| One of the common skills or aspects of most martial | | | | "come-eye"), are not the same as the static stances |
| arts is that of stances. But, if you want to learn ninjutsu, | | | | we might think of. Kamae, rather than being rigid, |
| then you must understand that nothing is as it seems in | | | | immovable stances or poses from which to deliver our |
| this powerful system for both self-protection and | | | | punches, kicks, blocks, etc., are actually "alive" and very |
| personal empowerment. And, that includes what, to | | | | dynamic things. |
| many, are the same "postures" or rigid stances that | | | | In fact, we don't really "do" kamae as much as we |
| are a part of conventional karate, and nearly all other | | | | "become" kamae. |
| martial systems. | | | | The Ninja's kamae are the ultimate embodiment of the |
| However, the art of Ninjutsu is based on both the laws | | | | holistic principles that unify and focus the body, mind, |
| of nature, as well as sound scientific principles. It is a | | | | and spirit/attitude all toward a common goal. As such, |
| "thinking persons" martial art, and definitely not for | | | | kamae come from the inside - from our heart, mind, |
| those who just want to know "where to put their foot" | | | | and intentions, and then from there the body goes into |
| so they can do some flashy move. | | | | action as an outward reflection of this inner reality. |
| Such ideas are not a part of the way a Ninja thinks | | | | This a very natural thing and not at all like the |
| and acts. So, if that's what you're looking for from a | | | | conventional idea of a typical martial arts stance which |
| martial art - ninjutsu is NOT for you. | | | | is very foreign to the natural workings of the human |
| If you're looking for lessons, strategies, and skills that | | | | body. Where each "style" of combat system tends to |
| will allow you to get powerful results with the least | | | | have it's own ideas about how the body should be |
| amount of wear-and-tear on yourself, then you must | | | | positioned for safety and attack, the ninja's kamae are |
| begin by finding a teacher who can expose you to a | | | | natural reflections of directed intention. |
| way of thinking that is very different from what you've | | | | And, rather than fight "from" a particular stance, the |
| learned to this point in your life. You must find a | | | | Ninja easily moves into and out of the different kamae |
| teacher who can show you very deep level concepts | | | | as he naturally responds to the attacker's advances - |
| that transcend even the idea of fighting! | | | | only remaining in each long enough to get the results |
| One of these lessons has to do with the fact that the | | | | needed at that instant in time. |
| ninja's kamae (pronounced: like the English words: | | | | |