In feudal Japan, ninjas, also known as shinobi, were secret agents specializing in sabotage, espionage, infiltration and, if necessary, assassinations and combat. While the samurai followed strict rules of conduct, morals and combat, the ninjas fought in the shadows, sneaking into strategic places without attracting the attention of enemies. To train yourself to become like them, you will need to learn to fight with strength and agility, while remaining invisible to the enemy.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Moving like a Ninja
Step 1. Get moving at night
To make sure they won't be seen, ninjas always act at night. Their cunning tactics of espionage and guerilla warfare surpass the capabilities of a traditional warrior. To learn the art of the ninja, you will have to get used to acting after the sun goes down. Learn to move in total darkness and to use the environment to perceive the surrounding world.
- When moving around at night, you should avoid all sources of artificial light, such as street lights.
- Getting your eyes used to the dark is a very important quality for a ninja. You will have to learn "static vision", ie being able to grasp something that is in the dark and "dynamic vision", ie being able to grasp something that moves at night. Practice both of these skills. They will help to accustom the eyes to the darkness.
Step 2. Climb the trees
In addition to being a master of stealth, a ninja must be agile. No wall is too high to climb and you can overcome all obstacles that block your path. Learning to climb trees is the best way to become more agile. Ninjas often penetrated castle walls by climbing trees and jumping from one to the other.
- You should invest in a pair of hand and foot claws and use them to better climb trees. You will be able to get a better grip on the bark of the tree thanks to those tools.
- Reaching the top of a tree will not only allow you to avoid enemies, but also to have a better view of your surroundings. From that height you will be able to better plan your spying strategy and you will be able to clearly see your current location.
Step 3. Swimming is another good way to build strength
It is also helpful to learn how to swim quietly, in case you need to get closer to the target through the water.
Step 4. Camouflage yourself by taking advantage of nature
Start with the basic hiding posture, known as Uzura-Gakure. To hold this position you will need to bring your head and limbs towards your body, becoming as small as possible. If you stand completely still, you can hide among the natural rocks. You can also use trees to blend in.
- You can also try the Kannon-Gakure technique, which means covering your face and standing in front of a tree. By hiding the white of the face, you will blend in with the tree and take advantage of the blind spot of the human eye.
- Ninjas also often hide behind trees. As with the Uzura-Gakure, you will have to remain completely still, even more so than the leaves blowing in the wind. If you manage to do this, the enemies will only notice the movements of the leaves, and your body will go completely unnoticed.
Step 5. Avoid making enemies suspicious
True ninjas practice "the art of invisibility", moving around without making their position known to enemies. Modern ninjas have to watch out for a lot more artificial lights, but some of the strategies used in feudal Japan still hold true today.
- Stealth walking is the simplest method. If you walk with the outside of your foot, your steps will produce very little noise. Practice on gravel or sand, where you can evaluate the sound of footsteps and the footprints you will leave.
- Distraction and misdirection will also help you avoid arousing suspicion in enemies. You could throw a rock out of your way, or have the person you're trying to overtake call on the phone. His attention will be captured by the cell phone and you will have plenty of time to pass without being seen.
- You can also use other common sounds, such as falling water droplets or the hum of an air conditioner, to drown out the sound of your movements.
Step 6. Run fast
Climbing walls quickly is essential in your training, but you will need to make sure you have excellent stamina as well. Your goal is to avoid being detected by enemies, but you will also need to be able to escape in the event of a conflict. If you are being chased by an enemy, your espionage tactics won't be as useful as sheer speed.
- Thirty-Sixty Speed Workout is a simple method to improve cardiovascular strength and speed of your sprint. Get a stopwatch and find a place to run without obstacles. Start by running at medium intensity for 60 seconds. Then, sprint for 30 seconds and resume running for 60. You will have to repeat this cycle three more times, for exactly seven minutes.
- Make sure you don't rest completely during medium-intensity running. You should recover at that stage, but don't allow your heart rate to drop too low. If you run away from an enemy, you'll need to sprint for well over 30 seconds, so be prepared for the worst.
Part 2 of 3: Fighting like a Ninja
Step 1. Practice jumping
Ninjas must have great jumping strength, because they have to climb walls and jump between different surfaces. If you combine good jumping skills with running and climbing, you will be able to avoid enemy attacks in the event of a fight. You should also strengthen your legs, as much of your physical strength comes from them. Here are some exercises you can do to strengthen your legs and jump better:
- Do lunges. These exercises strengthen the quadriceps.
- Walk on toes to strengthen the calves. By doing so, you will also train yourself to move silently.
- Jump to full height, on flat ground, until you are too tired to continue.
- Sit in a riding position, bending your knees a lot and keeping your legs shoulder-width apart for as long as possible. This squat will allow you to strengthen your legs. You can also jump after the squat is finished.
- Bring the leg up to the waist and hold it in place. This movement is known as a side kick. Maintain the position as long as possible.
- If you go to the gym, train your legs by squatting with weights or using the leg press machine. The stronger your legs are, the more power you will be able to put into your jumps.
Step 2. Strengthen your core with bodyweight exercises
To walk the ninja way, especially in modern times, you will need to learn how to use your body weight to improve strength. It's super easy to integrate these exercises into your training program because they don't require any expensive equipment.
Remember that mastering these exercises takes time, because you need to involve your entire body and not just one isolated muscle
Step 3. Learn taekwondo
You can incorporate many martial arts into your ninja fighting strategies, but taekwondo is one of the oldest and most used schools of these night warriors. One of the greatest advantages of this art is the prevalence of the use of the legs. Your enemies, especially if they are not trained in combat, will most likely attack with their fists.
- From the very beginning, mastering taekwondo will allow you to start every fight with an advantage. With the legs, in fact, it is possible to attack much faster than with the arms and it is possible to defend against attacks from all directions.
- Break boards to improve speed, accuracy and power. It takes great concentration to break a plank of wood, as you will need to strike at the exact break point. Remember that you will need to think about moving your foot across the board, not against it. Aim for a point beyond the board and your kick will be more powerful.
- Make sure whoever holds the board has a firm grip, otherwise you won't be able to break it.
Step 4. Practice with sticks
The ninjas also knew how to fight with sticks. They are very useful for dealing with a good number of enemies, who may attack you with other weapons.
- One of the best sticks to train with is the bo, a tall stick usually made of red or white oak. The bo has been in use since the time of feudal Japan. Often considered "an extension of one's limbs," the movements of a bo should mimic those of the hands in martial arts.
- Your posture has a great influence on power when you fight with a bo. The position of your feet determines the strength of your upper body and the blows you can inflict on enemies.
- Learn many different types of strokes. This will allow you to always take advantage of your opponents' weaknesses. By combining these strategies with an agile posture, you will improve your dexterity with the bo. Remember to practice in a safe and open place, so as not to injure those next to you and not to cause damage to objects.
Part 3 of 3: Living like a Ninja
Step 1. Choose the clothing according to the surrounding environment
To be a true ninja, you will need to blend in completely with the environment, be it a busy town square or an uninhabited forest. Since a ninja must always avoid attracting suspicion to himself, it is very important that his clothing is suitable for the environment.
- The most common ninja outfit consists of a traditional headband and tunic, known as zukin and shozuku. Contrary to popular belief, the fabric used to make them is not black, but dark blue. Moving at night, the dark blue tone blends into the darkness and moonlight, minimizing the ninja's visibility. Ninjas also wear combat sandals, which are lightweight and able to support the foot well during quick movements.
- In addition to using traditional ninja gear, you should learn to disguise yourself and move around unnoticed even during the day. In ancient times, ninja often disguised themselves as monks, merchants and actors. Today the best choice is to dress up as a tourist. Thanks to that clothing you can look like a stranger in any city you are, making your unfamiliar presence normal.
Step 2. Master the ninja breathing techniques
Controlling breathing is essential for a shinobi. You will have to remain hidden for long periods of time, remaining still and silent, so you will have to learn to breathe quietly. Practice the following strategies, which will keep you from attracting attention and improve your awareness:
- Inhale as you take steps. You will be able to get into the flow of movements and ensure a constant supply of oxygen to the body. When running, try to inhale every three steps and exhale every two. When walking, you can use a calmer 4: 2 ratio.
- Practice deep breathing. Proper breathing expands your entire chest - practice abdominal breathing until it becomes a habit.
- As you walk, inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Running requires more oxygen, so in this case you will need to breathe in through your nose and mouth at the same time.
Step 3. Adjust to a ninja's diet
To have efficient and fast bodies, ninjas follow strict, low-fat diets. You will need to minimize your intake of meat, dairy products and sugars, foods that take too long to turn into energy. Prefer light, protein-rich foods, such as pine nuts. It is believed that pine nuts can also improve sensory perceptions and delay aging.
You cannot eat foods that produce body odors. If your enemies could spot you by smell, you would attract their suspicions. It will not be enough not to be seen or heard: you should not be identified by any sense
Step 4. Practice in secret
The ninja's existence is based on being undetected, so you'll need to be careful not to train in the presence of potential enemies. Find a secluded spot, especially when practicing combat or evasion, to keep your identity a secret.
Step 5. Live a simple and minimalist existence
It is very difficult to follow the ninja path if you have a lot of things or have strong ties to a place. You will need to be always on the move and be able to adapt to any environment. For this, it is better not to have too much attachment to objects. They would slow you down on your continuous travels. You will always have to be present and aware of the environment you are in, evaluating your surroundings with an open and free mind.
