DONRYU (the Earth Dragon) is a massive bodied serpent with a turtle-like shell and scales as hard as the finest steel. This creature has an immovable gaze that challenges anyone who dares to stand in the way of its objectives. Completely fearless in the face of danger. The Earth Dragon can never be unbalanced or tricked into action. The Earth Dragon’s gift to the Ninja is one of firm resolve and superior strength in combat.
Earth is the first level of the Kurai Kotori Ninja’s elemental training. It is here the Earth Ninja learns to tap into their ability to hold their ground with firm intensity. Impenetrable shielding with the limbs that can absorb immense energy, quickly capturing an opponent at close range, delivering impacts with devastating power, and the ability to enter, throw and dominate an opponent on the ground is the essence of Earth combat.
MEDITATION
SPIRIT
BALANCE
POSTURE
MOVEMENT
EXERCISES
IRONWOOD TACTIC
STONE TACTIC
UPROOTING TACTIC
AVALANCHE TACTIC
BOULDER TACTIC
UNIFIED TACTICS
MIZURYU (the Water Dragon) has a sleek serpentine body that slithers through the sea with incredible speed. The Water Dragon emerges from the depths only long enough to drag its opponent under. Gifted in the ways of trickery, the Water Dragon uses its supple body to entangle its prey, immobilizing them long enough to deliver a deadly bite. The Water Dragon’s gift to the Ninja is guile and swiftness.
Water is the second level of the Kurai Kotori Ninja’s elemental training. It is here the Water Ninja learns about fluidity, speed and power. These are the aspects of fighting that are imperative to the Ninja. To be able to sidestep attacks, over extend the opponent as they attack and blow through them with wave-like power. The essence of this training is to teach the Ninja to anticipate attacks, redirect them, and ultimately apply immobilizing joint locks, controls and/or strikes.
MEDITATION
SPIRIT
BALANCE
POSTURE
MOVEMENT
EXERCISES
ROLLING SEAS TACTIC
RECEDING WAVE TACTIC
JAGGED REEF TACTIC
UNDERCURRENT TACTIC
RECOILING TACTIC
UNIFIED TACTICS
HIRYU (the Fire Dragon) is a fierce creature shrouded in a cloak of smoke and flame. Concerned only with attack, the Fire Dragon spreads its mighty wings to envelop and devour its opponents. Like a powerful eruption, the Fire Dragon’s presence is overwhelming. Many just stare in awe as they are ultimately destroyed. The Fire Dragon’s gift to the Ninja is spiritual domination.
Fire is the third level of the Kurai Kotori Ninja’s elemental training. It is here the Fire Ninja must tap into their ability to refine their attacking skills to the highest degree possible. Even defensive moves must be aggressive, damaging the opponents limbs as they are extended outward toward the Ninja. Such ferocity can often cause endurance to be depleted quickly, so the Ninja must not only be explosive, they must ensure their attack combinations are highly effective at the same time as maximizing the use of their vital energy.
MEDITATION
SPIRIT
BALANCE
POSTURE
MOVEMENT
EXERCISES
INFERNO TACTIC
SMOKE TACTIC
FLASH TACTIC
BURN TACTIC
DANCING FLAME TACTIC
UNIFIED TACTICS
KAZERYU (the Wind Dragon) is a long slender creature surrounded by a vortex of clouds. Unable to be touched, the Wind Dragon floats just beyond the reach of its opponent. Able to deliver remarkable blasts of power. The Wind Dragon strikes from a distance, knocking its opponents into oblivion. The Wind Dragon’s gift to the Ninja is unmatched speed and agility.
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS ENROLLED IN IN-STUDIO OR VIRTUAL TRAINING PROGRAMS
Wind is the fourth level of the Kurai Kotori Ninja’s elemental training. It is here the Wind Ninja learns to tap into their ability stay just beyond reach until an opening presents itself. Although the concept of avoiding an opponents attacks appears fundamental, if one is excessive when dodging, they will need to cover too much distance when re-entering to counter-attack. This is unacceptable. Wind should bend around the opponents aggression, not run from it.
Wind Center
1 INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO
Wind Traits
1 INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO
Wind Convergence
1 INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO
Wind Dragon
1 INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO
Wind Footwork
1 INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO
Agility
1 INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO
KOGOSHIIRYU (the Celestial Dragon), the Master of Dragons, the is the ultimate reflection of balance. Within this creature resides an equal blend of the elemental forces that work in unison to create the most powerful force in the universe. The Celestial Dragon’s gift to the Ninja is the ability to adapt to any situation as it occurs.
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS ENROLLED IN IN-STUDIO OR VIRTUAL TRAINING PROGRAMS
Celestial is the final level of the Kurai Kotori Ninja’s elemental path. The Ninja has completed training in the Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind levels and has developed a solid understanding of their gifts and limitations with each element. It is now time to delve deep within, striving to balance these furies so they are working as a unified force that can emerge instinctively and respond to conflict as it occurs. At this point the Ninja must embark on a journey of "Muto," or "No Sword," which means the Ninja will fight unarmed against an armed assailant.
Defense against stick weapons
6 INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS
Defense against bladed weapons
6 INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS
Defense against flexible weapons
6 INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS
Defense against projectile weapons
6 INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS
Strategic Theory
1 INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO
Grips
1 INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO
Postures
1 INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO
Cutting attacks
1 INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO
Flailing Attacks
1 INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO
Striking Attacks
1 INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO