When things around us fall apart in a hostile way, when we go through difficult times, I firmly believe this movement is the best, fastest and most accessible form of therapy a person can turn to. Regardless of status or social condition. You can walk through the darkest darkness, as long as you remember to turn on your Inner Light!
For some time now I have become aware of the therapeutic side of Japanese martial arts. Whenever work sucks and I feel «overwhelmed» by everything going on around me, my body «demands» some movement, so I do a little workout. I practice the basic movements, the simple things that are explained to us in training. The feeling of peace that fills the body is amazing. This is how I began to understand what Sensei means when he says: “stop thinking about moves«. Shortly after starting to practice, my head simply goes blank, thoughts run away from there like partridges, which-where. Simply, I practice the movements without thinking about anythingbut I really feel them. I wasn’t even entirely convinced that such a thing was possible: to «get lost» in a movement, in an exercise, without thinking logically, coldly, every step, but feeling it. I have no idea when time passes, I’m probably doing something right, because I don’t get tired too quickly either.
The final, you feel like you’ve given yourself a little resetwhich matters enormously. It’s a burst of energy, a boost of inner strength that keeps you afloat and helps you get through another day. Somehow you managed to reduce the weight that oppressed you, you cleared your mind. Even though I know I’m in the mud (like many others), in Ninjutsu I have learned to look at the stars and remember to turn on the Inner Light. Little by little, during the training, I learned that reality is not only what is within the reach of our eyes, but also what is within the reach of our spirit. Still practicing (at home or in the gym), I understood how wrong it is to always want to squeeze everything into the straitjacket of your own fixed ideas. Of course, I still have work to do, but I also enjoy these small steps.
Sometimes I record small workouts at home. It helps me exercise my critical spirit and notice my mistakes. Yes… there are many! The critical spirit is intact and works like a Swiss watch, despite the difficult moments I go through. 🙂 Sometimes, after watching the recordings, I do a little off-the-record workout to cheer me up.
Conclusion
In the end, what truly matters is not perfection, but the quiet renewal that comes from persistence. Each training session, whether at the dojo or alone at home, becomes a small act of self-reconstruction—a gentle reset that restores balance between body and mind. Through ninjutsu, I have learned that progress often hides in the smallest gestures: a steadier breath, a clearer focus, a moment of calm amid exhaustion. These little steps, though humble, are what carry me forward.
Even when life feels heavy, the discipline reminds me to look beyond the mud—to lift my eyes toward the stars and rekindle that inner light that refuses to fade. This practice is not just about physical movement; it’s a spiritual exercise in awareness, patience, and acceptance. It has taught me that reality extends far beyond what we can see. What truly defines us is our capacity to transform difficulty into strength, and doubt into understanding.
Recording my own training has also become part of this journey. Watching myself move, stumble, and improve allows me to see both flaws and growth more clearly. My critical spirit, once harsh and unforgiving, now serves as a guide rather than a judge. It pushes me to refine, not to despair. Those “off-the-record” moments—when I train just for the joy of it—remind me why I started: because movement brings freedom, and freedom brings peace.
So, while I still have far to go, I take comfort in knowing that progress is already happening. Each practice, each reflection, each renewed effort becomes a thread in the fabric of resilience. And perhaps that’s the true essence of ninjutsu—not merely fighting or discipline, but learning to rise, realign, and keep the inner light burning, one quiet step at a time.
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