| CURRICULUM AND TRAINING |
Curriculum and Philosophy
The training program at the Lehigh Valley Bujinkan Dojo is one of the most comprehensive curriculums offered
in this martial art system. The techniques and principles covered are compiled in an organized manual derived
from several decades of study, collaboration, guidance and of course training by Shihan Kyle Hayes of the
Bujinkan Orange County Dojo and Shihan Robert Johnson of the Bujinkan Indianapolis Dojo. The years of
sweat, discipline, discovery and frustration that have gone into developing the pages of this manual are
invaluable and cover techniques and information from those years of training in Japan with Soke Hatsumi and
the Japanese Shihan.
This martial art system, like the Ninja themselves is an enigma and a puzzle that can only be learned and figured
out through years of physically training in it. Often times, people simply move away from the techniques of the
densho (scrolls) to "do their own thing" or "just do henka (variations)" and aren't even aware that, this is not the
way that they train in Japan. At the Hombu Dojo in Japan, they practice the techniques of the different lineages
from the densho and have a specific way that they introduce variations and usually even a certain number of
variations. It is critical to learn the kata (techniques) both in order to really learn the hidden principles that are
the real essence of the martial arts, but also to gain an understanding of the nature of the lineage and in most
cases, the heritage and culture of that period in Japanese history - all of which had a direct effect on much of the
warrior arts.
At the Lehigh Valley Bujinkan Dojo, training is conducted and constantly refined to stay in step with the Bujinkan
Orange County Dojo (our "Sempai" dojo) in Southern California which in turn is a direct reflection of the training
and teachings of the Hombu Dojo in Japan, under Soke Hatsumi . Typically the first hour is considered "practice"
and is dedicated to reviewing, refining and practicing the basics of rolls, breakfalls, leaps and strikes (the
"sixteen fists"). Part of the purpose for this part of class is also for conditioning. Many martial arts dojos of today
focus only on doing techniques and not breaking a good sweat to condition the body. Anyone who has gone a
few rounds or so in the real world on the street or in battle can attest to the drain on a person's energy. A fit
body is important but even if you are not fit, it is something to aspire to and our dojo's training will definitely help
in this area.
The second hour of class is dedicated to learning various techniques (both armed and unarmed) for whatever
kyu or dan level we are covering or which lineage we are focusing on during that class. This part of class is
referred to as "training" and it is here that the basics from the first half of class really help the student's
movement (taijutsu) come alive. The formal techniques are a way and means for students to thoroughly delve
into this profound martial system and develop an exceptional base for continuing their studies over their lifetime.
The philosophy at the Lehigh Valley Bujinkan Dojo is to focus on the journey of training - NOT a destination of
"being good" or "getting to the end". For the true seeker with a warrior spirit, this training is about life and lasts
for the entire lifetime with always something new to be learned. People with a violent or malevolent attitude or
any kind of ego issues are not allowed - this includes but not limited to those individuals who continue to fixate
on fighting, becoming tougher than everybody else and those who seek martial arts for violent means. It is
discouraging how much petty debate goes on over the internet regarding which martial art is the toughest when
in the end, there will always be someone somewhere tougher than you... Clearly these people have lost the
essence and are not the character of students trained in our dojo. Only people with good hearts and good
intentions are permitted into our training hall. We help each other train and progress along this challenging path
in a friendly, positive atmosphere.
Nature/Survival and Military Training
Training is also currently offered in outdoor survival techniques by way of harmonizing with Nature NOT
fighting Nature as well as military strategy and tactics learned by Sensei Norton as a U.S. Marine Captain. Sensei
Norton has also completed the training program, Standard, of renown survivalist, Scout-Tracker Tom Brown Jr.
and has regular outdoor primitive survival and tracking classes/camp outs to expand upon the Warrior skills of
survival taught in the dojo. A true Warrior is not about winning a "fight" but being able to survive. To truly
understand and harmonize with the principles of Nature, one becomes a truer human being and survival
becomes not a way of denying oneself but instead a way of comfortable living.
Training Times
Regular Training is conducted Monday, Wednesday and Friday 7-9pm.
Students are required to bring a positive attitude, an open mind and sincerity. Egos can stay home. Prospective
students are also required to view one training session and meet personally with Sensei prior to beginning
training. MINIMUM AGE FOR TRAINING IS 15 YEARS OLD AND ANY STUDENT UNDER 18 IS REQUIRED TO
OBTAIN WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN. This is combat oriented warrior
tradition with frequent exposure to battle techniques armed and unarmed and thus requires a certain level of
maturity, safety, common sense and good hearted intention. The absence of any of these factors will result in an
immediate termination of training.
The training program at the Lehigh Valley Bujinkan Dojo is one of the most comprehensive curriculums offered
in this martial art system. The techniques and principles covered are compiled in an organized manual derived
from several decades of study, collaboration, guidance and of course training by Shihan Kyle Hayes of the
Bujinkan Orange County Dojo and Shihan Robert Johnson of the Bujinkan Indianapolis Dojo. The years of
sweat, discipline, discovery and frustration that have gone into developing the pages of this manual are
invaluable and cover techniques and information from those years of training in Japan with Soke Hatsumi and
the Japanese Shihan.
This martial art system, like the Ninja themselves is an enigma and a puzzle that can only be learned and figured
out through years of physically training in it. Often times, people simply move away from the techniques of the
densho (scrolls) to "do their own thing" or "just do henka (variations)" and aren't even aware that, this is not the
way that they train in Japan. At the Hombu Dojo in Japan, they practice the techniques of the different lineages
from the densho and have a specific way that they introduce variations and usually even a certain number of
variations. It is critical to learn the kata (techniques) both in order to really learn the hidden principles that are
the real essence of the martial arts, but also to gain an understanding of the nature of the lineage and in most
cases, the heritage and culture of that period in Japanese history - all of which had a direct effect on much of the
warrior arts.
At the Lehigh Valley Bujinkan Dojo, training is conducted and constantly refined to stay in step with the Bujinkan
Orange County Dojo (our "Sempai" dojo) in Southern California which in turn is a direct reflection of the training
and teachings of the Hombu Dojo in Japan, under Soke Hatsumi . Typically the first hour is considered "practice"
and is dedicated to reviewing, refining and practicing the basics of rolls, breakfalls, leaps and strikes (the
"sixteen fists"). Part of the purpose for this part of class is also for conditioning. Many martial arts dojos of today
focus only on doing techniques and not breaking a good sweat to condition the body. Anyone who has gone a
few rounds or so in the real world on the street or in battle can attest to the drain on a person's energy. A fit
body is important but even if you are not fit, it is something to aspire to and our dojo's training will definitely help
in this area.
The second hour of class is dedicated to learning various techniques (both armed and unarmed) for whatever
kyu or dan level we are covering or which lineage we are focusing on during that class. This part of class is
referred to as "training" and it is here that the basics from the first half of class really help the student's
movement (taijutsu) come alive. The formal techniques are a way and means for students to thoroughly delve
into this profound martial system and develop an exceptional base for continuing their studies over their lifetime.
The philosophy at the Lehigh Valley Bujinkan Dojo is to focus on the journey of training - NOT a destination of
"being good" or "getting to the end". For the true seeker with a warrior spirit, this training is about life and lasts
for the entire lifetime with always something new to be learned. People with a violent or malevolent attitude or
any kind of ego issues are not allowed - this includes but not limited to those individuals who continue to fixate
on fighting, becoming tougher than everybody else and those who seek martial arts for violent means. It is
discouraging how much petty debate goes on over the internet regarding which martial art is the toughest when
in the end, there will always be someone somewhere tougher than you... Clearly these people have lost the
essence and are not the character of students trained in our dojo. Only people with good hearts and good
intentions are permitted into our training hall. We help each other train and progress along this challenging path
in a friendly, positive atmosphere.
Nature/Survival and Military Training
Training is also currently offered in outdoor survival techniques by way of harmonizing with Nature NOT
fighting Nature as well as military strategy and tactics learned by Sensei Norton as a U.S. Marine Captain. Sensei
Norton has also completed the training program, Standard, of renown survivalist, Scout-Tracker Tom Brown Jr.
and has regular outdoor primitive survival and tracking classes/camp outs to expand upon the Warrior skills of
survival taught in the dojo. A true Warrior is not about winning a "fight" but being able to survive. To truly
understand and harmonize with the principles of Nature, one becomes a truer human being and survival
becomes not a way of denying oneself but instead a way of comfortable living.
Training Times
Regular Training is conducted Monday, Wednesday and Friday 7-9pm.
Students are required to bring a positive attitude, an open mind and sincerity. Egos can stay home. Prospective
students are also required to view one training session and meet personally with Sensei prior to beginning
training. MINIMUM AGE FOR TRAINING IS 15 YEARS OLD AND ANY STUDENT UNDER 18 IS REQUIRED TO
OBTAIN WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN. This is combat oriented warrior
tradition with frequent exposure to battle techniques armed and unarmed and thus requires a certain level of
maturity, safety, common sense and good hearted intention. The absence of any of these factors will result in an
immediate termination of training.
| "Shinobi no ho, or Ninja methods, are for discerning what is right for the world, enduring, training to become a moral being, becoming aware of one's destiny, and dedicating one's life to other people or the world as a whole." - Masaaki Hatsumi |