Bujinkan Gaman Dojo

So many things to like about this dojo. The art itself: involves manipulating the opponent’s balance then inflicting damage once you have the upper hand. It’s less reliant upon brute strength, though it’s much easier if you’re in shape and build some muscle. That said, highly recommend for ladies who want to go beyond your old fashioned kick-at-the-purse-grabber’s-groin-then-run-away class and get into something really formidable and hard-core. These are powerful techniques that inflict serious damage on your opponent. Plenty of grappling, striking, throwing, pinning, countering, weapons training, etc. We also integrate conditioning into our exercises on certain days. Specific to this dojo: The atmosphere is lighthearted and welcoming. Instructors Rob and Phil are approachable, supportive, and insightful. They’ve never made me feel bad or embarrassed for not being able to get a difficult technique down the first couple times around. This is saying something coming from someone like me who’s had no previous training in any martial art and gets petrifyingly self-conscious. Personally, they are easy-going, warm, and friendly--not intimidating or judgmental. I’ve never felt like I couldn’t ask them something and they’re always willing to demonstrate a technique as many times as you need. So really, anyone who is serious can learn. It’s a big plus that there are two senseis. If I’m ever having trouble with something, at least one of them will know how to phrase the solution in such a way that it makes sense to me and sticks. This also helps you distinguish fundamental movements from matters of personal style. The classes are casual but there is still structure. If you are interested in learning a certain technique, for example, dealing with an enemy armed with a knife, you need only ask and the lesson will be given soon. They are not afraid to turn students away who are going to misuse the art or hinder/harm others/other students, so the class is free of troublemakers and nuisances. Answers to questions about the history, terminology, and tradition of Bujinkan are always available for you if you ask. This is so, so helpful because it can be confusing finding the right information on your own especially for us Westerners.Their certificates are posted in the dojo where anyone can view them and they regularly undergo advanced training with a variety of their own senseis including Dr. Luke Molitor, senior Shihan in the Bujinkan Dojo under the auspices of Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi, the grandmaster of our school. What’s authentic and sincere beyond all of this (for me at least) is the moments in training where you see their passion for Bujinkan come through the mundanities of training and their faces light up at how cool something they’re showing you is. These guys are truly life-long students of the art who love what they do and will help you love it too :) Awesome dojo!