Cutter’s Edge
Consulting

When I arrived at the Quad the first day, I was greeted by the Young's, who introduced me to Robert Geyer, the "sensei," or teacher. Geyer-sensei encouraged me to participate as much as I felt comfortable, to take it easy, and to have fun.

Training began with members lining up and kneeling in the grass to meditate. This was followed by a bow of mutual respect and a repetition of the dojo motto, "Shikin haramitsu daikomyo." Geyer-sensei explained the meaning, "What you're saying is, May the light of ten thousand years flow into me with my next step."

I thought, "Yeah right. What have I gotten myself into?"

What, indeed. Robert Geyer's school is an official branch of Bujinkan International Dojo, whose soke or grandmaster Dr. Masaki Hatsumi holds scrolls which have been passed down in an unbroken line since the eleventh century. Geyer's sponsor is Jeffrey Prather, an 11th dan in Tucson, Arizona. Shidoshi Geyer is a fifth degree black belt whose rank and teaching license come directly from Dr. Hatsumi.

Bujinkan training is authentic ninja martial arts, combining taijutsu, body skills and ninjutsu, ninja skills, yet another strange surprise. The Young's didn't mention I'd be playing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Actually, I learned ninja means "one who perseveres even with a blade over one's heart." Goodness of heart is the most important aspect of Bujinkan taijutsu, while physical strength is least. Make no assumptions that women of smaller size are defenseless. This is an effective martial art in which women, children, and handicapped are encouraged to participate.

As Geyer-sensei demonstrated a forward roll, he told me, "Stay relaxed. Be gentle with yourself. If the roll doesn't hurt, it's a good roll." As I rolled on the ground, I watched the grass turn upside down. I felt like I was seven years old, learning how to roll and walk again. Geyer-sensei explains, "This is natural body movement. You're learning to move your body the way it's designed to work, physiologically, the way your joints are put together."

Relaxing the body is essential in every part of Bujinkan Martial Arts. Oddly enough, being relaxed lets you punch and kick harder, and makes it easier to take a punch. Bujinkan Martial Arts is not about fighting, it's about winning using mechanics of evasion, balance, and natural body movement. Geyer-sensei comments, "People who are involved in martial arts don't get in fights. They learn the realities of violence, and they learn to vent those energies in a healthy, controlled, safe environment."

In my limited experience, I'm finding that good form and technique to rolls, kicks and punches, blocks, and counter strikes both protect yourself and work against the opponent. I'm able to put someone on the ground simply by taking them off balance with a push of their knee, arm, or throat. These movements are effective, and I have to admit it feels good to put a two hundred-plus pound man on the ground.

Instead of tensing muscles, I remind myself to relax and this leads to better overall stress management. Jim Hilgartner, the senior student, adds, "With time, natural movement becomes instinctive and pervasive, one finds old habits changing, one begins to move without conscious effort in ways that actually reduce stress and tension."

In fact, my friend Mindy Young proved this one night when she tripped over her dogs late at night during in her second trimester of pregnancy last year. Mindy explains, "We spend a lot of time here learning how to land, and even though it was dark and I was flying at full speed over a seventy-pound dog, I landed well. The only thing I hurt was one arm because I didn't have room to roll."

As dusk descends, curious bystanders watch, and Geyer-sensei invites them to participate as well, joining the men and women in black. At the end of training, students and sensei kneel again in the grass as nighthawks circle above Denney Chimes in the moonlight. "Domo ariogato gozaimasu" or "thank-you very much" is spoken with another bow of respect. We sit in a circle and chat over a cup of tea, which forms personal relationships, like a family gathering. Mindy Young told me, "If you take care of your body, your mind and the rest will follow. Kicking and screaming, maybe, but it will be dragged along."

I have been practicing Bujinkan Martial Arts for almost two months, and I can see the gradual change as my movements become more fluid. I am continuing to learn how my body works, following through with a punch or kick, and using my whole body while putting other guy on the ground.

If you asked me why I will continue my studies in Bujinkan Martial Arts, I will say I feel more alive. During class there is an atmosphere of gentle playfulness, serious learning and growth both spiritually and physically. I am focused on my body, the energy around me, and my relationship with other people.

Remember that tragedy? I'm not quite as upset and stressed out anymore. After training, I am centered, calm, and empowered, like my body and mind have been recharged. In addition, my self-confidence has risen exponentially. As a single female, I am more aware of my surroundings and feel more confident I can handle difficult situations as they arise, both physically and mentally. I also have more enthusiasm in my life, I'm more relaxed and I'm having more fun. I am taking care of my myself, and that's the best anyone can ask. Maybe I'm not so crazy after all.