A training session lasts for two hours and more often than not begins with a warm up. Most people who train will arrive at the Dojo, change into a Gi, which is a black training suit and then go into the dojo to warm themselves up. When everyone has arrived the class will start.
Mostly in a warm up we practice rolling and breakfalling, moving on to doing this with wooden training swords (Bokken) and other training tools as people progress. The basics of Sanshin and Kihon Happo are also used to warm up ready for the class.
The classes very on what is being shown at the time, sometimes we practice unarmed techniques and at others we may practice with wooden training weapons. A movement or principle will be shown and explained and the group will pair up with a partner and practice. Nobody is expected to get the movements or principles the first time they do them and nobody will laugh at you if you dont get things right. Everyone who trains is a student and all know how frustrating it can be to see something, and not be able to do, what on the surface seems to be a simple movement.
Sometimes a number of things will be shown and then be practiced. At other times however one technique or Kata will be worked on all class, this depends how the movement or principle is understood by those practicing it .
Most people who try the Bujinkan system find it wealth of techniques and it adaptability to different situations (within life as well as the Dojo) a benefit to their life. Yes, you will learn how to wrist lock or throw and opponent and how to pin them to the floor to protect your loved ones and yourself. Yes you will learn how to use Sticks, knives and swords along with other tools of the training, to be able to adapt everyday objects to help protect yourself in a violent encounter. More than this you will be better equipped to read the atmoshpere and be able to protect yourself and others, by understanding that the training is far more than just physical combat and that self defence does not begin at the moment someone decides to attack you.
