"I can only point the way, each of you must walk the path alone"

So, Who the hell do I think I am anyway ?

I have studied Martial arts for more years than I care to remember. I have seen in these years       many strange and fascinating things.                    

For over 23 years I have studied Ninjutsu with various teachers. My main lineage and the people I owe most thanks to are; Sensei Mark Lutman  (for starting me on the path)  Sensei Peter Brown - Soke Hatsumi (Soke Bujinkan) - Soto Tanemura (Soke Genbukan) - Shihan Doron Navon - Bo Munthe.                                             

I have studied with both Hatsumi Sensie and Tanemura Sensie (I do not claim to have been a personal student of either as many falsely do). I have never been a great believer in gradings as in the old days the only proof you had that you were any good was that you were alive, but for the sake of convention I have been graded up to 2nd Dan in both the Bujinkan and the Genbukan. (I will not grade above this as I have never seen any evidence to show the worth of higher grades). That was a long time ago and since then I have learnt so much. It is sad that in almost every martial art that 85% of all students who reach the black belt grade "give up" as this is when the learning begins. I have been teaching Ninjutsu for over 19 years now and before my move to New Zealand I had a Dojo on the south coast of England. I currently have Dojo in Stratford , New Zealand (which opened on 18th March 1999), New Plymouth, New Zealand which opened on 4th September 2000 and in Inglewood, New Zealand. I have also studied or at least attended seminars in almost every other Martial art available in England (Karate, Akido, Judo, Kendo, Spirit Combat, Kung-Fu, Ju-Jitsu, etc). I do not profess to be good at them but knowledge is a wonderful thing. Each of these arts has very valuable and varied techniques and it's own identity and place within the world of martial arts. The only art except Ninjutsu in which I have achieved a black belt is Karate. I am a great believer in Spirit and Mind training, which I believe is 90% of any Martial art. If the mind is trained it will train the body. If the Spirit is trained then you can become one with the universe.               My original lineage and affiliations Bujinkan South Coast Proud to have been licensed under the authority of Masaaki Hatsumi, 34th Grand Master, Bujinkan Dojo, Japan Ninjutsu South Coast Renamed Shinobi-Kai Sensei Peter Brown and Sensei Mark Lutman Nippon Dai Budo-Kai International Member Martial Arts Commission Qualified Coach