We are back Dublin 2021

Me and the Portsmouth Team travelled to Dublin for the first major event since the pandemic on 6th and 7th November.

What a joy to meet old friends for a beer and meal on the Saturday.

On Sunday “we are back” on the mats training under the guidance of Brian McCarthy chief instructor for the BBD.

The focus was on having your motor(body/mind) turned on so you are able to create and deal with multiple different situations. This covered much to do with your headspace you need to be there to appreciate.

To all those, there remember your “key” to start the motor 😉

The last third was on strong striking and conditioning.

You are never too good to focus on strong delivery of the basics.

Was fab to see you all looking forward to a rocking 2022

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BBD Ninjutsu and Martial Art friends 2021

Hi all my BBD and Martial Art friends everywhere, strange year for us all.

Here’s a video to remind us of the wonderful people, and skills that we will be back to shortly.

Regardless of Covid lockdowns or restrictions on training, we all keep going on.</span>

My kitchen or back yard is my dojo for now, I can practise every technique in the syllabus with a bit of imagination.

And at some point in 2021, we will be back to normal and ready to rock on to our next challenge…. KEEP GOING and enjoy every step of your journey.

BBD Ninjutsu Portsmouth Martial arts

Ninjutsu Portsmouth Martial arts

Comments
Peter Mitchell – Really good to see all of those memories Andy. Cheers Sir.
Andrew Thomas – yep will see you on the flip side and we will have a blast
Sebastian Phillips – Yup. As the boss said, we train on our own but come together in times of crisis. See you all in 2021.
Andrew – Hi Sebastian Phillips exactly buddy see you soon
Mehmet Kosucu – fantastic , miss to b there
Andrew Thomas – yo yo buddy soonish we will be back and we will be great again, see you on the flip side buddy

Portsmouth Ninjutsu, Martial Arts Portsmouth, Portsmouth Fitness, Portsmouth self Defence

We are ready 2021

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Covid Safe Ninjutsu Training

On 15th August we ran a test lesson to ensure our covid safe training works.

All worked well, the students in the test class were all pushed and found the material exciting, challenging and safe.

Students feedback below 

Sebastian Phillips  – Awesome training. Really impressed with how well thought out everything was. Far getter job of teaching while social distancing than any secondary school Ive seen!

Chris People Brilliant work Andrew Thomas and team. I know it was a tonne of effort and planning but looking fantastic.

Will be contacting all adults directly to restart covid safe training. Just remember we can only have 5 students plus me in a class at one time. Look out for my messages as I will be arranging class’s in groups of 5 imminently. 

Apart from making exciting lessons that work we also made sure the mechanics of a COVID safe process worked as below

Prior To training

  • Arrive fully dressed to train.
  • No changing into gi’s at the dojo
  • Arrive at the back door and leave by the front door.
  • Temperature check made with infrared thermometer device. If flagged red will be requested to go home
  • Wash hands with sanitiser provided
  • Shoes in the rack by the back door
  • Sign covid track + trace register ( only needs to be filled in once )

Lesson

  • Equipment to be cleaned with a wet wipe “after” use
  • Equipment to be cleaned with a wet wipe “before” use
  • If within 2 meters a “visor” is to be worn ( I will supply)
    Post lesson
  • You can change into your normal clothes in the dojo, but only in your designated spot.
  • Wash hands at exist
  • Exit via the front door
  • When all students have left, I will mop down the Mat area

Back home

  • When home wash Gi
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33rd Grandmaster Takamatsu

Takamatsu
Takamatsu 33rd grandmaster

A picture I had not seen before of the 33rd Grandmaster Toshitsugu Takamatsu.
Through him, the collection of the 9 Ryu’s (schools) is accomplished. He lived through a period of time were from our perspective the ancient past and modern era connect. Takamatsu passed the teachings on to Hatsumi Sensei who became the first to open the teaching of ninjutsu up to the western world. There are many fascinating stories about Takamatsu life that we will leave for another time.

Below one of his quotes
“The way to experience ultimate happiness is to let go of all worries and regrets, and to know that being happy is the most satisfying of life’s feelings. Reflect back on all the progress in your life and allow the positive, creative and joyous thoughts to outshine and overwhelm any sorrow or grief that may linger in the recesses of your mind. Knowing that disease and disaster are natural parts of life is the key to overcoming adversity with a calm and happy spirit. Happiness is waiting there in front of you. Only you can decide whether or not you choose to experience it. Take this to heart.
Toshitsugu Takamatsu”

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The badges we wear and why


Bujinkan Badge

Bujinkan Badge

Bujinkan translates as warrior god training hall.
It also symbolises the collection of the 9 different Ryu (schools) collected by the Togakure Ninjutsu clan over an 8 to 9 hundred year history.
If you wish to know more about the 9 schools ask your black belt

BBD Flash

BBD Flash

This is who we are and what we stand for
The BBD was set up by Brian McCarthy to develop authentic ninjutsu skills.
Brian originally read a book that detailed some of Hatsumi’s training written by Andrew Adams. This prompted him to write to Hatsumi . Remember this is way before email and social media had become commonplace. Following correspondence, Brian trained in the USA(approx 1981) and then Japan and this evolved into the BBD. It’s interesting to think that if Brian had not written that letter then so much of what is important in my life would never have happened!

The BBD respect the past linking the students to the history of past warriors who fought on many battlefields throughout history to bring these skills to you. But also ensuring you can apply the physical, mental and spiritual traits of ninjutsu in TODAYS world. The BBD has dojo’s across Europe

Want to know more about the BBD ask your black belt. Want to train in Portsmouth message me

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Shodoshi Kai (school for instructors)

Me and Chris People travelled to Dublin last weekend to attend the Shodoshi Kai (school for instructors).
In the evening we met up with black belts from across Europe for a meal. Then on Sunday morning, we starting our training.
Great opportunity for me and Chris to learn directly from our Chief instructor Brian McCarthy and get fresh input and direction.
We did not study set techniques but under the direction of “the boss” learnt to better understand the movements that are in between the techniques that create the opportunity we are looking for.
We covered so much in the day that my brain is still trying to process it in slow time now

Some of the topics covered below
The small movements between that allow the technique to flow
Exercises to develop continuous movement and footwork
Exposing yourself to pressure and fear
Dealing with the emotional side of conflict.
and so much more then I can describe here

My brain is slowly working through all the info gained and I am trying to own the material and not just to of seen It shown.

A totally fantastic weekend see you all in March

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