What is Tengu Training?

This weekend was designed to be my ultimate training weekend with my friends. The event isn’t really a seminar. Some material is covered, but what we are aiming for is training time, self discovery time, and boundary pushing time. Opportunities to get way out of our comfort zone. One of my personal areas of study has been the exploration of the Takagi Yoshin Ryu school of Ju-taijutsu or Jujutsu. During each of the Tengu weekends so far we have explored a couple of Takagi family kata and then drilled similar techniques and concepts. The training is physically and mentally demanding, as well as spiritually demanding if you allow it to be.  As with all of our events this is a “challenge by choice” weekend, but since you’re interested in this I assume that you are wanting to be pushed. I once had a kid ask me “when are we going to quit practicing “ninjutsu” and start doing “ninjutsu”? At Tengu we get to do “ninjutsu”!

As practitioners of Ninja family martial arts we have a historical connection with Shugendo Mountain Aesthetic practices of old Japan.  Those who historically practiced Shugen were referred to as Yamabushi or “those who submit themselves to the mountain”. Their aim was to subject themselves to several austerities to build their internal powers and to bring these powers back with them into their villages to be of service.  Through this connecting with Nature the Yamabushi were said to be able to control the elements. The Tengu Training austerities include several arduous trips down steep mountain trails, Tengu Sumo spirit testing grappling competitions, ice cold water immersions, and “Taki-Gyo” waterfall purification rituals. It is hard training in real wilderness.  

Through Tengu training, we are able to closely mirror this connection with Nature and the austerities practiced. Hiking, training, meditation, and cold water immersion are offered as an opportunity to build your internal power. On Shin-Togakure the rocks are slippery, cliffs are steep, and the water can be fast. If you are interested in attending, please reach out. Each of the Tengu experiences so far has been character building and mind opening for me, and I hope it can be for you too. See you on the mountain.