Have any of you become real life ninjas?

[kelligrafie]

I saw a few people mention that they'd taken up one form of martial art or another due to watching TMNT.

I think it would be interesting for people to discuss the various arts they were inspired to study from watching the show, or if anyone is particularly skilled in using one of the weapons that the turtles use.

I'm also curious to know how accurate are the various TV series and films in their portrayal of ninjitsui.

[Donatello19]

I'm not actually a ninja (yet...) but I enjoy training with the bo staff.

[Zulithe]

As a kid growing up with TMNT i was immersed in Ninjas because they were everywhere. Not just TMNT comics, shows, movies and figures, but lots of other ninja stuff in the media like the various American Ninja films and the Three Ninjas films just to name a couple noteworthy ones.

But, alas, I also lived in a rural area without any real access to a martial arts studio for young people to learn. I did roleplay and play fight as a ninja a lot though with my siblings and friends :P

[Davin]

From what I've heard most stateside ninjutsu dojos are nothing to write home about.

As a kid my parents strictly forbid me from training martial arts for fear I'd get into fights at school. As an adult I've been training and competing in Brazilian JiuJitsu, Kickboxing, and MMA for a few years now.

[Roseangelo]

Almost exactly a year ago I started taking Tang Soo Do, a Korean style of karate. (It's the same style Chuck Norris trained in, as well as Pat Johnson, who choreographed the Karate Kid movies and the 3 TMNT live action movies.) I absolutely love it, and it's definitely the best thing I could have done for myself at this point in my life.

[Powder]

I wanted to get involved in martial arts for the longest time but I never did. I don't have the discipline or drive to stay dedicated.

[D-Nizzy]

Almost exactly a year ago I started taking Tang Soo Do, a Korean style of karate. (It's the same style Chuck Norris trained in, as well as Pat Johnson, who choreographed the Karate Kid movies and the 3 TMNT live action movies.) I absolutely love it, and it's definitely the best thing I could have done for myself at this point in my life.
My wife and I studied Tang Solo Do. We've been out of practice for a few years, but it was definitely a great experience.

[Slade]

Took some boxing classes as a kid. Mom couldn't afford it for long.

[Davin]

I wanted to get involved in martial arts for the longest time but I never did. I don't have the discipline or drive to stay dedicated.

No time like the present if you feel inclined. Most good schools offer a free trial period so you can check it out before you commit.

[Powder]

First sentence was past tense, but the second is present haha. I will never have the 'get and go' for it. Nor do I have the time or money or means of getting to a dojo regularly. Thanks for the encouragement, though.

[pannoni1]

I took Tang Soo Do from October 1993 to December 1995 and got up to a green belt. It was one of my favorite things to do growing up, and it was part of the reason why I became briefly a Power Rangers fan. I did remember seeing sai in the reception room and thought "Wow, that's a real sai! I've only known it in cartoons." Unfortunately it became too expensive for my mother, then a SAHM in which my father had no support to fund for me to continue. I briefly tried again for about a month in the fall of 1998 at a different location, but I couldn't adjust to the new style that well and the clientele wasn't as good.

[Roseangelo]

Money was definitely the biggest hurdle for me to get started, otherwise I would have done so years ago. It's definitely not cheap.

But for me showing up is the easiest part. I leave each class anxious for the next. Right now I'm basically just biding my time until tomorrow morning's class. 8)

[Mona_Lisa]

I took karakido karate, I trained alot with the bo staff but I totally suck at katas!!!! I'm pretty good with my hands and feet (Sparring). I'm best at thouse high kicks! (I love kicking, idk why):twink:

I wish I could still afford to go, but I still practice my kicks for the fun of it. I kick at the ceiling fans cords

[Candy Kappa]

I did Ju-Jitsu for over 10 years, I quit when it was changed to Sports Ju-Jitsu and focused more on point scoring and tournaments.

I am a student of Tenshi Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu, but I have been inactive for a couple of years due to moving away for studies. And right now I don't have time due to my two job schedule and lack of money to spare. SO I haven't advanced my training since I put it on hiatus. I do a few Kata now and then, mostly with Bokke. not too shabby with the Bo basics, but I barely remember the katas I learned.

[rei_kaiser]

Since being obsessed with the turtles from a young age, my dad use to let me watch the old Bruce lee films to see how nun chucks were used. That got me into martial arts and I have done judo at competition level for 2 years, aikido, jjitsu and wing chun. Being old enough now, I bought 2 sais, a bo staff, sword and nun chucks :) I'm currently on holidays at the moment but will upload photos when I get home to the uk!

[zkarlette]

I trained in MMA for about 4 years and I also practiced with the nunchuks, I had to stop months away from my black belt due to lots of RL stuff going on at that moment, having to quit still haunts me. I wish I could go back and finish what I started but due to health reasons I haven't been able to.

[Davin]

I did Ju-Jitsu for over 10 years, I quit when it was changed to Sports Ju-Jitsu and focused more on point scoring and tournaments.

There are actually some Submission Only tournaments that pop up from time to time now. No points, no time limits, I've seen matches that go from 45-60 mins in length. The longest I ever had was 25 mins thank goodness. :tdead:

[Gyt Kaliba]

Not exactly the same, and it wasn't fully inspired by TMNT (though that definitely had some impact in my interest in it), but when I was younger (about 13 or so I think), I took kenpo karate for about a year, if not less. I only ever got to yellow belt unfortunately, as my teacher ended up hurting his back and had to stop teaching, and by the time he was able to start up again, we didn't have the money for me to go back in.

If I ever had the time and money again, I'd definitely be interested in attempting to learn something again though. Anything that's actually interesting and would help me lose weight would be a plus. :P

[kelligrafie]

So I think we could probably conclude that money is the biggest obstacle in preventing us from chasing those ninja dreams. Shame.

I don't know if I'd want to get too far into the fighting side of things because I can have a temper (much like Raphael) and I wouldn't trust myself to not hurt say, someone who's just mugged an old lady.

But it would be good for building some light muscle all over. I'm quite keen to learn archery.

[Drose18]

I took tae kwon do for about three years then my "Master" called me gay and my parents were really pissed off.

[CyberCubed]

I took tae kwon do for about three years then my "Master" called me gay and my parents were really pissed off.

Lol.

I took Judo from the age of 6 to about 15 or 16. I can't remember exactly when I stopped. Must have been when I was in 10th grade.

[Luzmagica]

well.....not exactly for TMNT....

My father was trained in Judo, so the seed was there for me and my bro...

Currently my bro is training MMA, and about me....last month I won my Green belt in Hap Ki Do..... "not so bad for nobody" :lol: Im so proud about myself! :lol:

I only had started a few basics with a Bo.....:lol: That´s I actually enjoy a lot the "Pulverizer" ..... Folks stay away just in case :lol: ...my Bo can fly so far! :tlol::tlol::tlol: *Just kidding* ..... ;)

[jenna]

:lol:

I do a form of Karate called Bushido, which I love. I train with sai and occasionally we do a sword class. Surprisingly not because of TMNT. I chose sai because the options were bo, sai or nunchaku. I couldn't get on with bo (too clumsy) and nunchaku made me cry (too painful when you accidentally whack yourself in the face!!) I love sai though and get on with them really well.

I didn't do it because of TMNT but I suppose the ninja aspect made me more open to considering martial arts when looking for a fitness hobby. Previously I was a dancer and wanted to move into something else. My hubby does Aikido and trains with jo and bokken.

So... not actual ninja. Not patrolling the rooftops shrouded in shadow and silence quite yet. Got to get my black belt first.

[Lord Nightwalker]

*smiles* How's your Dakentaijutsu?

[CMIK3]

From what I've heard most stateside ninjutsu dojos are nothing to write home about.

As a kid my parents strictly forbid me from training martial arts for fear I'd get into fights at school. As an adult I've been training and competing in Brazilian JiuJitsu, Kickboxing, and MMA for a few years now.

My parents told me the same thing so I ran off & joined the military where it's required to learn combatives before being deployed. The Army program was taught by none other than Hoyce Gracie.

[Bossa Nova]

My New Year's resolution this year was to take a Tae Kwon Do class since I've been wanting to learn a martial art for awhile now and I finally had the time and resources in order to do so. I was pretty excited since our local dojo has a really good reputation and after I got back from my New Year's family vacation I had set up an appointment to drop by and get things all set up.

Then, on January 4th, while sledding with my cousin, I flew over a foot tall bump which landed me in the hospital with a compressed spine. So much for that resolution.

I still want to take the classes someday, and hopefully in a month or so I'll finally get to start.

[ShindoNinja]

Sorry for the long read.
I grew up in the late 80's. Martial arts were revered with mysticism and they were a way for me to connect to my heritage - I'm a half breed. Anyhow, I have trained in multiple martial arts. Tae-Kwondo, Gung-Fu/Chinese Boxing, Jeet-Kune-Do, Karate, Tai-chi, Aikido, Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Japanese Jiu-Jitsu. JJJ is the only one I have taken all the way to black belt. I currently teach Judo, BJJ and JJJ. I have learned striking, weapons and grappling.

I have never trained in a proper Ninjitsu school for a few reasons. It's hard to find authentic Japanese Arts in North America. Martial Artists fall into a few different categories. Unfortunately, one of those categories is the D&D playing, non realistic training practitioners. I have no problems with learning the history and nomenclature of the Japanese arts and not caring about actual combat effectiveness. I have no problem for OTHER people, but I want to learn what works.

If anyone out there is reading this, do not sign up at a school that drinks it's own kool aid if you are looking to learn how to defend your self. Think Napoleon Dynamite - Rex Kwon Do... If the instructor does not spar (and is young enough to) and does not, don't train there. What I'm saying is don't fool yourself into thinking you are learning techniques that are the be all and end all of everything. Battle is dynamic, fluid and in the moment. That is what makes it beautiful. No amount of kata or patterns can guarantee victory.

IMHO - If you want to defend yourself take some form of kick boxing, Judo and BJJ...or go to an MMA academy. If you want to learn weapons just for fun, sure find someone that will train you. If you want your training to be useful you need to spar with it. Something like Kendo or sparring would be the best.

I still think ninjas are "cool" of course!