Traditional Japanese Martial Arts

This is the tip of the iceberg there is not enough text space available to explain all that we can do for you. Don’t believe everything we say read what our students think:
“My name is Steve Houghton and I am 20 years old. I started Japanese Martial Arts at Warrior Crafts two and a half years ago when I was still at college. Initially it was a poster that caught my attention. I attended my first lesson with a few friends just to see what it was like and have been hooked ever since. The teaching is of an excellent standard and everyone who trains is friendly and helpful. Ninjutsu keeps me fit, increases my confidence and motivates me to do well in other day to day tasks. I find that the Ninjutsu mindset can be applied to most areas of my life and look forward to training every week. The group of people that studies Ninjutsu is very diverse, as I have discovered, and caters for all ages and abilities. I’ve learnt a lot in my two years and made a lot of friends from all walks of life.”
-Steve Houghton

“I guess I started training for a variety of reasons, I’ve always had an interest in martial arts, My dad started me in Judo when I was about nine to improve my self esteem and try and curb this temper I seemed to have. It worked really well, although I guess I was too young to appreciate the intricacies of jutai at the time. I got kinda bored with it and all the other kids who did martial arts got to do roundhouse kicks and karate chops – my throws and holds seemed kinda useless (I did say I was too young to appreciate it!) Anyway I played around with some other stuff thinking that flying jump spinning back kicks were the way ahead until I got my ass kicked by some bigger, older kid at school and all the flash stuff fell apart. I was left wondering whether a little chubby kid can actually ever overcome someone bigger and stronger than themselves The reality was a group of normal (or seemingly normal!!) people getting changed into black pyjamas talking about their week and actually being friendly – not what I had come to expect. I was amazed by the first technique I ever saw, two people squared off and the ‘attacker’ actually tried to hit the guy who was standing there quite normally – No war cries, no cheesy stances, actual contact. A flash of technique ensued and the attacked ended up in a crumpled (but unharmed) ball on the floor. Actually I still remember the technique: Hadari ihen – Hiza – Empi to the spine – Tai otoshi (Its still a nice technique!). I think that single technique actually convinced me I had found something I wanted to do”.
– Chris People

“I am a 32-year-old I.T. professional working for IBM. My job involves me sitting in front of a P.C. for hours everyday, but I enjoy playing sport and other activities and keeping fit. I started Ninjutsu to keep fit (as I used to do kick boxing and that kept me quite fit). I thought I would try Warrior Crafts, I found I enjoy Ninjutsu more as it is more interesting and has a more interesting history. The BBD is extremely well run and it is a pleasure to go to and learn Ninjutsu there.”
– Mat White
“I started martial arts because I wanted some activity where I was thinking as well as sweating! i.e. not just running on a treadmill all day.I like training with the BBD because the atmosphere is friendly and relaxed whilst the lessons still remain structured and useful my training gives me self-confidence in that if attacked I could have a good go at defending myself!”
– Dean Smith

Ninjutsu – a female perspective

I have been studying Marttial Arts at Warrior Crafts for three years. As a result of continued training, I have developed strength, fitness and stamina (as well as far more martial arts ability than I ever imagined). Practising ninjutsu has also increased my threshold to pain, confidence, and overall self discipline.
The ethos of BBD dojos are non competitive, non macho and non misogynistic – in fact, kunoichi (female ninjas) are not just ‘accepted’, but are actively encouraged!
After a while, the philosophy of ninjutsu begins to permeate life outside of the dojo.The essence of the continuous improvement in training into making clearer judgements and moving through life with a greater ease. In my experience, ninjtusu blends a traditional Japanese art with modern day self defence techniques, taught by a great bunch of black belts in a fun, happy and nurturing environment.
– Mary 27