The world has changed; pollution with irrelevant information is constant. It’s so easy to get distracted. Just observe where your simple Google search gets you - usually it’s (after a few clicks that ARE so irresistible) far away from what you really wanted to explore.

That’s where ninjability should kick in! It’s about being conscious of your body, situation and surroundings completely. What does that mean? And how to develop it? I already wrote about Zen gait (read it here: http://www.idocde.net/idocs/1681 )

So, one aspect of ninjability is being silent as a cat; that is - being present while moving. It is about REAL awareness of your body and motorics - try for example a simple task: walk barefooted on concrete and try not to make a sound. After few tries, you can walk silently; perfect! Now change the task a bit; walk in shoes. Change the surface - walk on an old wooden floor; or on shellac - you see how difficulty level changes? Now, try to spice it up even more: try rolling silently; then moving; then jumping - just using the space in 4 dimensions. Bit by bit, you will understand your body mechanics more, and never again will you take the surface for granted - which really comes in handy. Then use this in your advantage - move everywhere you can, absorb the feedback you get from the surface. As a performer and stuntman, I had the opportunity to explore a lot. And that knowledge saved me some serious cuts and bruises.

Through being silent and aware of the impact/landing and amortization you are really taking care of your joints, bones, connective tissue, muscles and skin. Also there is a psychological benefit - your body doesn’t hurt; you will adopt new movement more rapidly because you know your body mechanics much better now.
Many times students asked me - how come you don’t make a sound while landing; the answer is simple; be aware! Be 100% there! And it’s a long process, especially with the new moves - but that’s where the treasure is ;)

The other aspect is focus; but this I’ll leave for some other article ;)

Thank you for your time, stay well!