No Martial Science No Ninjitsu Know Martial Science Know Ninjitsu
Posted: Saturday, June 07, 2008
by Rick Tew
Tew's INC
NO Martial Science
NO Ninjitsu
KNOW Martial Science
KNOW Ninjitsu
As I review my mail, I come across more and more exciting replies to our Web site. Within some of the mailing I find, a few pieces of literature from the confused practitioners of so called "traditional" Ninjutsu. I am writing this article to explain what the Martial Science IS and what it is NOT.
It is not an art form
It is my belief that the man makes the art and not the other way around. This is to say that even though basic Karate is not a very realistic system for self-defense, it doesn't mean there can't be very deadly Karateka's. There are some people who just do well no matter what style you put them in. However, with the Martial Science and its concept to develop around the individual - it makes it easier for the System to actually develop the student. Why? This is because the student IS the style.
There are no limitations
In the Martial Science, students develop a lot faster than they would in other styles. I get letters all the time from students and instructors telling me about one of our beginners going back to their old Karate class and out-performing the Black Belts. Black Belts are not what they used to be. Because we don't set limitations on our students, they are allowed to develop at a much faster rate. This rate is at least 3x faster than the average school. A normal karate student will go into class and be forced into the mindset that they are only a white belt and must perform as such. Students come into the Martial Science knowing they wear a gray belt, but are only at the level they (as individuals) choose to be. This is hard to explain, but an important factor in the student's growth.
A typical class in the Martial Science could consist of white and black belt techniques. Who are we, as instructors to limit our student's potential. Of course there is a required amount of common sense involved you may not want to have white belts doing wall flips their first class.
In the traditional school, the student has a hard time advancing because they are caged and limited by their own system. We try to avoid this trap and get the student on to higher ranks along with a much higher degree of skill.
Many people might think that the student would end up advancing without a strong foundation in the basics, after all, the basics are what build the structure of a master. This is not the case in the Martial Science. We have a unique way of training students for advancement. I hear many Black Belts brag about their 2 hour test. I don't mean to laugh, but a our yellow belt tests alone used to be two hours. A Martial Science Black Belt test is 1-3 years or longer. This is because of the requirements involved. Another concept used by the Martial Science is the way we test. A student who is testing for one level does not just test just for that skill. The test begins by testing again for previous levels and then the new level. This way we make sure the students are building a strong foundation and are not forgetting any of the skills they learned.
This is one of the reasons a test can last so long. A beginner test can easily last over 6 hours and all of our tests are held in the outdoors. Pre tests for the required skill level skills are held in the class and are a prerequisite to the final test.
The only testing we offer outside of this is testing for club leaders and members who cannot get to the classes. We offer special testing for their club ranks. This might happen for a student who is following the video course. They would send in video footage of green belt requirements, an instructor would judge the performance and send back the necessary certificate of rank.
Realistic - reality of fiction
Another key point to bring out into the open is realism. And this goes for Ninjitsu as well as most other martial arts. We try to maintain a focused realistic approach to training. So you won't find me teaching my students to defend against a reverse punch or have them standing in line punching over and over while chanting numbers. We do have basic training, but it is fun and flexible. We maintain authority and discipline without having to degrade the student. We believe in teaching (or putting back the "SELF" in) SELF discipline. Self, means that YOU want to do it and not just that someone is screaming at you for more push-ups.
Realistic to me is simple and to the point: How would someone on the street punch you? How would you react or respond? I don't see many people punching the way most schools teach - so to me, this is silly.
Even though we focus on realism, we also understand the martial arts is a place to have fun. So I will teach techniques that I know won't work in a fight, but tell my students before-hand that this is to develop a certain kick or type of body movement. I would rather use my hands than have a pair of nunchaku, but I love to play with them and this is part of the Martial Science. We like to include as much as possible to train a student in all facets of the arts while still getting serious training.
Also, when we teach specific defenses against a punch or kick, we explain to the students that this is training and not a defense against a punch or a kick. Too many students are taught to believe they will react with technique 1 or 2 from their list of learned skills. This concept is ridiculous and unrealistic. Every single attack is completely different and all the skills (and defenses) you learn are simply pieces of a puzzle. When you get into a situation you will utilize these learned movements and adapt to the situation at hand.
You have to understand that your opponent is not going to throw one punch and wait for you to defend yourself. Your opponent is also not going to leave that punch out there while you dance around with your fancy kicks and strikes. We utilize a special way of dealing with attacks that helps us to make use of the many skills taught. Most schools teach a one-two defense strategy. In the street the adrenaline is flowing and like it or not, punching someone in the wrist is ONLY a way to interrupt their pattern (if they even feel it).
Some people can be kicked in the groin and still not notice what has happened. This is why realistic training is important. So many students think they can defend themselves because they do well in class. But in class, the adversary is taught to go down. That is the typical dojo adversary's job, to go down. Now I am not saying I want you to be a pain in the butt when your partner is doing techniques. In training, you can't actually kick them in the groin. But you CAN offer resistance and realistic movements and responses to your partner's moves.
Ninjutsu and the Martial Science
Now the big issue is the Ninjutsu and Martial Science factor. The reason I call it the Martial Science is because it is the new age of Ninjutsu. It is what Ninjutsu wants to be or claims to be. I am tired of the goofy Ninja clans trying to take over the world with their silly concepts and totally unrealistic training. I know there are a few of you out there who have a clue as to what is going on, but I have done more than enough research and have more than enough people to back me up on all of this. So if you want to be a so called, "Ninja" of some mysterious past, then by all means, continue to fan the flame of the goofy guys. But, if you want reality and real martial arts training, then that is what we are here for. We clear the clouds of mysticism and bring Ninjutsu back down to earth.
Ninjutsu tries to claim that it is a complete art it also claims to be realistic. But the only thing they have that truly speaks this is the literature. Performance is something else entirely. We teach pure Martial Science (what Ninjutsu claims to be). So others may complain about our system and teachings, but we can only say, "we are nothing like you and we don't claim to be." We don't make any claims whatsoever towards being associated with the goofy Ninja. We are not Gurus and we do not push any religious beliefs. We teach the student to worship themselves along with their individual beliefs. We could be called, "New Age Ninjitsu," but I prefer the Martial Science. Ninjitsu is too confusing these days and most people are lost in the transcripts. Iga this and Koga that.
Anyone can get a certificate and many Ninjutsu Instructors hand them out every day. But not everyone can develop the skill to become a true practitioner of the Martial Science. It is above Ninjitsu because it does not limit itself in any way. It does not limit students by claiming historical beginnings. A punch is a punch no matter where it came from. You cannot reinvent the punches and kicks. You can simply create an attitude for achievement, a set of philosophies and guidelines. I know that many people want a huge history lesson, but I happen to be one of those people who had forgotten half of what I learned in school. To me, this means that I would rather learn what is useful and what will apply to my life. If you are a history buff, then the Martial Science is NOT for you. If you want to worship someone, then it is NOT for you. If you want an easy road to black belt, then it is NOT for you. If you want the instructors to spice up every technique by saying this is Koppojutsu, Taihenjutsu or Tachi Waza, then this system is NOT for you.
However, if you want an instructor who is more of a friend, a peer and a coach - if you want to work hard for you skills and earn a real black belt, if you want to avoid the politics and actually become a real participant in the organization, if you want realistic training with the real guidelines and a system from white to black, if you want this and programs that real martial artists can afford, then the Martial Science IS for you.
For everyone else, there are plenty of schools to choose from.
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