Oxford Shadow Warrior Bujinkan

**Crab** · Posted On: 9/04/2011 2:38pm

I used to train with these guys, and I think this review is pretty unfair. First of all if you only went to a couple of lessons I very much doubt you even scratched the surface.

To counter what you've written, I found the classes enjoyable, and the majority of it I found applicable. Obviously some elements of training (classical weapons, etc) aren't going to be the most "realistic" part of modern training, but that's not what they're there for.

The people are all really nice guys, the training atmosphere is great, and while they may not spar like MT or BJJ guys, that's not their aim. In the time I trained with them, they never claimed that the art worked "in the ring" etc, and I never found them "smug".

One of the guys has a kickboxing background and hits like an ox, I think if you'd trained with him you'd have known about it. The instructor you mention who doesn't "have much skill" I believe comes from a kyokushin background, and the "huge German guy" has I think, a TKD background.

I'm not here to start a flame war, just thought I'd try and show things from another perspective.

**captainbirdseye** · Posted On: 9/04/2011 4:56pm

Originally Posted by Crab

I think if you'd trained with him you'd have known about it. The instructor you mention who doesn't "have much skill" I believe comes from a kyokushin background, and the "huge German guy" has I think, a TKD background.

Don't think, feeeeel.

Or better yet, don't waste our time with **** you're not sure about.

**judoka_uk** · Posted On: 9/04/2011 5:06pm

If anyone is passing through Oxford and wants to learn some decent gi grappling.

Go here:
http://www.oxfordjudo.com/

If you want a beasting ask for Ifor or Ben and tell them they're a sheep shagger or question their mother's virtue, respectively.

**It is Fake** · Posted On: 9/04/2011 5:07pm

Originally Posted by Crab

I used to train with these guys, and I think this review is pretty unfair. First of all if you only went to a couple of lessons I very much doubt you even scratched the surface.

You are right and wrong at the same time. One class is enough to tell if an art is lacking what you want not years. Even in alive arts one or two classes are only going to scratch the surface of the art. You are comparing apples to oranges.

To counter what you've written, I found the classes enjoyable, and the majority of it I found applicable. Obviously some elements of training (classical weapons, etc) aren't going to be the most "realistic" part of modern training, but that's not what they're there for.

Applicable where exactly?

The people are all really nice guys, the training atmosphere is great, and while they may not spar like MT or BJJ guys, that's not their aim. In the time I trained with them, they never claimed that the art worked "in the ring" etc, and I never found them "smug".

Well many of us find the overreliance in street vs. ring argument smug.

One of the guys has a kickboxing background and hits like an ox, I think if you'd trained with him you'd have known about it. The instructor you mention who doesn't "have much skill" I believe comes from a kyokushin background, and the "huge German guy" has I think, a TKD background.

You just used 2 ALIVE arts to back booj training. You do see the problem right?

I'm not here to start a flame war, just thought I'd try and show things from another perspective.

You didn't.

**Kovacs** · Posted On: 9/04/2011 5:56pm

Originally Posted by shinobivoid

I think alot of the things you said are true, alot of their techniques are usless in a real fight.But i think their idea of training outside on different and uneven ground levels is somthing that could be very useful, for example if you trained yourself to spot areas in the ground that would disrupt your opponents footing you could possibly use that to your advantage. I also think that some of the strikes they use can be very affective, such as the chops to the neck, strikes to eyes etc. I think there is much you can use from it, and you can disregard everything else that you dont think would work. Im glad to see someone actually test it for themselves before rushing to talk trash and dismiss it.

If it's not trained in an alive manner you'd never even get a chance to use your surroundings to your advantage as you won't be able to apply anything that you've learned.

**TigerVDragon** · Posted On: 10/08/2011 1:27pm

I have some booj friends. They don't appear smug or the likes to me. Actually very humble and don't rave all the time about Hatsumi. That aside, when we talk about our various arts I get quite envious. They do ALL sorts of stuff. Survival training. Navigation. Night fighting, stealth. Acrobatics, distance weapons and close combat...even fighting in water. I would find it difficult to compare my sport to what appears to be a complete set of survival skills. It's like trying to compare apples and pears.

**The Juggernoob** · Posted On: 10/08/2011 1:36pm

Originally Posted by TigerVDragon

I have some booj friends. They don't appear smug or the likes to me. Actually very humble and don't rave all the time about Hatsumi. That aside, when we talk about our various arts I get quite envious. They do ALL sorts of stuff. Survival training. Navigation. Night fighting, stealth. Acrobatics, distance weapons and close combat...even fighting in water. I would find it difficult to compare my sport to what appears to be a complete set of survival skills. It's like trying to compare apples and pears.

No, its like comparing fighting to little kids dressing up and playing ninja.

**Jim_Jude** · Posted On: 10/08/2011 1:39pm

Originally Posted by TigerVDragon

I have some booj friends. They don't appear smug or the likes to me. Actually very humble and don't rave all the time about Hatsumi. That aside, when we talk about our various arts I get quite envious. They do ALL sorts of stuff. Survival training. Navigation. Night fighting, stealth. Acrobatics, distance weapons and close combat...even fighting in water. I would find it difficult to compare my sport to what appears to be a complete set of survival skills. It's like trying to compare apples and pears.

Jeebus Kraist.