Comments on: My First Vow on the Warrior Path

By: Travis Smith

Travis Smith — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 02:24:07 +0000

Thank you An-Shu I remember a similar situation like the others and you have stated except I didn’t freeze up. I was grabbed first and was able to throw the kid down who outweighed me by 10 lbs or so (alot for an elementary 3rd-4th grade kid) he then got up and i tried again but was thrown down , I was able to recover but when I attempted to go again I turned to see him and his three friends waiting.

I made the same vow to myself first and to others later when he began to do the same, mostly I was able to redirect his barage or take just enough time away for the other person to escape. I think this is why I have never realy been content in one style bouncing through many to try and find that right technique to fit situations so others or myself wouldn’t be put through my past situations again.

I hope to in the near future purchase your set of dvds and enroll in the home study course as you were my first introduction to a complete art, unfortunately there were no schools in the area, but through your books. I do have the Bujinkan (van Donk set) but I have a hard time relating to him and I don’t get the same feeling and assimilate the information as I do when I listen and watch you perform and explain the art.

Anyway thank you again you are a wonderful teacher and person.

By: Javi

Javi — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 23:44:23 +0000

I grew up and hung out with unfortunately, the BULLIES/Gangs!!! When I was a teenager I learned of a martial arts school that was claiming to teach the art of the Ninja! I thought to myself, this is great! Now I can learn how to seriously hurt, intimidate, and bully people. I was taking every ounce of training to heart. Then something incredible happened during my training. The urge to hurt, intimidate, and humiliate people was gone. I now had a sense of obligation to protect those who couldn’t protect themselves. I later became a Deputy Sheriff for several years. I can wholeheartedly say Ninutsu definitely changed my direction and has been a way of life for me for my entire adulthood. Shidoshi Hayes you have played a great part in the moulding of my life. I have studied several of your books and continue to do so. Unfortunately, there are no Bujinkan schools anywhere near my area. I am planning on making a trek up to your Dojo in Ohio. It would be an Honor to train with your Family.

By: Scott Rutherford

Scott Rutherford — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:51:47 +0000

I heard Marcus Luttrell, Navy Seal, make this statement on the radio today and I think it adds nicely to what Stephen wrote:

“There are those who call 911, and there are those who are 911.”

By: Frank Moore

Frank Moore — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 21:06:25 +0000

Shidoshi, I too have been in the position you spoke of. Later i won a fight with my mind by asking a bully to let me warm up a bit first. When i was ready he was running away. Two people went away that day sound of health, for “When two tigers collide neither wins, one lays dead and the other scarred for life.” I have never attended your seminars, dojo or met you in person after 25 years of learning from you. It is still my great wish to do so. Frank

By: Jeffrey

Jeffrey — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 08:43:27 +0000

You said, “A whip.”- and I said a placator.
You said, “A warrior”, and I said a slave.
You said, “A welcomer”, and I said an isolationist.
You said, “A wonderer”, and I said a ruminant.

Same person
Different life
1Xwkly Now?

By: steve siverling

steve siverling — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:33:14 +0000

Greetings,

Yes, I know the feeling well. When I was in elementary school there was a group of kids that liked to beat me up. Then when I was in high school there was a kid that liked beating me up in the Gym Lockers.

I was always wondering why I froze up when things like that happened to me. I blamed myself for not fighting back. I should have blamed the people abusing me. Looking back the reason I froze up was that my muscle memory wasn’t trained.

I will not let others hurt me again like that. If I ever have kids there going to learn martial arts in a young age. They won’t have to suffer like I did.

By: ce

ce — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:44:09 +0000

That sounds EXACTLY like my own middle school years and it’s nice to know the founder of the art I study shares one of my core motivations for said study.

Thank you.

By: Scott Workman

Scott Workman — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:11:47 +0000

Back in 1984 i went to the movies to see ninja 3 the domination after the movie i spent the next couple of days making fun of the movie then a friend showed me an article in a magazine(ninja) with Mr. Hayes even though i started training in other martial arts and it would be 14 years later before i would be lucky enough to train under Mr. Hayes that article back in 1984 changed the life path i was on and am still on to this day.
Thank you, Mr. Hayes

By: Chris Brown

Chris Brown — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:54:59 +0000

Thank you An-Shu.

By: Gary Hughes

Gary Hughes — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:37:27 +0000

Thank you An-Shu, you always inspire me and have a positive impact on my life.

With Gratitude – Gary