Training System

Ninja-Ryu

We practice an eclectic and open style of Jiu-Jitsu that combines an appreciation of the traditional martial arts while benefiting from 21st century training methods. In practice our philosophy is to use what works while employing the principles of honour, discipline, respect and friendship.

We are lucky enough to live in an era where we can easily access knowledge from a variety of media. By drawing on many sources we have had the opportunity to compliment and improve our Jiu-Jitsu base. Also, our Black Belts have traveled extensively, bringing back skills that are integrated into our training. The following arts have had an influences on our stand-up striking techniques: boxing, Muay Thai, Wing-Chun and karate. To supplement our repertoire of grappling and defense techniques we have also added skills from Hapkido and wrestling.

The Ninja-Ryu system provides a vast array of empty hand techniques and basic weapon skills for students to learn. While coming up through the belt ranks students are introduced to not only Jiu-Jitsu but also get a chance to experiment with boxing, Muay Thai, Kali and other related arts. Our blow-throw-blow style mixes well with the emphasis we place on sparring, grappling, strong self-defense orientation and learning to handle conflict and precarious situations The serious training in weapons begins at the Black Belt level where we have special weekly classes in advanced armed and unarmed close-quarter defense. Our close-quarter weapons system merges the Filipino and Indonesian blade, blunt and flexible weapon styles with European and military systems. We primarily train with short blades, solo baston (single stick), sinawali (double stick), sjambok (stiff whip) and knife throwing.
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Kali-Jitsu

Within the CNJJBBF Ninja-Ryu system of Jiu-Jitsu we have two training programs: the Q Belt Program (yellow to black belt) and Kali-Jitsu (1st Dan (Shodan) to 4th Dan (Yondan)). The requirements for 5th Dan (Godan) include writing a treatise on a martial arts subject chosen by the Board of Directors. Advancement from 6th Dan (Rokudan) upward is based upon contribution to the Art as determined by the Board of Directors.

The Fellowship’s first Chairman, Sensei Jules Ladouceur, set our path when he encouraged Fellowship Black Belts to go out and earn Black Belts in other Martial Arts then bring that knowledge back to help strengthen Ninja-Ryu. We started venturing out to acquire specialized expertise in the late 1970s. It was this inspiration that led to the development of Kali-Jitsu in the mid-1980s. By the early 1990s our Black Belts had acquired instructor level certifications in Martial Arts including: Judo, Karate, Wing Chun, Muay Thai, Kali, Penchat Silat and Hapkido. These influences helped to evolve Kali-Jitsu into what it is today.

Kali-Jitsu combines the philosophies, theories, strategies and techniques of Kali, a centuries-old Filipino weapons art with Jiu-Jitsu, the art of the Japanese Samurai warrior. Their techniques have been battle tested for centuries. We combine the most effective techniques of both complementary arts. Additionally, we incorporate techniques from various other related martial arts and military close quarter combat systems.
In Kali-Jitsu we believe that unarmed and weapons training should be done in equal proportions. Edged, impact and flexible weapons are all part of the curriculum. The goal is for the student to be able to use any available object as an effective self-defense tool and be able to defend unarmed against weapons.
Kali-Jitsu is taught to CNJJBBF Black Belts, Law Enforcement officers and military personnel. Since the techniques learned in this discipline have the potential to be lethal, all participants must understand and accept the responsibility that accompanies this knowledge.

Principles

“Be like water” is our training motto. Effectiveness is our main goal. We train for life. Black Belts focus on self-defence and close quarter combat techniques.
Kali-Jitsu involves constant mobility with footwork as the driving engine of our techniques. Circular and angular movements power our defense and offense. Also, as a self-defence principle, we work on using footwork to get behind the attacker as soon as possible to finish and to maintain a 360-degree defense perimeter.

Our self-defense creed is to expect multiple attackers so we don’t linger on one attacker nor purposely go to the ground, especially on concrete or in a foot or two of snow. The idea being that if our life is threatened, we’ve trained to use anything and everything learned to our advantage. If awareness of an evolving situation couldn’t help us avoid conflict, we look for improvised weapons to use in our defense.

The assumption being that we are the target of violence not the instigator. We teach proportional defense especially when weapons are involved. A weapon is to be used on the street as an equalizer, not to obtain an advantage. “Defang the snake” techniques are our first line of armed defense.

Our philosophy on ground fighting is to use these acquired skills like an ace up our sleeve to be employed in the event we end up on the ground. If we find ourselves on the ground in a self-defence situation, our goal is to do as much damage as possible as quick as possible then get back up to our feet to meet any further threats or to retreat. We work what we call counter-grappling. Our three result options for advanced groundwork are: the opponent is under control (breaks vs holds/submissions), unconscious or dead.

Focus

Let’s start with the bigger picture on what KJ training is all about. It is not just the weapon work for Black Belts. It also encompasses mind-set, strategy, tactics, stand-up, grappling, ground work techniques as well as counter-grappling. Up until Shodan level students are taught Ninja-Ryu stand-up, grappling, ground fighting and basic weapons techniques. Above Shodan, KJ mind and body techniques come into play.
The emphasis, at Shodan level, is on advanced martial art practices, history, philosophy and mind/body/spirit linkage principles. The goals are to improve health, acquire maximum technical proficiency and self-confidence in our ability to assess a situation, think on our feet and make the right decisions under stress.
Our Black Belt class structure basically breaks down as follows: 50% empty hands training, 25% unarmed defense training and 25% technical weapon training. Our primary weapon work is done with knives (blades of various length), impact (ASP & baston) and flexible (sjambok, coat hangers, belts etc.) weapons.
The following are some of the complimentary martial disciplines that have influenced and helped evolve various aspects of our Black Belt training.
Empty Hands : Wing Chun, Boxing, Muay Thai, Hapkido
Groundwork : Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling
Unarmed vs weapon : Kali defense techniques with Jiu-Jitsu finishes
Armed : Kali (Pekiti Tersia, Lanada and Serada styles), Jiu-Jitsu, Penchat Silat, Hapkido, close quarter military techniques, basic firearms safety training (pistol and long gun), and knife throwing.

WARRIOR’S MANTRA
I have no future
I have no past
My goal is to make the present last
I am in the now.