Martial Arts Training at Newbury Park Martial Arts Center

Our martial art sets up circumstances for you to really get a life experience. The student has to be willing to be open to this experience, and to “let the paint dry”—to take the time to test the result of the experience. A good student will reflect on the experience, attempt to recreate the experience- and be mindful of both results. This is why, in my opinion, the relationship between partners in the dojo is so important- you must feel safe enough to stretch your boundaries.

                                Perseverance and a strong spirit

Perseverance is having a strong will. Do you as a warrior have what it takes to endure a physical challenge? Can you overcome intellectual conflicts without breaking your spirit? This idea of perseverance is represented by our “nin” kanji in the To-Shin Do crest.

What is one way to practice the art of perseverance? How about starting close to home—or in the home. Apply code of action 14 to your day and see what you can produce:

                I work to build love, happiness and loyalty among all members of my family.

                I avoid putting temporary personal gain ahead of the welfare of those I love”

Once you have identified the need and desire for perseverance, and have a support system in place, we then look at the integrity and indomitable spirit of your life.

Can you continue to pursue that which is of the highest good for you and your family? Integrity will be an important piece of the puzzle; do what you say, say what you do.

Your task this month is to share how you have applied the perseverance with integrity  lesson this month by providing feedback on the following:

                “In my life, one person demonstrated the strength of integrity by……”

To-Shin!

New Training Possibilities
Today we have a mother of one of our youth students beginning training. We asked her why she decided now to start? What was the catalyst? She said she had always wanted to train, and this just seemed like the opportune time. She has watched the self defense curriculum, the meditations and the way in which the staff positively holds the students accountable,yet has each person stretch their boundaries. She doesn’t want to observe from the bench anymore- she wants in on the action.
Another kunoichi in the dojo- a true honor!

The Value of Decision Making Under Pressure
One of our white belts tested tonight for his first rank. I asked him what he enjoyed most about the test- he said he didn’t know what to expect, but being able to make a decision and defend himself was top. His previous martial arts experience had very rigid formalized lesson and movement.

The lesson of decision making under pressure is a key element to our To-Shin Do Ninjutsu. We can learn these lessons safely in each class, so the next time an unexpected stressful situation comes up – whether in the board room, on the freeway, or in a parking lot, we have experienced success and can re-created the feeling of success.

Our new yellow belt left the dojo with a beaming smile on his face.

Ninjutsu Training Myth- Black Belt Magazine(By Stephen K. Hayes – June 27, 2011)

Since authentic ninjutsu training was introduced to the Western world in the late 1970s, many false notions and erroneous impressions have grown up around the legendary shadow warriors known as the ninja. Many of these misconceptions have roots in fact but have developed as falsehoods over the centuries of secrecy that have surrounded the art. Many of the incorrect ideas have grown out of a lack of discrimination between truth and falsehood on the part of moviemakers and book publishers. Also, some of the negative myths are the direct work of those outside the tradition who felt they had reason to fear the authentic ninja legacy.

To uncover the truth behind the legends, check out Ninja Volume 5: Lore of the Shinobi Warrior by Stephen K. Hayes.

Ninjutsu Training Myth No.1: Ninjutsu is the dark side of the martial arts, the clandestine of stealth, intelligence gathering and assassination.

The art of ninjutsu was born of a unique set of cultural, political, religious and economic forces that played themselves out a thousand years ago in Japanese history. History’s authentic ninja were a counterculture society forced into existence by the shifting fortunes of feudal Japanese political and military conflicts.

Contrary to common misconception, the ninja were not unsophisticated and superstitious low-class peasants. The ninja were the descendents of powerful noble warriors who, through the inevitable workings of fate, happened to be allied in support of powerful warlords who ultimately did not succeed in the collection of battles that made up the war for supremacy. With the defeat of their side’s cause, these noble warriors were forced into lives of exile, dwelling in the mountains stretched of wilderness to the south of the Heian-Kyo (new Kyoto) capital. These original ancestors of the ninja were barred forever from the professions of state administration, trade, military command and public service to which at one time they had successfully devoted their energies.

As exiles concerned with the rugged demands of survival in a harsh natural environment and a deadly political climate, the ninja families of south-central Japan were forced to alter their tactics and strategies to better suit their precarious status. In truth, no one wanted to be a ninja; such status was a burden inflicted by fate. The ninja were the “underdogs,” the oppressed hounded by a well-financed and mechanically ruthless government intent on stamping out any and all possible threats to its supremacy and control, Thus, subtle and shadowed means grew to take the place of the bold and forceful ways used by those people holding power. Because the ninja families’ numbers were so much smaller than those of the ruling powers that worked to eradicate them, intelligence gathering became a vastly more important task than troop drilling. With the very survival of the family at stake, the ninja warriors of Iga were required to devise a whole new approach to warfare, and the motivation behind that approach has been misunderstood for centuries.

For more #ninja gear, ninja classes and more, visit www.npmac.com.

This month we have explored our definition of success, looked at taking responsibility in our world and reviewed the importance of role models. Quite a month, don’t you think?
What part of the message have you enjoyed most this month?

Who have you looked up to as a real hero? Who has the qualities you admire and wish to emulate? This week we ask you to review who you have had as a role model, and ask others who their role models are.
Real ninja are real heroes! To-Shin!

This week we explore our personal power, as we take responsibility for what surrounds you in the world”. Take charge and choose wisely; be mindful to reduce negative influences in your life. Stephen Hayes says to take responsibility for what you have to do, where you have to be and who you have to spend time around.

                       The art of winning

We start our year with the concept of winning. What is winning to you? As a student of NPMAC, we encourage you to subscribe to the concept that winning is being successful and getting what you want and the world is a better place because of it.

Notice, we didn’t state that winning is beating down another person. Beware of martial arts that promote violence instead of intelligent compassion.

How do we take steps towards a winning life? We take responsibility for the world around us. Look at your friends, your work, and your passions. Surround yourself with positive influences.

 How have you seen the theme of “creating effects in our life” come to fruition in your life this month? What role models do you have in your life that can inspire you to live a winning life? How have you been a winner this month? Share your stories and inspire others. We look forward to exploring your discoveries!

 To-Shin!!

This month we reviewed the power of making the right things happen, how we can be bright protectors in our community and inviting more accomplishments into our lives.
Isn’t it great to be part of an art that has so much depth?
Newbury Park Martial Arts Center