This is a brief diary of how I began training in Ninjutsu and what the first few months were like and what I was thinking and feeling at the time.

How it started: I have always believed that a female should have the ability to be able to defend herself, especially in this modern world of violence, so when Steve, a friend of mine, asked me if I would be interested in doing Ninjutsu I thought "why not" it could only help. I have grown up in a military bred family with two older brothers and having been in the Navy myself I didn't mind the rough and tumble side of things. I found (and still do) that a lot of my friends give me funny looks as if to say "what would she want to do that for?" when I told them I was joining a Ninjutsu class. 1st night (April 1999) Steve picked me up. I was very nervous, not knowing anyone there except Steve and not knowing what to expect having never been to a Dojo before. I suppose I was expecting it to be something like the movies with some guy walking around yelling at you. I met Jim (Sensei) who I found was patient and willing to spend time with us all to show us and explain how, why and what we needed to do. Everything felt very awkward, but Jim and the other students seem to be really nice so I will be back. Weeks 2-3 I am starting to realise that there is much more to this Ninjutsu than just self defense. It's history and spiritual side I find fascinating. I am still feeling very awkward and clumsy and I get really frustrated with myself as I have trained in dance and have modeled but this just wasn't looking too graceful. I suppose it takes time and I just have to be patient. I'm finding that the two hours just fly by. The saying "time flys when you are having fun" is so true. Weeks 4-5 (May 1999) I've now decided I really want to stick to this (Ninjutsu), as well as enjoying it I'm also learning so much - great. I still feel awkward and still get very frustrated with myself. I try to practice the moves daily, much to my husbands amusement, but I also notice that he won't let me practice on him so it must be working. I'm having a bit of trouble with a few things still i.e. punching because I've never really had to punch anyone before, I'm a better wrestler and the backwards roll (it's meant to be the easiest), theres just something there that doesn't flow. Weeks 6-8 The stances are becoming a bit more natural but far from graceful (how does Jim make it look so easy?). There are a few more regular students now which is great, all shapes and sizes, so the variety is good for training. We are now training towards our 9th Kyu grading (1st one) which has me a bit worried as I've always been the type of person who, no matter how prepared they are, always tend to loose it in the exam situation, so fingers crossed. July 1999 Everything is starting to fall into place. I can remember the basics off by heart and I am starting to feel a lot more confident and comfortable. I am also starting to slow things down and am thinking more about my posture. I have been working a lot with my grading partner Sara, who has been a great help as we are starting to iron out all our little problems as well as having fun. I'm finding myself practicing in every spare moment I have, even at work when its quiet. The guys think I'm nuts but every little bit helps. I'm still having trouble with my backwards roll (frustrating) but will keep at it and hopefully it will fall into place. We have ordered our Gi's, can't wait to get them as I think it will alter the whole attitude of the Dojo. As time goes by I'm finding myself looking more and more forward to our two training nights (as well as our extra training sessions). 8th July We had a really good training night and a break from the grading techniques. We had some fun with other moves and a play around with pressure points. I got a real kick out of them, it's a great feeling to have someone down on the ground helpless and then apply pressure to certain points of the body (boy, did Sara jump. Great fun, hehehe). Most of the other students got their Gi's tonight, but mine was way too big (poo) so I will just have to wait until next week. Everyone looked so great and you could sense the pride in the Dojo. We had two new students tonight and both seemed to enjoy it so hopefully we will see them back on Monday. Steve has arranged a practice session for us on Sunday afternoon at the gym where he works and I'm really looking forward to it (can't get enough). Note to myself: Must stop apologising to people if I hit, push, poke them a bit harder than I mean to. I forget that my body, as well as all the others in the group, is getting harder. We tend to play a bit rougher now than when we first started (ask my husband, he wont let me practice on him now). Even our Sensei is starting to get his stick out now (hehehe private joke). Monday 12th July Another fantastic night, we did some wicked techniques with staffs, ranging from the inchimonji no kata (defense against a straight punch, only from the staff being thrust at your head) to more difficult disarming techniques. I think we all had a ball. I partnered with our Sensei, so got to display the techniques in front of the class which was a real buzz. Another big bonus for me was doing the shoulder roll without hurting my shoulder, (yea) no more bruising, must be improving. All in all I'm starting to feel a lot more comfortable in myself and with the rest of the group. Only one more class before grading on Sunday (fingers crossed). Thursday 15th July We used the big hall tonight, a bit more room to move which was good. Had a couple of new people join us tonight. Sara and I joined them during one technique which I think intimidated them a bit at first. Well only two more days until grading so the nervous are kicking in. Friday - Got my gi today (yea), took it home and put it straight in the wash so I can wear it on Sunday. The Big Day, Sunday 18th July 1999 I planned on having a sleep in but was awake at 6.30am, nerves already churning away in the pit of my stomach. Sara arrived at approx 10.30am and we decided not to train (if we didn't know the techniques by now we shouldn't be grading) so we spent the rest of the morning relaxing, talking and eating a light lunch. We made sure we arrived at the Dojo well ahead of time so we could help with sweeping the floors and had plenty of time to change into our gi's without a last minute rush. At 2pm we started with our usual routine which actually helped calm the nerves a bit, but that didn't last as Sara and I were drawn out first to face the grading. Everything seemed to go fairly well and I found my nerves improved as soon as we had finished, so I was glad we were first draw as I don't think I would survived until last. After seeming to be so calm and collected all day (and a great help to me, thanks Sara) Sara's nerves started to kick in, so it was good when it came time to hear if we had passed or not. Yes, we both did, yea, what a rush of emotion, the first step was taken (it only gets harder from now on). That night we all (well just about all) went out for a meal and to unwind a bit which was excellent, everyone was in such a good mood, the conversation was great and I think we started to get to know each other a lot better. Monday 19th July I think everyone was still buzzing from Sunday, I know I was. Again we had a great lesson. I got partnered with a new girl which was different. I think you tend to forget how awkward and clumsy you were to begin with. I took our video along, so that should be interesting once I fill up the tape, and hopefully a good excuse for us to get together to analyze it. Monday July 26th Tonight training with a twist, we had plastic cups filled to approximately an inch to the top with water, we then had to complete techniques without loosing all or loosing as little water as possible, its amazing how getting yourself or your partner wet makes you slow things down and think about your posture a lot more. To finish the night off we had a competition in shoulder rolls ( still holding the cup of water)and the person with the most water remaining in the cup being the winner ( Marc won) it was all great fun. Another buzz tonight was I started to do the front and shoulder roll without the use of my hands, not too bad, but the other ones still need a lot of work, mainly the backwards roll, still having a lot of trouble with that one. Thursday July 29th Got my tabi tonight, now I'm all kited out (YES) feeling a bit more like a Ninja now, its such a buzz going to the Dojo to train and seeing us all in our gi's instead of looking like any old Joe that has wandered in off the streets. We started adding our rolls to techniques tonight, which has taught me I still need a lot more practice with the rolls, but hey I still need a lot more practice with everything, but I'm slowly getting there. Friday night - spending the night walking around in my tabi getting use to the feel of them. Monday August 2nd What did we do tonight?, lots of rolls, just when I thought I had gotten over the bruising. I'm starting to do rolls without the use of my arms, so here we go again bruised shoulders and back, looks like someone has given me a good beating, oh well it will improve. Also tonight we were told our first seminar is coming up on the 15th August (can't wait) its an open seminar so anybody out there that reads this and can make it to little old Stratford that weekend please come along we would love to meet you. Thursday August 5th No rolls tonight, yeah, that gives my shoulder time to heal, but I'm still determined to continue to do them without the use of my arms bruises or not. We did a lot of techniques involving thumb strikes (Boshi Ken) and pressure points (kyusho) which was cool, I love pressure points, mind you it's always better being on the giving end not the receiving (hey Sara & Gwen) but what goes round always comes round and you don't learn unless you can feel the effects. The Seminar August 15th 1999 What a great day, we did lots and lots and lots of different things. The day just went to quick. Things that stood out to me were the tennis ball threaded onto a piece of string with two people holding each end and one (or two) persons punching or kicking it ( the tennis ball that is )and trying to avoid the backlash. The Kenjutsu (sword techniques) were also alot of fun, I enjoyed stalking Sara with the Bokken and getting the general feel of carrying and wielding a sword. Also the Kusari-Fundo (weighted chain ) of course we didn't use a real one (or I don't think alot of us would have made it out of the Dojo without an injury ) but a dressing gown type cord with knotted ends was perfect to train with and gave us all the general idea of what this weapon is capable of. As I said, the whole day went way to fast but a great deal of fun was had by all and learning wise it was very beneficial and well worth it. Monday August 16th 1999 A nice quite night tonight, and boy did I need it, I don't know about the other students but I certainly found a few muscles I hadn't used for awhile.We just spent the night revising some techniques. Thursday August 19th 1999 Sara is away sick and boy did we miss her, especially me. Mind you I got to train with Tom who was really good, like Sara and I he tends to analyze and talk moves through which I think we both learn from, also it's also interesting to train with someone alot bigger then you to see how everything works against the size difference. We are starting to involve our rolls with techniques now which is a completely different ball game, instead of being able to take time with them you have to do them without thinking or you run into the likelihood of wearing a punch (not nice). I also heard tonight that Sara and I have a special part to play in the next Seminar in Tauranga, in which we will be exploring the Kunoichi side of things a bit more, cant wait sounds exciting. ____________________________________________________________ ' I hope that this diary of how I began in Ninjutsu inspires others to train hard and reach thier goals.'