Ninja and Samurai Martial Arts Dojo

Archive for the ‘Blog’ Category

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Have you been thinking about martial arts classes for yourself or your kids? Could you use 3 months of FREE training? Just become a Poway Samurai Martial Arts Facebook Fan to enter our contest to win free training (up to a $300 value*)!

Here’s How It Works:
Login to Facebook (or quickly and easily create a free account) and go to the Poway Samurai Martial Arts Facebook Fan page. Click the button “Become a Fan” before Dec. 31, 2009, at 11:59 pm Pacific Time. While you’re in Facebook, post a comment on our wall telling us what you would do if you won the free training. We will select a winner at random on January 1, 2010. Winner will be announced on the Poway Samurai Martial Arts Facebook Fan page, the Samurai School blog, and the @bushidoguy Twitter page.

What You Can Win:
The Winner can choose from (1) one of the following (3) three training options:

1. Adults Basic Kobudo Martial Arts
   Kobudo is “Old Martial Arts” in Japanese. Students who take these classes find it fun, exciting and a great workout. In addition, the traditional martial arts training provides self reflection and this new focus and determination helps them succeed in all areas of their life, home and work. Three months of training is a $300 value!
2. Kids Martial Arts
   Kids ages 5 – 16 who take our classes find that they improve their focus and self esteem. They are not affected by peer pressure and can even get better grades in school, all while having fun in a supportive and safe environment. Your child may even discover leadership skills he /she didn’t know he had! Three months of training is a $300 value!
3. Qi Gong (Chi Kung)
   The practice of Qi Gong has innumerable health benefits. One area that effects most people’s lives is stress. Large amounts of stress to the body can cause “dis-ease” leading to poor health. Regular qigong practice can help prevent illness. Three months of training is a $180 value.

Just enter today by becoming a fan at http://www.facebook.com/PowaySamuraiMartialArts. We are the only martial arts school in San Diego teaching “Martial Arts with Meaning.” Come see how learning “Bushido”, the way of the Samurai, can change your life.

*Free training will occur at the dojo located at 13160 Poway Road. Uniforms and equipment (if applicable) are not included. Free training must be used before 1/31/10.

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Poway Samurai Martial Arts has teamed up with KOHunger.com, a national coalition of martial arts schools who are committed to help end hunger in their own communities. Residents of Poway and San Diego are encouraged to donate a can of food to receive one free week of martial arts training.

Being of service to others is a key part of the training at Poway Samurai Martial Arts. Participating in the KOHunger program fits in well with our philosophy and is why we decided to help and offer the free week for a good cause.

The offer of one free week of martial arts classes is available until Dec. 18. All proceeds will be donated to the San Diego food bank (sandiegofoodbank.org). Those who make donations can redeem their free week of classes for any program, any time before January 15, 2010.

Residents can train in unarmed and sword martial arts as well as Qi Gong classes for health and wellness. Poway Samurai Martial Arts trains in the classical unarmed and weapons training of the samurai, which includes the traditional virtues that can help strengthen all areas of a person’s life and the philosophies of service to others.

For more information or to make a donation of dry and canned food items, you can call #858-486-0059 or stop by Poway Samurai Martial Arts at 13160 Poway Road (in the Library Plaza).

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There’s no need to get stuck in long lines at the mall on Black Friday, just call Poway Samurai Martial Arts and get great deals on gift certificates for martial arts and Qi Gong (Chi Kung) training, now, through 12/18/09. As part of our “Best Holiday Gift Ever” promotion we’re offering some incredible prices on martial arts training just in time for the holidays and New Year’s resolutions. Martial Arts classes make great gift, especially for that hard to buy for person who has everything.

If you’ve ever been considering martial arts classes for yourself or your kids, you owe it to yourself to consider Poway Samurai Martial Arts. We teach traditional martial arts with modern world applications from ethical instructors who really care about the origins of the training. Our teachings come directly from the ancient Samurai scrolls and those who train with us find that learning about Bushido (The Way of the Samurai) changes their life. At Poway Samurai Martial Arts, “The Difference is in the Tradition!”

Best Holiday Gift Ever Offers

Adults Basic Martial Arts Class: Only $49.00 for 3 months (regularly $300!)*.
Kids Martial Arts Class (ages 5 – 16): 1/2 price or 2 for 1 when you buy 3 months (regularly $300).*
Little Ninjas (ages 3 – 5): Save $50 on an 8 week session (regularly $150)*
Qi Gong Class: 1/2 price or 2 for 1 when you buy 3 months (regularly $180).*

*Equipment and uniform costs are not included. While supplies last. Certificates must be redeemed by January 15, 2010.

These special prices will not be offered again, so, call today and take advantage of our Best Holiday Gift Ever! You’ll be glad you did.

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Here we go again, a new movie about ninja martial arts is coming to the big screen and from the previews it looks to be an action packed ride of a martial arts movie. It also looks like it is going to be a fictional work with all of inaccuracies that modern practitioners of ninjutsu have to explain the truth about when students inquire about such training.

The reality is that there really isn’t very much legitimate ninjutsu around anymore. There are some traces in a few koryu (old school) Japanese martial arts and there is only one recognized unbroken lineage of a “ninjutsu” school still in practice, the Togakure Ryu, which I teach (although depending on who discusses the matter, there is debate on this too… but then again we are talking about ninjutsu so this is to be expected I suppose).

While teaching this school, among others, a lot of new students or even just casual inquirers have come to believe the “Hollywood” stereotype, based on the more popular Japanese anime and comic book portrayals, is the truth. The most gratifying return, for me as a practitioner and instructor is how well received the real training is once a student gives it a chance. Like most mythology, there are grains of truth as the seeds in the myths but understanding the reality vs. the fiction offers a very unique perspective on martial arts training and in life in general. It would be way too difficult to go into every detail of such a discussion of truth and myth in a blog but I am always willing to discuss these things in detail. If you are in the greater San Diego area feel to come and visit.

If you like a good martial arts movie with lots of “ninja” action, go see the new film Ninja Assassin. It looks like it will have plenty of it. If your motivated about martial arts and ninjutsu training, before or after seeing this film, feel free to contact me. If you do not live in San Diego, I will help you get in touch with a reputable instructor in your area.

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A couple of times per year I offer a customized class for women that covers not only self defense tips but touches on some critical awareness tools and some of the most common and current methods used by predators. I call this class “Tools for Personal Safety for Women.”

This class is never more important than during the holiday season. It gets dark earlier and there are lots of shopping trips and very busy stores and malls. It is easy to get into a rush to go from one place to another or one store to another. That’s why it is important to recover some things you perhaps already know and learn some new tools to keep yourself and your children safe this holiday season.

This course is unique and will cover some tools that are not taught anywhere else and I have been told by past participants how useful and how different this course is from any other self defense course they have taken.

I always enjoy meeting people and getting good critical feedback on this course and am looking forward to teaching it again this December. Read this for more details on the “Tools for Personal Safety for Women” class and see testimonials from past students.

March Women’s Self Defense Class Details:
Cost: $30 per person. SAVE $5 when you BRING A FRIEND!
Date: Sunday March 21st, or Sunday March 28th, 1 – 4pm
Where: Poway Samurai Martial Arts located at 13160 Poway Road Poway, CA 92064 (In the Library Plaza)

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As seen on KUSI, Fox 5 and CW6.

Women: If you want to learn how to keep yourself safe, you must attend the “Tools for Personal Safety – Women’s Self Defense” class. All women should learn a basic knowledge of self defense in order to protect themselves and their children.

Do You Know How to Stay Safe in Today’s World?

• What would you do if an attacker grabs you from behind?
• If someone has you pinned to the ground against your will?
• Or, if a stranger approaches you asking for help?

In this class you will learn not only basic physical strategies and techniques, but how to avoid and evade dangerous situations by improving awareness of your surroundings.

Who Should Attend?
This class is for any woman who:

• Drives or travels alone
• Trains at a fitness gym
• Shops at the mall or grocery store
• Gets children in and out of the car
• Runs errands alone
• Exercises in a residential neighborhood
• Enjoys happy hour or a night out with the girls
• Works long hours leaving after dark
• Is a student walking alone on a College or High School Campus
• Is a Mother, Daughter, Grandma, Aunt or Niece… EVERY woman can benefit from this information!

A great class for mothers and daughters or a group of friends, students or co-workers to take together. They will thank you for it! Please wear comfortable clothes.

Testimonials:
“This class scratches the surface of the basics any woman needs to know to avoid confrontation or safety compromises and how to get out of some basic common scenarios that happen every day by predators. It’s a must!” Mindi L., San Diego

“I learned the power of leverage, not strength. The techniques were simple, do-able, and I came away with usable ideas. This valuable class gives details on how “predators” think and practical skills to any woman that wants to increase her arsenal of tools. She will feel safer and be safer in today’s world.” Nancy C., La Mesa

March Self Defense Class Details:
Cost: $30 per person. SAVE $5 when you BRING A FRIEND!
When: See current 2010 Women’s Class Schedule
Where: Poway Samurai Martial Arts located at 13160 Poway Road Poway, CA 92064 (In the Library Plaza)

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We’re so excited to announce our new location at 13160 Poway Road in the Library Plaza. We’re already getting to know our new neighbors very well. In celebration of our new venue we are holding a “Grand Re-Opening / 2 Year Anniversary” event on Saturday, November 21st from 1 – 4pm.

If you’ve ever been considering martial arts classes you owe it to yourself to attend our free event for your chance to win prizes and giveaways! We’ll have wonderful Oriental and Green Tea provided by Blisssville.com throughout the day as well as demonstrations and personal safety tools from the classes we offer.

Those in attendance will have the first opportunity to purchase gift certificates at reduced rates, as part of our “Best Holiday Gift Ever” promotion!! Just in time for the holidays and New Year’s resolutions, Martial Arts classes make a GREAT GIFT!! Just $49.00 for 3 months of the Adults Basic Program (regularly $300!)*. Kids class (ages 5 – 16) and Qi Gong certificates will be offered at 1/2 price or 2 for 1 when you buy 3 months.**

Here’s the schedule of events:

1:00 pm Doors open
1:30 pm Giveaway
2:00 pm Tools for Personal Safety Demonstration
2:30 pm Giveaway
3:00 pm Qi Gong Demonstration
3:30 pm Samurai Sword / Kobudo Demonstration
4:00 pm Giveaway – 3 Months of FREE Training in the Adults Basic Program*! A $300 Value!

Why The Samurai School? Our classes teach Leadership, Teamwork, Discipline, Fitness and Focus to Adults and Kids. We also offer Qi Gong classes for health, vitality and stress reduction. Get fit and be healthy without the repetition of a gym and gain some practical real self-defense tools and skills. Learn more online at: www.theSamuraiSchool.com and see why “The Difference is in the Tradition!”

We look forward to seeing you there!
Tony Whetstine (The Bushido Guy)

*Equipment costs are not included. Must be redeemed by January 15, 2010.
**While supplies last. Best Holiday Gift Ever promotion ends December 18, 2009. Certificates must be redeemed by January 15, 2010. Call for details on reduced rates for Little Ninjas classes (ages 3 – 5), now forming.

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Last year I was fortunate enough to participate in the first Southern California Martial Arts Convention in San Diego, CA and it was a great event.

I will be doing so again this year. This is a fantastic event not just for exposure to different styles of martial arts and related items, but in the ability to share similar and different thought processes about martial arts.

From tournament martial arts to MMA to traditional styles there is the ability to meet many wonderful people and just have a great time. I hope to see lots of my new friends from last year again and make many more new friends at this years event! To learn more about this years event, taking place again at the Del Mar Fairgrounds on November 7 – 8, 2009 visit scmaconvention.com.

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What does the Art of Winning mean? There are a lot of different ways to decide what this means personally to any one individual. For some getting a trophy or contest of some kind means winning. For others, this can mean having great material success, having lots of money, multiple houses, etc. Still for some, the Art of Winning is having a happy and fulfilled life, and this is as different from person to person as can be.

So how does this pertain to Martial Arts training? Well some instances are more easily understood than others. Being involved in a style that promotes fighting and titles, like Mixed Martial Arts, gives an easily understood example. Being in a style that promotes tournament competitions, via sparring, kata, etc. also are easily recognizable.

To me, the Art of Winning and the lessons around that are to help others find what their “WIN” is and help them develop the tools to get there. I have more than once referred a potential student to another school because of what their goal or “WIN” was. Some wanted to be involved in cage fighting while others competition judo. There is nothing wrong with these “WIN”s if you will. There are just better places for getting there. Still for the majority of students I have crossed path with, the “WIN” for these students is not about material things or temporary achievements. It is about growing, either their discipline, their fitness, developing better self protection skills, being more centered and aware, among others and traditional schools are better for these goals. That is not to say that there isn’t overlap a traditionally trained Martial artist can be as effective in a fight as a “trained” fighter. A trained fighter can find other things through their practice as well.

From my experience, some of the most important lessons in traditional martial arts is all about just “being there” and learning the tools that can help each student find their “WIN,” so they can achieve what is important to them.

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Despite the fact that Qi Gong (or Chi Kung) has been around for nearly 4,000 years by some estimations, there is still tremendous mystery and misunderstanding. What is accurate is that scientific measurement and medical trials and research have only in the last few decades even began on the subject, especially here in the U.S.

What is often overlooked as more research is done into qigong and its health benefits, is that at its most base level, there is very little disagreement from eastern or western medical practitioners that this practice can increase range of motion, help induce relaxation, improves blood oxygen saturation which can help boost the immune system among other things, and improves joint flexibility and resilience.

For more information on qigong and recent research, here are a few good links:
American Journal of Chinese Medicine
Oxford Journals
Qigong Research
Feel the Qi

I encourage people of all ages to find a good qigong instructor and give a few lessons a try! Our classes are every Saturday at 9:30am. Please join us!

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