Ninjas we have here.  Google Ninja and you’ll come across many more claims.  Some more absurd than others.

Although one fact that is known about Ninjitsu, the training of ninjas, is that they have incredible stamina.

How do they build this stamina and agility that is unmatched by any other martial arts? The way is in the training.

One such training method used by the Ninjas is the “Ninja Run”.  The Ninja Run is a run through a part and / or an urban environment where you create obstacles wherever you see them.  Let’s say you and a group of friends are running through a park and you come across a tree, wall, and a low fence.  How could you implement this into the run and make more exciting.

The Tree: While running, jump up and grab a branch of the tree pulling yourself up.  This will teach you a quick technique to turn invisible.

Wall: Use the wall as a platform for a wall flip.  Maybe do the spider across the top where you are holding yourself up by your foot and one hand.

Low Fence: Do a diving roll over this fence.  I once asked my friend if you had to get over a 5 foot tall electric fence, how would he do it?  He had no idea, so I demonstrated a diving roll application where I dove over it superman style and rolled up on to me feet - smooth as butter.

When you first get started on your Ninja Run, keep it simple and fun.  Add one or two obstacles each time you do your run. Then, try to change it up a bit by sprinting from each obstacle as quickly as possible.  You want a variety of conditioning methods – think cross training.

What you are doing in a ninja run is mixing up a standard run with obstacles to train you for agility, stamina, and creative thinking.

So when designing your next Ninja run, look at as many obstacles or adversities that can be used to improve your training.  If you are low on ideas, try going to youtube and search for LaParkour who do this with the urban / city environment.  You will find many videos ranging from beginner to expert.

Keep it Ninja, Ninja!

Photo Credits: magoexperto

Originally posted 2010-04-09 03:40:06.

Bruce Lee Statue

But many martial arts were developed back when conventional weapons and hands and fists were used to dominate other people. Today's world is drastically different. If you want to become a world-class survival artist in the modern world, you have to embrace not only martial arts, but knowing how to avoid trouble in the first place and build a secure, balanced life. Here's how you can hone your survival skills outside of the conventional martial arts.

Learn urban and rural survival skills. Sure, you may be a good martial artist, but if you're ever caught in a tough situation in an urban environment, could you survive with your wits alone? Urban survival can include different skills such as blending in with the crowd, learning how to escape a city, and using technology to your advantage. Rural survival skills are also crucial, as you never know when you might get trapped in a survival situation far from the comforts of civilization.

Learn financial survival skills. The economic crisis that the world sunk into last year is a wake-up call: today's financial world doesn't stand on stable ground, and all of the martial arts skills in the world won't help you retain your bank account should a bigger crisis hit. How protected is your financial situation? If you lose your job, will you be out of money in a hurry, or do you have emergency funds saved? Do you have all of your money in cash, or do you diversify with commodities like gold and silver?

Avoiding danger, even while traveling. It's not possible to always avoid danger, but that doesn't mean you should walk into the rough part of town simply because you have a black belt. A wise martial artist knows how to avoid danger in the first place, even if you're in places that you don't know quite as well as your home. Make sure that you generally avoid bad areas, rough situations, and, when overseas, areas where tourists are constantly targeted. Information is valuable, so ask around if you're not sure.

The modern renaissance man won't only know how to defend himself, but how to protect himself and his lifestyle. Being able to block a punch is great, but achieving more balance can help you survive other threats to your livelihood.

Photo Credits: juanma.

Originally posted 2010-01-26 03:36:15.