Ninja International&

Tesaihiryu NinjaPRESENTS

Teaching Ninja:The Learning Curve

Teach Tesaihiryu Ninjutsu

BY: Kellyn Henderson and Jay Horne

With

Bob Hagan

Copyright © 2009 Ninja International

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce

this work in any form whatsoever, without permission

in writing from the author, except for brief passages

in connection with a review.

Always consult a physician prior to starting any physical regimen.

Did you ever find it?What you were looking for…..?

As a child, this fire wells inside us, it tells us that we havesomething special planned for our lives.

Did you ever find out what that was?

Or did you let it fade-And accept yourself as just another somebody?

Book One

Tesaihiryu Ninja was developed over 15 years after its’ firstthree members began at their homes back in 1990. The art sprangup in the light of each person’s individual acts of expression. Justas Picasso could lead you to the canvas, teach you brush strokes,and provide you with the right palette, he could never provide youthe inspiration that made his art world-renowned. It is the sameway with martial arts. We strive to bring the ART back to theworld.

The Jonin began his martial arts debut at 5 years old.Raised in seclusion in the mountains of Japan by Master Shinotsu,he was later sent to China to live at the Shaolin Temple. Atfifteen he moved to America on an exchange student program andchose to remain here after meeting two American martial artists inAtlanta Georgia. Seeking to bring an ancient art to a modernworld, they dubbed themselves Chunins and moved to create asystem whereby they could bring this legend to life. Choosing tokeep their identities shrouded in mist we have been passed downthe honor to present to you your first volume of tactics. Subsequentvolumes will generally consist of the same layout.

First, will come a section of general information fromvarious practitioners of Ninja International. It will provide anoverview of Ninjutsu. Section two will provide a transcripted copyof the lessons, which have been performed in the field. These arewritten formats of lessons carried out by Chunin of NinjaInternational at some given time. Each lesson is transcribed (keptin writ) for numerous reasons. One, being to notify the homepractitioner of the general direction in which the Clan is moving.Whether you utilize these descriptive lessons to teach a futureGenin or to only train yourself is up to you. But, remember, there isno better learning than to teach! Written copies are also kept onfile as books for future generations to fall back on.

Third, you will find definitions of tactics that may beutilized in the field, were a mission to arise. Use these in

conjunction with the provided sample mission plan to train as ifyou were selected.

Section four is a straightforward list of movements broughtto you by Genin of the clan that practice from home, and theirdefinitions. These tactics are experimental and are intended toprovide you with an array of choices for your particular style, foreveryone is unique.

Lastly, you will find a section that is designed to help youlearn the terms you will need if you are to be plunged into a NinjaMission suddenly. Knowing these terms will be the only way foryou to communicate during espionage.

TRAIN WELL

Introduction

Now that you have decided to take up this endeavormentally, you must begin by showing your commitment andplanting it in your life in a physical sense. You can do this by firstdeciding to treat your body well so that you may advance yourselfas quickly as possible. During your time here you will completelychange your life and enhance your disposition in the world. Youwill move up the scale of awareness until you are conscious ofbeing, what some would call, better than the average man and ofcourse from there you will move on as well.

If you wish to attain success as a martial artist you mustbegin to put the idea to the forefront of your mind. This will alsohappen of its own accord if left unattended, but if your point beingis to become the best you can become, that can only happen byattending fully to the point at hand. Only when you have decidedwith a whole heart to pursue an endeavor can the best ever beachieved. For if not wholly, then what? There will always be thepossibility of another spending more time on the same endeavorand achieving better results. This, in NO way, means to hastenyour pace in life. But, Only, to be wholly and continually aware ofthe task at hand.

So, if you are here to enter into training, then enter into it.A person in training helps the body along by not entering toxinsinto the body or overindulging. This will save precious energypreviously used by fighting unnecessary illness digestingunnecessary foodstuffs.

This is just an example. There are many things I have donepersonally as I have grown as a martial artists and Gnostic.Ultimately though, this whole vehicle of learning is not aboutlearning the martial arts, but about bringing to you the

means to teach it. Everyone has in them the answers to theirquestions and only you can decide what answer you really wantto hear. That’s really what it is about. We are here simply to bringyou to your awareness of it. Most great martial artists learnedfrom their teachers, and them from theirs. But somewhere downthe road, one of the generations had to come to their knowledge bysome form of divine inspiration. This inspiration, I believe, reachesto infinite and touches everyone. So it is not a question of who ischosen to be given that inspiration, but rather who chooses toaccept it.

In establishing these grounds, I believe it is time to begin.We will have plentiful discussion in due time. Having said that,

“Hajime!”

Sugar is similar to fat. After processing it likes to stick to theinside of your skin and to the outside of your muscle fiber. Making

a layer in between the two.Notice how a newborns skin is nearly transparent over its’ muscle

mass. Not until the introduction of sugars and fats do the finedefinitions begin to disappear.

Cutting the sugar and fats, will bring back well-hidden definitionin less than 2 months!

The body needs sugar to metabolize, but you get plenty of sugarfrom fruits and healthy foods for energy.

Beware energy drinks and soda! They are PACKED with sugar,many times more than your daily value.

Book OneOverview of Ninjutsu

Shinobi Tactics and Strategy:

Shinobi are known for they're use of Innovative tactics whichcaused the concept of Ninja being Oni (demons). And Strategy soeffective it allowed a single opponent to take on many despite beingthe weaker, slower and less skilled. I will present a couple basictactics and explain how to use them in cooperation with jutsu tocreate and apply efficient and effective Strategies.First, one must know the difference between "tactics" and"Strategy".

Hierarchy:

Techniques are the jutsu for which one uses such as striking,grappling or weapons.

Tactics are way we use our techniques. Indirect and Direct beingthe two main ways to use any technique.

Strategy is the plan consisting of techniques and the ways to usethose said techniques, which are known as Tactics, to Achieve acertain objective.

Now, Shinobi RARELY ever use Direct tactics unless its whatwould be most effective against a certain enemy. Still, rarely.Shinobi are Indirect fighters who use Gurilla Warfare to achievethey're goals. Not run up, head on with a charge to defeat anenemy. They're basic tactics consist of.......

: Stealth- "to move around undetected and unseen with camouflageor costumes to blend into society".:Misinformation-"Info planted on purpose to give the enemy a falsesense of security or vice versa. Or, to make the enemy formulate anineffective plan of attack or defense".:Misdirection-"Leading the enemy one way while you go another".:Mysticism-"The use of accessories to cause what seems like magicor other worldly powers so the enemy is fooled and left with theconcept a Shinobi is more then just a Man. Basic Psychologicalwarfare which we will cover in the next book".

Strategy:

Along with the techniques u will learn and the tactics I havepresented, you must chose the proper of each to couple for effectiveand efficient strategies. Sun Tsu said "know your Enemy and Knowyourself and you will not lose 100 battles". However, One mustKnow they're ENEMY, SELF and ENVIRONMENT to trulybe as effective and efficient as possible. The use of the Environmentis and integral in overcoming and escaping the enemy.

Book OneLesson One

Some of you have previous experience in many styles, andsome of you have not. Either way, I will contrive to bring to yousamples of equal importance. Being that this is your first lesson inyour own style of martial arts, I believe it would be best to ask afew questions. Ask yourself- How do I feel in my body? Am Icomfortable in a healthy sense? Do I feel I lack cardiovascular ormuscular prestige? Are these things acceptable in my lifestyle?Do I need work on my flexibility? What type of movements am Icomfortable with? What are my strengths and weaknesses? Andmost especially: What are my interests?

All these things, in truth, everything, will affect your style.But past all of this we will eventually come to the questioning ofhow to perform techniques. Beyond that, perhaps how to makethose techniques faster. And even further along, perhaps how tomake those movements more natural. I am here to squire you alongthe most direct route to success, and coincidentally, the naturallearning by trial and error is not that route. Though it does play alarger role than you now realize. So let us begin where most wouldend. We start with becoming more natural. In order to attain anatural feel in the most trying situations you must first start byfeeling natural in idle situations. Naturalness comes from a pointof knowing that all is well. That all is as you would have it be. Sothis is the mindset you must first observe. During daily activity beaware that all is well. If you need a reason for all to be well, youcan recall to yourself that this exercise is part of your training.Relax yourself by observing the thought that you are in trainingand even stress cannot deter you from your awareness training.

To discipline the body is to feed the spirit. This lesson may seemsmall, but it is truly an enormous task to remain aware. Thislesson will come in time the most trying lesson of yourapprenticeship.

On to what is termed as virtue. Because our mind is alwayson our growth, our mentality needs time to absorb and regenerateall it’s done. The true martial artists’ time of rest is in the dojo.For when one comes to the kamize and bows, one is essentiallyacknowledging the release of his focus on his mental training ofawareness. Now it is time to focus physically on technique andsuch. When bowing out, the student refocuses his mind toawareness of his training. So essentially, when training, themartial artist will be least concerned with his training!

The bow in is traditionally done by placing first the left kneeto the floor then followed by the right then bowing deeply face tofloor to honor our release of our only form of stress (which also isour most important form of growth). Bowing out, is similarly a faceto floor bow and a reassuming of our code. The right knee isremoved from the tatami followed by the left. Notice here, whenwe bow in and out it is not simply rote repetition. The purpose ofthe action is to physically express our mentality. Nothingconceived can become real without experience. That is what we areup to here with our actions. For example: A bow in may beaccompanied by a long exhale and the feeling that stress is beinglifted from your shoulders. Entering into your place of trainingshould be as if entering into a safe haven and taking off your muddyshoes and raincoat at the door. And a leaving bow should beaccompanied by a feeling of assuming responsibilities with higherconfidence and rejuvenation.

This lesson runs us directly into the feeling behind everyaction we perform. Stances, for instances, have a very distinct feelto them. One does not simply assume a defensive posture unlessthey are in some mentality to defend them self. You do not putyour hands up to ward off an attacker, unless you have a feeling offear, or need to defend yourself. This mentality though, is exactlywhat needs be associated with the techniques. For if your naturalreaction when you are attacked is to throw up your hands then thatis exactly what you will do, no matter how many parries you throwin the dojo. But if you put yourself into that mentality and youtrain from there……. Now that will bring results! I hope you allhave absorbed this information and heed it accordingly.

Bowing Posture

Assuming Seiza

Rolling & Recovery

[Lesson ones instructions begin from seiza (on your knees,with toes tucked under, and hands on thighs). From here the frontroll is performed by bringing the left knee up and placing theoutside ridge of the left hand to the floor just inside the left leg.Then pushing off with the rear right leg and extending the arm asmomentum occurs. This technique will be repeated on alternatesides until all students are comfortable.] There exist withineveryone ley lines of form and force, which allow ki to flow freelythroughout the body. By rolling along the tiger and dragonchannels tumbling skills can be brought to harmony with thenatural workings of the body. These channels begin in the pinkyfingers and run along the arms, over the shoulders, diagonal downthe back, and out the opposing hind quarters.

Stretching

I must briefly mention stretching because you will need itthroughout the day, everyday. Stretching doesn’t need to bepainful, or an uncomfortable ordeal. Only push yourself to stretchdeeply when it feels right to you. The only time I feel it isabsolutely necessary to stretch is when you first rise from sleep. Itis important to wake up each morning and take a few moments foryourself. For there is nothing more important than your training,correct? It sometimes take time in the early hours of wakefulnessto remind yourself about what it is you are up to. Why did I wake?Ask yourself this question, and question yourself about how youcould make your waking up a training exercise. In the past I wouldget my students to come and get me early to tune myself toacknowledging people approaching. Today I will normally get outof bed and immediately go outdoors to do some light stretching.

Setting Up the Front RollPinky to the floor inside of foot

Other hand acts as a brace on the floor

Energy Flow During Tumbling

During my stretching I will wake up to my awareness of calmagain, and refocus myself on training. Even if you wake up late foran appointment, in an ill mood, it is always best to forget the timeand take a few minutes for yourself. It takes time to remember whythe stress is unimportant, especially when you first arise. [Stretchfor a few minutes freely; This also gives time for students toobserve you in your stretching and ask questions if they would like]

Endurance & Distant Running

Well now that we have all gone and stretched out, I couldnever pass up this opportunity to take advantage of the situationand suggest a brief run. [Group will run for two miles] Running,while not entirely necessary, is more than beneficial. For one, thecomfort in recognition of a technique is far better for long distancestretches, than the use of sheer will power alone. Running isbeneficial to the soul. For one notices improvement in hisendurance rather quickly when regularly jogging, and this gives thestudent a sure sign that something is happening. This positivereinforcement alone can move mountains in martial arts training.Also it is good for a release of pent up energies or anxiety. Ninjasoften had to run many miles on their missions and navigate usingtechniques passed down to them through generations. You neverknow when a good long run might be required, on a mission or not.[This will be spoken during the run. Speaking alone, if interesting,is likely enough to keep slow runners close to the front. Likelystudents will fear to miss part of what you are saying and keepclose.]

When running, the legsare generally kept out in front of the

body-an exception is during long

distances

Teachers:Between winds, at the point that is

hardest to break,A secret to increase the blood flow

is to tuck the thumbs in and pinch thethumbnails with the middle fingers of

each hand.

Meditation & Relaxation

Excellent, now we’ve gone and got ourselves all worked up!This is the perfect time to practice that relaxation we talked somuch about earlier. Eskay, Array, Yoin. Eskay is the restingposture, lined up as if ready to drill. Array, would be come to theposition of attention. And Yoin would mean bow. So we line upon Eskay, come to attention on Array, and release our highertensions when bowing on Yoin. Now we will assume Seiza. Thekneeling stance. We may lay our toes out flat for comfort andsettle down onto our haunches. Shoulders and back straight, as tomaintain balance, and head erect. The tongue is brought to touchthe roof of the mouth gently. Now our breathing should beseamless not erratic. In through the nose and out through themouth until you can close the mouth comfortably and continue.Focus on your heartbeat. Think it slowing down. Longer exhalesand shorter inhales. Notice how the breathing influences theheartbeat. Meditate on slowing down the heart and bringingyourself into the relaxation where you began before the run.Visualize yourself as relaxed until you assume that. [5 minutes willbe spent here meditating and slowing the heart] This is the key indirected meditation. To visualize as if it had already come to pass.

Closing

Eskay! This lesson may not have seemed trying enough fora lot of your students. But what starts small often times ends big.The giant oak is simply an acorn that held it’s ground. Besides, if itwas defenses and tactics that you were expecting today, then youhave all gotten your wish. For we have already practiced runningaway! A most notable defense!

[The far left in line will assume the center position to thekamize and state, Yo Ga Akeru! (The day is breaking) The farright will take his place as he returns to line and state, E Ke MaSho! (Let’s go!) and resume his place in line. The class will repeatafter the sensei, Ichizoku no sono Tesaihiryu. As the embodimentof the Gnostic, our conscious will guide us and our peace will againshelter us from the storm. Truth! All will take a knee and touchhand to mouth following the sensei.]

Dismiss

Book OneMissions Tactics:

Looking at the mission plan you can determine which tactics mayneed to be employed if you were to be called upon for missionassistance.You can see the start of the mission, designated by an X.

Necessary Tactics-Moving south:

Handsprings: Front/Front hand spring:Running forward the body is angled at the ground as in diving intoa shallow pool. This will give you the force necessary to propel thebody over an out. When the legs have moved over and past theupper body, the arms are straightened and the legs kicked out.Experiment with alternating feet forward during the initial dive.The key to landing any techniques is in concentrating on thefollowing technique. If the mind is off the tactic at hand it is moreeasily performed. For instance: When performing the fronthandspring concentrate more so on the front roll that will followupon landing the tactic.

Aruki: Stealth walking, sweeping and turning steps/The only way to become more proficient at aruki is to do it. (Butthat is the purpose of missions no?) Typically the pinky toe isplaced first in most walking or running applications (but sometimesthe big toe depending on angle). Either way it is always a good ideato place the smallest amount of surface area first to preventunwanted noise. The rest of the toes and foot are then lowered in arolling motion to the terrain. This can be practiced simply bywalking down a flight of stairs. The natural way to walk downstairs is basically the motion involved in shinobi aruki. All stepsevolve from this one basic principle. Notice when you walk down a

flight of steps the pinky toe touches first. And the rest of the footis rolled in to position as to prevent too much weight onthe ankle at once. Same principal in stealth walking. This is theShinobi Step.

The turning step is to ensure that there are no adversaries aboutthat may beware of your position. In turning the back foot shouldnever twist while in complete contact with the ground. Adjust therear foot so the toe or ball of the foot is all that is twisting whileyou turn. The less contact you have with the surface, the lessfriction. The less noise. Turn as you move.

To perform the sweeping step the front foot is used to clear highstanding weeds or brush away before placing the foot foradvancement. Also the weeds or grass can be pushed onto theirside and used to step on for a cushion across shallow streams or toimpede noise on rough terrain. Use the outside of the leg and footto sweep away brush while balancing on the back leg. Noticebalance is determined by placement of your head and buttocksabove the feet. Experiment to find your safe zones in balance.

Climbing: Shinobi/Shinobi Climb is the single most basic and most importantclimbing technique you will utilize while in the field. Not all treeshave abundant footholds, branches, and vines to help our Geninaccess higher elevations to establish position or concealment.Sometime the trunk of a tree is completely barren.These cases sometimes require a scaling technique we call theShinobi Climb. Utilized in South America, The Bahamas, andother Island territories to retrieve coconuts at times, the nativeswould use the soles of their feet and the resistance and pressure oftheir shoulders by grasping the backside of the tree trunk. Muchlike a monkey climbs a tree, Genin should grab the back of thetrunk (no larger than 2 feet in diameter) with both hands at equal

Shinobi Climb

Shift a foot up and then an armThe key is keeping pressure on

distance at about shoulder height. Place the sole of the footbetween chest and the trunk like performing a stamp kick and applypressure with the leg away from the trunk. The other foot movesinto position above the first utilizing the pressure the hands arekeeping toward the trunk and the feet are applying away. It takespractice! Remember the main rule on scaling any type of object:Always have three points of contact with the surface at any giventime! This means move a foot and then move a hand. Never bothat once. Experiment! We don’t want to be bear-hugging trees outthere!

Swimming: Side Stroke/Swimming long distance requires a lot of endurance unless youutilize the sidestroke. A very short distance can seem like forever ifyou are wearing full uniform and weighed down by a piece ofequipment. So it is recommended to seek help in the followingtechnique. Pointers on this:Only half of your head should be out of the water at anytime. I.E.Either one ear left or right, or either the face or the back of the head.This makes your overall buoyancy more equaled. Perform thesidestroke as follows. Try on your side on dry land first!Lie in the water on whichever side feels more comfortable. Thelower side of your head is in the water, your legs are close togetherand extended, and your toes are pointed. Holding your feettogether, draw your heels up toward your seat as far up ascomfortable. Move your top leg forward and your bottom legbackward with your knees bent, so your lower legs resemblescissors opening up. Snap your legs together in a scissor kick.When your legs meet they should be extended as in the startingposition. Extend your bottom arm ahead of you, palm downbeneath the surface of the water. Your top arm lies alongside yourtop leg. Sweep your bottom arm from its extended position downthrough the water. When it's pointed nearly straight down, bendyour elbow and sweep your hand up to your chest. Slide your tophand sideways through the water from your thigh to your chest.

The force of your stroke is transferred from your bottom hand toyour top hand. Sweep your top arm back down to the startingposition, pushing water down toward your feet, while extendingyour bottom arm forward again. Synchronize the timing of yourarms and legs so you're snapping your legs together at the sametime your arms meet at your chest. Glide at the end of each stroke.

Shuriken: 4 point/The Tesaihiryu clan is known for their utilization of mentalprowess. The four point shuriken helps play a role in our deception.The four bladed and pointed star should be constructed out of onesolid piece of metal. Starting as a perfect square and sharpeningfrom point to point on each side. A natural curvature will resultbetween points when machining is complete. A hole in the centerprovides for a more useful tool. The star can be concealed in thepalm easily with a single point protruding under the forefinger as itlies flat against the palm. This allows stabbing and raking actionsin close combat, and provides the Genin with throwing ability atthe flip of the thumb. SAVE YOUR OVER HANDEDTHROWS FOR STRAIGHT BLADES! Utilize the flying staras if pulling it from the belt and pointing to the target. Some find astep with the same side throwing foot provides accuracy anddistance. The key element to perfecting the shuriken is setting up atall target and aiming to slice the edge with a single throw. Whenthis is achieved, aim for a single point. Practice!

Book OneStraightforward Tactics

One of the most effective concepts I have learned in martialarts is CWCT, "Closest Weapon Closest Target".

To give a small example, take two fighters squared off, both inready stances with arms in the fighting position.Now take a minute to think where CWCT could be applied inthat situation, what would be the weapon on your body that isclosest to your opponent? What would be the closest part of youropponent’s body that is closest to your weapon? That is thementality of CWCT.

First lets start with the basics. Here we will list 30 basic moves,ranging from strikes, blocks to kicks.

Book OneJapanese Phrases for the Field:

1. Silence!

2. Let’s Go!

3. Stay!

4. Faster!

5. Wait!

6. Your target is there

7. Disappear!

8. Get ready!

9. How much further?

10. Come now!

11. Slowly

12. Appear!

13. Relax and enjoy!

1. Chinmoku!

2. Eke ma Sho!

3. Todo Maru!

4. Hayai!

5. Matsu!

6. Ga aru Mato

7. Kieru!

8. Jun Bi!

9. Dora Ga Rai No Kuri?

10. Kuru!

11. Osoku!

12. AW Reru!

13. Jikoku Sieto!

This Book is part of the Tesaihiryu Ninja Clan & NinjaInternational

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