Winter Training 1985

It was mid-winter 1985 in Boston, Mass. We were training in the knee deep snow, testing our Ninpo Taijutsu and Jujutsu.  I remember the cool crisp fresh air which was so refreshing that Sunday morning. We would lift our feet and lunge focusing on coordinating breathing with punching, jumping,and throwing. This format of training is called (Taihenjutsu and Taijutsu).  At times we would test our skills on some ice that we found on the open fields of the Boston area parks (never on ponds).  I had spoken with my teacher Mr Stephen K. Hayes and asked him about this type of training. Mr. Hayes gave us some tips and small drills we could work on.

Since we were practicing on ice this forced our bodies to balance and use core body control ,this changed our breathing patterns also. We were trying to find the right balance in movement and control. The footwork of Ninpo Taijutsu and Koryu Jujutsu were made for environments in which footing is loose or unsure. When I was kickboxing we had a flooring which was stable, dry and clear of debris which made training different. Additionally, in judo we had matting for falling and brake falling.

Ninpo Taijutsu is an excellent method of training for environments which are unpredictable or unstable. If you compare punching and kicking on a patch of ice to punching and kicking in a dojo with a controlled surface they are two entirely different experiences. In our everyday lives we encounter things which are unexpected and when you train with Ninpo Taijutsu this creates a system of built in reflexes which can deal with unexpected situations. It is important to remember that in the history of this martial art system it was used for protection and defense and not for recreation. Therefore, it had to be designed to deal with unpredictable circumstances.