Training for being Ninja - An introductory course (Level: Intermediate) (summary)
Lecturer: Jinichi Kawakami
Most of ninja training methods, "Ninja Shugyo", were only instructed orally, we can't find enough historical written material. Nevertheless we can introduce some of them which have been transmitted as the "Iga-Koga-den".
The most important point about doing Shugyo was not only to practice at the training but also to consciously always do something for Shugyo in everyday life. Especially, ninja were required to train themselves mentally + physically and they had to train continuously from early childhood on. The goal of this Shugyo was the unification of mind and body in order to get an imperturbable self-possession called "Fudoshin". Ninja needed to learn breathing exercises with some movements for their mental training. Through balance between breathing and moving they were able to find themselves in a mixture of spirituality and nature. Furthermore, they sometimes observed movements of animals for their physical training. They trained inner body muscles by using their breathing techniques and learned how to balance themselves as well as how to control the mental effect on their body condition. Through their basic practices, for example walking, jumping etc. they were able to learn how to use the theories of the technique for fighting.
Being an ultimate Ninja means that no one can notice your existence. We have to practice and study hard every day, because only Shugyo makes us perfect.