How To Be a Ninja in Real Life? Modern Warrior Guide

Logen Lanka — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 14:43:02 +0000

The post How To Be a Ninja in Real Life? Modern Warrior Guide appeared first on Way Of Ninja.

How to be a ninja in real life? You’ve always wanted to move and fight like a ninja. But never thought it was possible because…

What’s more… you’ve even ruled out joining professions that are modern versions of what the ninja did… the army, special forces, and espionage.

What now? How do you still become a modern ninja?

Becoming a Modern Ninja – 3 Guidelines

1. Look beyond old manuals

While historical ninja manuals teach valuable lessons, we need to adapt them. Some techniques are bound only to the feudal period and are obsolete today.

For example, the Shoninki talks about reading a person’s character based on the number of teeth he has.

How practical do you think counting teeth is? Wouldn’t it be better to refer to body language (and behavioural psychology)?

Likewise, when you need to be stealthy in the woods and avoid disturbing wildlife, would you construct a flaming uchitake? Why not use a glow stick instead?

That’s why sticking to historical sources for the sake of tradition isn’t practical. Instead, include sources from modern disciplines to make your way of ninja better!

Note: If your goal is to experiment with ninja techniques as used centuries ago, then go ahead.

2. Keep it lawful, practical and realistic

Sure… sneaking around undetected while using fire (gunpowder) as a distraction might have been the modus operandi of the shinobi. But such skills serve no practical purpose for us regular folk. In fact, they might be a security threat.

Opt for warrior hacks that have uses in your regular life, and can be used against probable threats.

3. Be true to what you want

You don’t have to join a “ninjutsu” school to be a modern ninja. Go ahead and train in a variety of disciplines. Go for what appeals to you.

Be honest. These are some reasons you want to become a modern ninja – and it has much to do with pop culture than history.

You want:

Skills that seem to surpass human limits. (functional strength; movement agility; ability to fight)
The confidence and control (to influence the people you talk to)
To be aware of your surroundings, and know what to do in a threatening situation
To learn the mysterious techniques and philosophy of the ninja, and be immersed in an exotic secret warrior culture

So, work on the attributes you wish to have.

Become the best ninja version of yourself, and train the mind, body and knowledge.

Have a Mission & Purpose That’s Grounded in Reality

So, how to be a ninja? First, know your mission and purpose.

Modern way of the ninja

Mission: To be your best ninja-self in mindset, physical ability and knowledge.

Purpose: To have confidence and abilities to deal with any situation – regular life and threats.

Examples of situations (from threatening to mundane):

Know what to do if you get abducted
Avoid getting scammed when traveling
“Disappear” when approached by people you dislike
Interpret behavioural cues during a conversation
Appear confident during an interview

Sources of knowledge:

People with expertise, experience and/or knowledge
Modern tactics and techniques
Historical tactics and techniques (of samurai, ninja and other warriors)

So, moving on to training in the mind, body and useful hacks for the street-smart modern ninja…

Physical Training (How to Be a Ninja?)

Physical training helps you gain strength, stamina, obstacle movement and self-defense skills.

These skills give you the confidence to handle threats. For example: to escape group confrontations, and defend yourself and others.

Functional Strength, Obstacles & Movement

Traverse obstacles, run, climb and lift heavy objects. Muscular strength is not the priority. Fine-muscle control, endurance and movement technique is.

Examples: Parkour, street workout and rock climbing.

Martial Arts and Self-defense

Being able to defend yourself and your loved ones, builds your confidence. Thus, martial art training and de-escalation tactics will be useful to you.

Whatever art you choose, it has to fit your physiology, personality and psychology. For instance, if you have knee problems, avoid martial arts that involve kicking or seiza.

Mental Training (How to Be a Ninja?)

Mental ninja training can be broken down into:

your own mindset and self-development,
influencing another person (with psychology hacks)

Psychology, behaviour and body language (External)

Understanding another person helps you have better relationships, and influence others. It also enhances your ability to see disguised threatening behaviour.

The key is to read a person’s behaviour and match your response.

For example, in a hostile situation, victims tend to smile as a submissive cue. But this can trigger violence in an attacker; smiling can be mistaken as mocking.

Likewise, understanding a person’s way of thinking can help you turn an enemy into a friend.

Know-How & Street Smarts (How to Be a Ninja?)

Warrior know-hows are simple tips and tricks for random scenarios (you may encounter). It also covers survival, urban stealth and street smarts.

Cross-Training

Inverted wall and ladder combo (getting up) via Edwin Martinez

Already experienced in an activity? Awesome!

Try other activities that can complement your current training. This helps you can develop a diverse set of skills.

Of course, there’s no need to master everything. Due to time constraints, commit to one activity. Then, pursue the basics of other activities you’re interested in. If that activity is for you, get in deeper.

For example, if you do bouldering, consider getting basic self-defense skills; if you do Karate, try some beginner Parkour moves.

The idea is to be the best ninja-version of yourself (with consideration to your limits).

Traveling to Train

How does traveling the world to train (and connecting with peers) sound? How does going to the source of your martial art, movement form, or calisthenics group sound?

Everyone ultimately seeks a sense of connection and freedom. Being a ninja adventurer is going to be exciting!

History, Facts, Folklore & Inspiration

One of the reasons you want to become a ninja is their history itself. You can learn about the old warriors, their tactics and tools. And even, their folklore…

Takeaway – How to Be a Ninja in Real Life?

So, how to be a ninja?

Train in both obstacle movement, and fighting skills. Focus on practical hacks for regular life, and be prepared for conflicts.

By training physically and mentally, you’ll become your best ninja-self!

The post How To Be a Ninja in Real Life? Modern Warrior Guide appeared first on Way Of Ninja.

11 Reasons Why Becoming A Ninja is Your Dream

Logen Lanka — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 14:10:54 +0000

The post 11 Reasons Why Becoming A Ninja is Your Dream appeared first on Way Of Ninja.

Why are you obsessed with becoming a ninja?

For generations, the ninja have captured the imaginations of people around the world. But a lot of what we love about these warriors is distorted by folktales and pop culture.

Nevertheless, here are eleven valid reasons why many of you have thought about becoming a ninja.

1. Spies with exotic ancient secrets

Admit it! Hollywood spies are cool. But ninja are way cooler, maybe because of their ancient secret training that seem more formidable and exotic.

2. Human ability – no need for gadgets

The emphasis on human ability – rather than gadgets – makes the ninja all the more impressive.

What could be more awesome than warriors that rely on pure human ability for their missions? Using their wits, strength and techniques, the ninja seldom carried gadgets that would raise suspicion on their identity.

3. Superhuman senses and abilities

Becoming a ninja means pushing human limits on awareness and physical abilities. Scaling a castle wall? Running impossibly long distances without stopping? Detecting presence in the dark?

Image via Steven Rolland

4. Supernatural ninja magic

The ninja were rumoured to use supernatural abilities during unavoidable battle: summoning storms or fire, reading a person’s mind and disappearing at the blink of an eye. You want to be able to do that, don’t you?

That said, supernatural abilities are nothing more than illusion, proper timing and extensive knowledge on things like gun powder, human psychology and predicting storms.

5. Art of stealth and invisibility

Being invisible and knowing how to get around undetected would be an impressive skill to have, wouldn’t it?

A ninja appears from the darkness via Vanessa Smith

6. Formidable fighting abilities

Ninja – according to Hollywood – are formidable fighters who can use unconventional tactics to take on multiple attackers. Pretty cool…

Ninja Assassin – photo by Juliana Malucelli (Warner Brothers)

7. Mysterious, Confident, Calm and Influential

Becoming a ninja is like being James Bond while gathering intel. Who doesn’t want to be mysterious, confident, calm-and-collected, and charming?

8. Jack of all trades – master of many

Unlike other historical warriors, ninja were not limited to combat. You want to be a master at many skills – martial arts, behavioural psychology, climbing, conversation, foreign languages and more.

9. Perseverance against all odds

There is nothing more life-changing than watching someone persevering despite having the odds of success against them. You admire the ninja’s motto of patient perseverance.

Image via Threthny

10. Superhero to the weak and oppressed

You want to become a ninja because they fought to protect the weak from the oppressive authorities. Though this is a pop culture myth, it feels good to be able to be a superhero to people who get picked on.

11. Anyone can be a ninja

Behind that mysterious mask is an average person who can do the extraordinary. You want to be that person.

What do you think?

Do you agree with the list here? Did I miss anything out? Leave a comment to let me know.

And here’s how to be a modern ninja in real life.