The first class of the New Year was on Saturday. Class began with a discussion of training elements and the theme of 2009. Within this talk we discussed the nature of shin (heart), gi (skill) and tai (body), and briefly considered the concept of sainou (ability), shin (heart) and ki (capacity). Where will the year lead us?

We then jumped into repetitions of the sanshin no kata, kihon happo no kata, and basic ukemi skills. I used this time to work with each member of our dojo, taking their strikes and throws – while practicing my ukemi.

Then we began a study of the Jinryaku no maki. Taking the lessons from my copy of the 天地人略の巻 (tenchijin ryaku no maki) we studied two-person variations including Ashi Dome, Ate Nage, Fudo, Gekkan, and Jigoku Otoshi.

Thereafter, we pulled out some mitts to practice using full body motion to strike with a punch and elbow combination.

I wish you all a Happy and Healthy Year. Train Hard, Live well.

Joe, Glenn, Fred and Don training.

This past Sunday, the Bujinkan New York Dojo was proud to host the 3rd annual Bujinkan Four Winds Seminar. Instruction was lead by Glenn Catania (shidoshi), Fred Feddeck (shidoshi), Don Houle (shidoshi) and joe Maurantonio (judan shidoshi).

Attended by about 21 people from all over the Metro NY/NJ area, the event shared lessons that were to help all Infuse Ninjutsu into their training. Topics included Controlling the Distance, Beyond Fundamentals, Intensity of the Tiger and the Sword of the Dragon.

It was a great time and after the training we all stayed around for pizza and snacks. Thanks to the instructors and the students for making it such a wonderful and insightful time.

An old monk and a young monk were walking through a forest when they came to a river bank and saw a beautiful young woman standing at the edge of the bank.

The woman told the monks that she was afraid to cross the river because she might slip and be carried downstream. She asked if one of the monks might help her across.

Now it so happened that these two monks were members of a sect which practiced celibacy. They had both taken vows never to touch a member of the opposite sex. But the old monk, sensing the extreme anxiety of the young woman, lifted her onto his back and carried her to the other side of the river.

The young woman thanked him and went on her way. The two monks continued on their journey, but the young monk was shocked and disturbed at having seen his older companion break his vow so nonchalantly. Finally, after three hours of walking and thinking, he could contain himself no longer and he burst out, “Tell me, old man, what did it feel like to break your vow of so many years? What did it feel like to allow sensuality to tempt you from your spiritual path? What did it feel like to have her smooth warm thighs wrapped around your waist, her breasts brushing against your back, her arms around your neck and her soft cheek almost one with your own? Tell me, old man, what is it like to carry such a beautiful young woman?”

The older monk remained silent for several steps and then said, “It is you who should tell me what it is like to carry such a beautiful young woman. You see I put her down three hours ago at the river, but you are still carrying her.”

Ninja Gaiden II

He said, “I guess so.” That moment made me think of this movie scene…

Mr. Miyagi: Now, ready?
Daniel: Yeah, I guess so.
Mr. Miyagi: [sighs] Daniel-san, must talk. [They both kneel] Walk on road, hm? Walk left side, safe. Walk right side, safe. Walk middle, sooner or later, [makes squish gesture] get squish just like grape. Here, karate, same thing. Either you karate do “yes”, or karate do “no”. You karate do “guess so”, [makes squish gesture] just like grape. Understand?
Daniel: Yeah, I understand.
Mr. Miyagi: Now, ready?
Daniel: Yeah, I’m ready.

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