First post, many questions

[Kirberus]

Hello everyone.
First off, an introduction. I am new to Martial Arts Planet and to Martial Arts in general. I will hopefully be starting Bujinkan Ninjutsu in March(would start sooner but have a long vacation in february) and am looking forward to it immensly.

After looking for dojos in my area the one I have found that seems to be the closest to me is the Detriot Bujinkan Dojo(http://www.geocities.com/detroitbujinkan/index.html).
I am wondering if anyone knows anything about this dojo, ie: Is it legit, Is it good, where is it exactly(site was vague), etc.

Also. I am 16, 5'10", 190 pounds and am rather active due to DDR(Dance Dance Revolution). I have strong legs but a relatively weak upper body. Would you think that I would have any problems with learning ninjutsu?

I would also like for someone to give me a general idea about how long it takes to advance in rank(I don't necessarily want to advance quickly, I would just like an idea of how long it takes).

Thanks in advance to anyone who posts a reply.

P.S - Please don't be too harsh on me for being a noob :D

P.S.S. - For those of us who are sarcastically impared, the P.S. was a joke. :D

[Andy Murray]

Hi Kirberus,
welcome to MAP.

Hopefully some of the Ninjutsu people will be around soon to help you out with your enquiry.

Njoy.

Andy

[Jttuck]

I am not familiar with this dojo, so I can't tell you how legit it is. However, his web site does lead me to believe you will learn something. He links both the Warrior Information Network and the Bujinkan Dojo's web site. If you check the yellow pages in the WIN site you will find your particular dojo listed. This is a good sign. The instructor claims "accurately transmitting the authentic warrior traditions of Dr. Hatsumi Masaaki" and that he has trained under Dr. Masaaki and that he goes back to Japan yearly. He also claims that he is a 12th dan, which is a significantly high rank to be very impressive. I can't really speak to the instructors claims of rank or frequency and duration of training, but my guess is that you have little to worry about. You will learn a great deal. Once you start training you will find out how accurate the instructors description is. Enjoy your training.

[graf12]

come train with us, here's our website, www.taijutsu.us. And Sensei Fulton is the real thing, he's having a seminar later this month that some of our dojo is heading up his way for.

[Kirberus]

Thanks guys. Graf, I sent you a pm regarding your dojo, please read it and reply. Thanks again.

[Kinjiro Tsukasa]

Kirberus, don't worry about the relatively weak upper body in learning Ninjutsu. It shouldn't be any problem at all (and I should know! ;) )

[Kirberus]

I'm trying to improve my upper body strength but it is sadly progressing slowly( Hard to workout regularly while in the middle of high school with 2 college classes...). It's at least good to know that it shouldn't be a problem :D. Thanks for the post Kinjiro.

[Zamfoo]

Well as far as I've learned most of ninpo isn't about strength. Most of the techniques I've learned are simple leverage and don't take to much power. I believe I am the smallest or second smallest in the dojo but it hasn't been a problem.

Welcome to MAP and i hope you enjoy your training

[Brad Ellin]

This training group is legit. You should be quite comfortable training with them. As far as upper body strenght, don't worry. Ninjutsu (taijutsu) isn't about strength. Matter of fact, I'm always being told to be gentler. You'll be fine. Get started and then let us know how you are doing. As far as rank progression, each individual is different, there are no set in stone rules for progressing. It depends on you and the instructor. Heck, I took 21 years to get Shodan. But that was just me :)

[Kirberus]

Thanks for the reply Zamfoo. It's good to know that it mostly leverage and not focusing on strength. I still plan on trying to build some upper body muscle, for endurance and so I look more physically attractive, stuff like that, but now I don't need to worry about it as much.

[Kirberus]

I will either be training at the Detroit Bujinkan Dojo or the Dexter Bujinkan Dojo depending on how it works out. As I already said, I will focus less on upper body strength but I still want more. Thanks for the help kurohana, much appreciated.

[surreal]

not to hijack thread i think he got most of answers... If you need to lose roughly 150lbs should I just not bother with this type of thing until its lost? I've lost 100lbs so far in 6months so I could just wait another 6months maybe and I'll be around 250lbs... I'm just bored of walking only for exercise.

[Zamfoo]

Well it depends mostly on what you want to do. If you find a dojo that can be very active in training that may be a plus to the weight loss thing. I'm really not sure on what you think. I'd say try it out anyway then you can say. "I love this i'm doing this forever" or "This is exhausting i'm gunna wait 6 months" Good Luck with your weight loss and training