The Initial Learning Curve of Ninjutsu

As I overheard a senior student at the dojo explaining to a new student recently, the learning curve for ninjutsu is initially longer and slower than for other more well-known martial arts, fighting sports and self-defence systems.

Here are Two Unscientific Graphs just to put an image on the idea. Assume an equivalent, moderate level of intensity of training for both, similar starting fitness and ability, etc., and define "Fighting Effectiveness" as "holding one's own in self-defence situations". (For sparring & tournament situations, we would probably exaggerate the difference.)

The "6 months, 1 year, 2 year" marks for Time are very rough ideas, and of course I haven't put any particular scale on Fighting Effectiveness. The main point is to illustrate that in the first year or so, the learning curves are very different.

What might account for this difference? Here are two reasons I understand.

1. Nature of the in-class training: technique over fitness.

At least at Budo Montreal, classes focus almost exclusively on techniques, rather than fitness & conditioning. (The flexibility exercises of junan taiso being the exception.) I think this is appropriate: since we have limited time with our teacher, let's use it for what he's most uniquely qualified to teach us! But it does mean students' overall fitness is very much in their own hands This requires more time and discipline investment, which if they come at all, are less likely to come in the first year while you're still getting your head around the new habit of going to the dojo. And fitness (including the resiliency to be able to punch someone without hurting your hand!) is a huge part of fighting effectiveness, in sparring & tournaments especially.

2. Foreign-ness of the movements, aka: White Belt is the Toughest Belt.

The movements of ninjutsu are very different from most martial arts, sports -- or just plain most activities one is likely to have done in North America. To give two broad examples: we move on profile, rather than with the body "open" or facing forward; and we don't use our hips for power movements. The time spent adjusting and habilitating to these new principles of movement slows the learning curve. While learning the new way of moving, your fighting effectiveness isn't really climbing. Once it's learned, though, this way of moving has huge benefits.

Different Needs for Different Times

Your choice of art depends on your taste and needs right now. Why are you training, or interested in training? Do you want to compete? Learn self-defence? Get fit? Get "tough"? Look tough? Meet like-minded people? Immerse yourself in an art? Feel safe? Become a warrior? Obviously it could be any combination of these and other factors.

Ninjutsu is a fighting art with enough technical, philosophical and aesthetic depth to last lifetimes, as well as provide incredible fighting ability in the long run. It requires finding a great teacher, which can be difficult. And you have to do your fitness and conditioning on your own time. It is not a quick road to self-defence efficacy, but it's an extraordinarily rich journey that can make you into a heckuva warrior if you train well and persevere.