Dojo Searching

[Zamfoo]

Hello everyone i'm new to the forum and am looking for dojo to train, I'm 14 and live in Denver colorado. If anyone knows of any dojos in my area i'd love links

thanks

[Brad Ellin]

Try http://www.winjutsu.com and check his yellow pages link, you should be able to find something there.

[Zamfoo]

thanks for the link but atually all those dojos are kinda far from my house

[Brad Ellin]

Wel then, write to them and ask if there are any training groups in your area. Training groups are usually folks who train on a regular basis without a Shidoshi, but are under the mentorship of one. They try to train with a Shidoshi on a regular basis.

[Zamfoo]

wait a minute i think i found one and it's about 5 mins from my house. anyone know about www.coloradoninpo.com ?

[Brad Ellin]

Genbukan is what is generically classed as an "X-kan". It's an off shoot of the Bujinkan, but not affiliated with the Bujinkan. It is authentic, up to a point. I'm not up to snuff on the whole "x-kan" split up thing, maybe if Josh sees this he can educate us both a little more. But, personally, I'd try to find a Bujinkan group to train with. Of course, I am biased :)

[xplasma]

As I have said is other threads:

I have had GREAT expirence in both Genbukan and Bujinkan. I find that extremely similiar with some stylistic differences. If you are serious about Ninpo and Genbukan is only 5 mins away I would go there. The Only main difference I have noticed is that Genbukan is more strict about protocol and tradition. At least from my expirence.

[Zamfoo]

i've been searching for bujikan and actually can't find that meet my needs.

[Zamfoo]

thanks for the help guys. i'm also wondering about price. This school has a monthly fee of $99. I'm new to martial so i don't know how that compares. Can anybody help me out?

[SilentNightfall]

I pay only $30 a month for my training under Papa-san, Ed Martin. It is one day a week on a Sunday for 2 hours, which is plenty considering the quality of instruction. As far as the whole X-kan issue, I am not biased because of the fact that I belong to the Bujinkan. I am biased because of what I have seen, heard, and read about the head of the Genbukan. I never like to openly discuss what I know because of the usual replies I get discrediting every little point without proof so I ask always that people send private messages to me if they wish to hear this. Personall, Zamfoo, I would not want to be in an organization headed by Tanemura, but that's just me. If you absolutely cannot find another school, then so be it. Have you tried contacting all the dojos around you? Ask about both training groups as well as carpooling opportunities. Perhaps there is even a school near you that does not advertise on winjutsu. Try contacting another Colorado school to see. I travel about 45 minutes to class every week and plenty of people travel several hours so if you have to make a trek, don't let that discourage you. It will be well worth it.

[Solane]

$99 a month sounds an awfully steep price to pay. I use to pay £3.50 a lesson for 2 hours at my local leisure center that was the room rent. I trained twice a week = £28 a month roughly and then paid once for my yearly membership to the bujinkan and I think it was 2000 to 3000 Yen a grading for my certificate from Japan. Sorry cannot remember the yearly amount off the top of my head. Im from the UK by the way.

[xplasma]

It depends...

first Genbukan Dojos normally include everthing in there price. By everything I mean
"Gi, unlimited leason, Belt test including Black Belt, seminars, Genbukan membership, etc., a private dojo"

If that is the case, the $99 / month is a fine price.

[xplasma]

By unilimted classes, at least at my Genbukan Dojo in New York that could be 10 classes a month (40 classes/ month)

[Brad Ellin]

I'm fortunate. I pay my yearly Honbu fee ($50 USD) and my yearly dojo fee ($50 USD) and what ever my gear costs may be. THose can get expensive. But, my dojo fees entitle me to 3 days a week, 2 1/2 hours+ a session. Plus, I get to train with some of the most knowledgable, and wonderful people in the Bujinkan.

[Zamfoo]

yeah i'm trying to find out if the other costs are included in $99/month, but search for bujinkan training groups also

[Zamfoo]

btw $99 is for as many classes as i want to take that month. the lessons are mon-fri

[Zamfoo]

good news one of those dojos on winjutsu is near where i'm going to college still no news on training groups or anything

[KenpoDavid]

black belt magazine has a state-by-state dojo directory.

There is a chain in your area called "united School of Self Defense" or USSD. Even though they teach the same style as I study I have heard bad things about them in general, as a franchise, however you may find that any given dojo may be very good or very bad. Also nick cerio's web site lists some schools in your area.

I was in Denver recently and there are schools on every street corner it seems so pick one :)

[Zamfoo]

thanks for the info. i can't find anything on nick cerio's page maybe i have the wrong one. I'll check that mag tho

[SilentNightfall]

I'm not exactly sure, but I believe that David was giving you links to schools for a variety of arts and not just Ninjutsu. Again, I could be incorrect. He will have to clarify. If you are looking for Ninjutsu schools specifically, you can probably forget looking in Black Belt Magazine. There isn't anything in there that you won't find on Winjutsu.com. Better for both parties to clarify first. Zamfoo, you were just looking for Ninjutsu dojos, correct? And David, the links you provided were not for Ninjutsu schools, were they?

[Brad Ellin]

Hey Josh, 100th post.. :)

See ya next week...

[Zamfoo]

I'm interested in other martial but right now i'm trying just to train in ninjutsu

[KenpoDavid]

right, black belt magazine lists any dojo that sends them the listing fee... no evaluation or recommendations, just listings... I guess you could find ninjutsu in there if some ninjutsu school listed.

[KenpoDavid]

try this

http://members.aol.com/Genshirin/

[SilentNightfall]

I really hope so, Brad. I'm probably only going to be going for the training and not for the banquet and such if I do go, but that's all well and fine. I'm just praying that I have the means and funds to go. All depends on what happens in the next week and whether or not my funds must be used on something else. Might need a front end alignment and ball-bearing on my car. :( Hope it doesn't cost too much. If not, I'll be there for sure. Until then, my friend.

[Zamfoo]

I've seen the genshirin place it's a little far but what style ninpo is that?

[SilentNightfall]

Definitely not an authentic one, I can tell you that. Not unless they're willing to prove their lineage and historical links to ninjutsu with more than just a made up story.

[xplasma]

Actually Silentnightfall,

I would email them Zamfoo. I know a few ex-Genbukan Dojos that you can tell are Ninpo Bugei from the (Genbukan Ninpo Bugei). That how I found my new ex-Genbukan Dojo that way.

Basically say this.

" I am interested in your style of Ninpo. Are you inflated with Bujinkan, Genbukan, or Jinenkan?" If not, who are you inflated with? Any information would be appreciated"

[Zamfoo]

ex-genbukan?

[SilentNightfall]

If they are merely an ex-Kan dojo, does this not mean that they are no longer getting information and training from one of the three grandmasters? If such is the case, they are still not worth the time for they have cut off any means of themselves advancing as well as their students.

[Mattrello]

Excuse me, x-plasma, but... Inflated?!

[xplasma]

HAHAHA I didn't catch that
I mean Affiliated.

I will edit the post now (if I still can)

[Zamfoo]

well quite possibly because they are the only ppl that answer my emails it looks like i'll be checking out the genbukan dojo near my house. I really hope training is fun and useful

[flyingleopard]

Did You Ever Find A Good School? I Hope You Didn't Go To Ussd They Charge Around $175-$200 A Month.

[DafyddReed]

I know you shouldnt judge a book by the cover , but that webiste could be improved(maybe he send his time training and not website building though) aaaaaaaaywho enough if the politics train with whoever you want

[Zamfoo]

Wow what a relic of a thread. Yes I did end up going to the genbukan dojo found at www.coloradoninpo.com about the same time a friend got interested and we went there (he knew a student there). And I've continued training there for the almost 2 years inbetween. It's pretty awesome.

P.S. The site is a bit how do you say, lack luster but our sensei isn't an html wiz and the guy that does run it has a job so he can't just sit at home and make it sparkle and whatnot.

[flyingleopard]

Did you ever take any classes at ussd?

[Zamfoo]

Nope, they don't teach ninpo which was the only art i really wanted to do. I think they've moved their school out of Littleton tho, not sure if it went under or what.

I feel pretty lucky, first place i go is awesome and i continue that and plan on continuing at my dojo til i have to leave for college.