| Within the realm of the Ninja's taihenjutsu, or | | | | And, since we never know what we might have |
| "body-changing art", there is a wide array of skills | | | | to deal with in the world, having the ability to |
| which allows the shinobi warrior to be prepared | | | | control the way we move our body from one |
| for just about any situation. And, even though | | | | point to another, quickly, safely, and effortlessly |
| practically everyone is familiar with the movie | | | | will ultimately give us the greatest advantage in |
| scenes depicting the Ninja rolling, leaping, or doing | | | | successfully producing the results that we seek. |
| other crazy acrobatics, few really understand the | | | | While there is virtually infinite possibilities in the |
| tactical and strategic logic and reasoning that lies | | | | types of situations that you might encounter, the |
| beneath the learning of these skills. | | | | Ninja's philosophy is to be as prepared as possible |
| And remember, we are talking about Ninjutsu in | | | | with the widest range of skills. That way, the |
| the context of the grander scope of | | | | chances of you encountering something that you |
| self-protection - the ability to protect yourself | | | | cannot either deal with, or at least reduce the |
| against "any" type of danger or situation - rather | | | | amount of damage potential from, becomes |
| than merely the physical act of defending yourself | | | | more and more slim. |
| against a human, criminal, attacker. | | | | So, as a brief introduction, here is the list of the |
| The Ninja's taihenjutsu skill sets taught to new | | | | minimum training within each of the skill sets |
| students for the purpose of "receiving and | | | | presented to new students progressing towards |
| neutralizing the force of the assailant's attack" | | | | Black Belt in the Ninja's self defense system called |
| include: | | | | Ninpo Taijutsu (aka Budo Taijutsu): |
| - Rolling | | | | - Happo Kaiten Ukemi - 8 Driectional rolling: Front; |
| - Leaping | | | | back; both sides; and left & right diagonal shoulder |
| - Breakfalls, and even... | | | | and hip rolls |
| - Special methods of walking and running! | | | | - Shi-ho Ten-chi Tobi - 4 Directional & Up & |
| Of course, the Ninja also has other skills within the | | | | Downward leaping skills |
| context of his taihenjutsu - like climbing, stealth | | | | - Suitemi Gata - "Sacrifice forms': Forward body |
| movement, etc. - but, for our purposes here, I | | | | drop; sitting and side "flowing" breakfalls |
| am limiting this quick overview to the concepts | | | | - Ninja Aruki - Ninja walking & running: "Natural;" |
| involving not being damaged by your opponent's | | | | for "sideways;" bent-knee walking and running; etc. |
| attack. | | | | Again, this list is offered as a place to start and is |
| The point is to have total control over your body. | | | | in no way a statement of "this is all there is. |