To-Shin Do Martial Arts Training

An-shu Stephen K. Hayes' To-Shin Do martial arts training leads to the ability to live life fully, fearlessly, and freely. Ours is a thorough system of personal preparation for facing the kinds of conflict and opposition that can surprise us in the course of daily life.

To-Shin Do techniques are based on an ancient and well-tested system of warrior disciplines handed down by nine historical Japanese family lineages. At the same time, our training program is built around a very modern approach to handling the kind of threats and confrontations most likely in our own contemporary culture.

 

 

To-Shin Do is a reality-based system that includes techniques and strategies for dealing with:

• grappling, throwing, choking, and joint-locking

• striking, kicking, and punching

• stick, blade, cord, and projectile weapons

• successfully handling multiple assailants and surprise attacks

• overcoming psychological intimidation or bullying

Beyond the basic training that leads to Black Belt license in To-Shin Do is a collection of optional advanced courses including:

• methods for survival in hostile environments

• security protection for dignitaries

• how to instruct classes and run a school

• classical Japanese weapons

• meditation mind science yoga

SKH Quest schools are up-lifting places in which to spend time with friends who share your commitment to personal advancement.

 

LIFE-ENHANCING BENEFITS YOU WILL GAIN!

• Spirit of adventure

• Increased focus and effectiveness

• Invigorating personal challenge

• Skills of personal discipline

• Good health and fitness

• Increased energy

• Practical self-defense skills

• Sense of peace and security

• Heightened sense of self-confidence

• Insights into personal power

• Network of new and interesting friends

• Improved ability to communicate clearly and directly

• More options for successful choices in life

• Momentum of achievement in all you do

• Family closeness...

• for couples or for parents training with children

• ...and it's a lot of fun getting to feel so good!

We specialize in "the art of winning." Stephen K. Hayes' To-Shin Do mind and body technologies allow you to evolve into a tatsujin - a fully actualized human operating effectively in all areas of life. Explore and cultivate new skills and powers, and fresh ways of thinking.

We believe the ability to handle stress and crisis successfully is a skill, and that you can learn this skill. We look forward to working with you as your success coach as you advance to Unleash Your Potential!

 

To-Shin Do ® History

Stephen K. Hayes' To-Shin Do martial art was born of the historical legacy behind 3 important roots of Japan's ancient cultural heritage:

To - the sword

From the nin-po combat methods of the legendary ninja phantom warriors born of Mt. Togakure and cultivated in the wooded mountains and marshes of Iga comes the core of our physical protection techniques and strategies. To-Shin Do martial arts practice is a great way to reduce stress and increase strength, endurance, and flexibility, while fostering a sense of peace, security, and control in life.

Shin - the focused spirit of intention

From the rigorous kuji intention-channeling training of the shugenja of Mt. Yoshino comes the essence of our program for the discovery and development of the nine key qualities that characterize a fully actualized human being. We can achieve a more focused and disciplined understanding of the cause and effect dynamics that lead to success and fulfillment in life.

Do - the path to mastery

From the originally Himalayan esoteric mikkyo vajrayana mind and spirit sciences of Mt. Hiei comes the technique of cultivating our unlimited physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual potentials. We can learn skillful ways to transform the inner and outer challenges of life into success, and ultimately come to grips with the question of how to experience directly the significance of life itself.

Nin - Important Symbolism Behind The To-Shin Name

The Japanese written character for nin , of Japan's ninja stealth warriors and their martial art of ninjutsu, can also be pronounced shinobi . It is best translated as "stealth, endurance, perseverance, or 'putting-up-with'". Nin or shinobi communicates the kind of strength required to keep our eyes on the grander goal. We know what we need and we are willing to do whatever it takes to get it. We are not diverted, even when tempted to take on the petty affronts and insults tossed in our path from those who fear or envy us.

• The top portion of the Japanese letter character for nin is pronounced toh and means "sword" or "blade edge." This represents the martial arts technology we study to perfect.

• The bottom portion of the character is shin, pronounced sheen, and means "heart". This represents the resolute spirit needed to prevail over the negative forces that attempt to drive us to defeat.

Together as the one single character for nin, the To-Shin ideal reminds us of the miraculous power of knowledge and intention combined to result in spirited intelligence in action.

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Why does AN-SHU Hayes refer to To-Shin Do when he is most famous as the original American pioneer in the art of ninjutsu?

Ultimately, To-Shin Do is ninjutsu under a new name identity. Due to the bad image created in in late 1980s movies, and then downright silly presentations on the internet a few years later, Japan's ninja martial art was so misunderstood that the words "ninjutsu" or "ninja" blocked many people from even thinking of training with us. The image of Japan's authentic ninja had become so tarnished that it seemed time to bring in a new wave of understanding for the 21st Century.

The ninja arts have been misunderstood throughout Japan's history.

In the 1800s, Toshitsugu Takamatsu avoided awkward attention by referring to our ninja arts as happo-biken

In the 1900s, Masaaki Hatsumi came to call our ninja martial arts practice budo taijutsu

In the 2000s, Stephen K. Hayes refers to our ninja art as To-Shin Do, of which he and his wife Rumiko are An-shu directors of the Kasumi-An

At the heart of the martial techniques we teach is the depth heritage of the original Togakure ninja invisible warriors. SKH Quest students are introduced to the original ways of the Togakure ninja through training in the highly practical physical, mental, and strategic skills of To-Shin Do.

 

What is the difference between To-Shin Do and Bujinkan training?

To-Shin Do is best explained as a way of training for self-defense and personal development that embodies everything the Bujinkan has to offer, PLUS a whole collection of training methods and insights that are important for 21st Century American students.

Obviously, fights are different in modern America than they were in 1500s Japan. Masaaki Hatsumi has made it quite clear that it is not the job of Japanese masters to attempt to translate classical combat lessons into relevance for countries and cultures foreign to Japan. That is our job, and Stephen K. Hayes' genius is his ability to eliminate the need for all the guesswork when it comes to translating classical lessons into vibrant modern relevance. An-Shu Stephen K. Hayes has a unique ability to teach the classical exercises in ways that allow us to apply the essence of the kata to modern attack situations.

An-Shu Stephen K. Hayes has said for years, "To-Shin Do is the greatest tribute I can pay to my teacher Masaaki Hatsumi. Training with Hatsumi Sensei in Japan opened my eyes and heart to vast realms of warrior truth that were inaccessible in the martial arts scene of late 1960s America. After immersing myself in training with Hatsumi Sensei in the 1970s and 1980s, my inspiration was bubbling over. This stuff was incredibly valuable, and I was captivated by the idea of translating the gift of Hatsumi Sensei's lessons into a form that could serve my own culture and people back in America."