Our art is called Budo Taijutsu. "Budo" translates to "Warrior Way"; "Taijutsu" translates to the "skill or art of using the body." It is often called "the art of timing and distancing," because that is the area of concentration of much of the training. We learn to sense and manipulate timing, distancing, body movement, and footwork to defend ourselves. We learn not to rely on strength or speed, but to rely on natural relaxed body movement and footwork. Our training generally falls into the following categories:

•Ninpo Taijutsu: the Ninja's unique methods or skills of using the body. This includes "getting out of the way," dodging, leaping, jumping, rolling, diving, and special ways of striking, standing, walking and running, etc.

•Taihenjutsu: "Body changing skills" This includes all of the rolling, leaping, falling, and distinctive body movement skills that are a part of our traditions.

• Koppojutsu: Methods of attacking the body's bones, joints, and skeletal structure.

• Kosshijutsu: Methods of attacking the body's soft tissue targets and organs, which includes pressure points and nerve bundles.

• Dakentaijutsu: methods of striking the body. In the course of the training, we will learn the "Sixteen Striking Treasures," the 16 different body weapons available to use, along with principles for their use.

• Jutaijutsu (Jujutsu): Methods of grappling with the body.

• Happo Bikenjutsu: "Eight Way Secret Weapon Skills" Methods of using weapons. Over time, the student will train with more than 20 weapons, including modern applications (modern knives, firearms, etc.).