Rick Tew

[L. johnson]

My 17 y/o son seriously wants to attend CMS. The sales person I talked to sounded sincere, but I want to know what others think of this program. Andrew's goal is to open his own school and seems to think that this is the type of MA he wants to be involved in. I have checked out other web sites looking for info and google searches mostly turn up Tew's promotional stuff.

Honest opinions please.

[AlexM]

I have never dealt with Rick Tew or his organization. I have only been practicing kendo for 2 years. But I can honestly say, without risk of hyperbole or error, that he's a gigantic wanker. My eyes still hurt from the last time I visited his site (damn you Phorest!).

His site presents no official recognition from any organization. He is too young to have founded a school. He can't even use basic Japanese properly (referring to himself as "sensei Tew" instead of "Tew sensei" is the first clue). Plus, he obviously lives in the 1980s.

He's a rip off artist. What he practices has nothing to do with martial arts, budo or anything else. It's a show for the viewing public.

There was a thread about him here: http://www.kendo-world.com/forum/showthread.php?t=679

You can also check on e-budo.com . They have an entire section called Baffling budo or Bad budo dedicated to snake oil dealers such as Mr. Tew.

I urge thee in the name of all that is Holy to keep thine kin from that organization! (that was maybe a bit too much...)

[jmarsten]

I visited the Rick Tew site which raised several question in my mind.
Do ninja's have an arrangement with police departments to avoid arrest for killing people? You never hear of them being arrested.
How many do you think they have to kill to get a blackbelt?
Do they ever lose death matches? You would think some of them would disappear, but they don't seem to.
Don't they stand out in a crowd dressed in black pajamas with a hood? Of course they could be mistaken for some teenagers, especially with the spikes and all.
How come they don't join the Navy Seals or Army Special Forces?
If they get layed off are they eligible for unemployment compensation?
Just a few things I wonder about.

[JSchmidt]

If they get layed off are they eligible for unemployment compensation?
Just a few things I wonder about.

Most of your answers can be found here:

http://www.realultimatepower.net/

(Sorry, can't have a ninja thread without a link to this site:D)

Jakob

[sminki]

It's easy for young kids to be attracted to crap like this, but your son would learn just as much by renting and watching American Ninja 1, 2, 3 and 4. Renting the four videos would probably be much cheaper though.

Seriously, you should have a sit-down with your son and really talk about this one - especially if he wants to eventually open his own school, etc. Would he be interested in learning to twirl a fake "sword" and teach that to people? If he's insistent on learning nin-jitsu, I believe there are (albeit relatively very few) serious teachers out there.

[Phorest]

Yes...go have a quick look at the thread Alex posted a link to. The...for lack of a better description...utter garbage he teaches is but a shell of real Martial Arts. It is how to "twirl" a sword, as previously mentioned.

My advice (and take this with a grain of salt, cause I'm only 18 :) ) would be to try your hardest to get your son interested in REAL, HONEST, TRADITONAL martial arts. Find a school near you that teahces an authentic system of martial arts (be it Kendo, Aikido, or any of the various Ryu of Karate) that is historically linked and REAL. What "sensei Tew" is going to teach your son is a *cough* bastardized version of actual martial arts.

I can see this from your son's point of view though. I remember being a (younger) kid and wanting to be able to do all the flashy stuff thats in the movies...and was more worried about giant flying kicks than authentic self defense techniques. So I can see how this will be hard for you. Us old farts like to know that what we're studying is totally aunthentic and passed down from generation to generation and has retained its original teachings. Kids on the other hand don't care about that kind of stuff...and want to go for the "1 year blackbelt grandmaster sensei" program so that they can tell all their friends how they have a blackbelt...etc. Struggling through real martial arts training to actually acheive a "real" shodan ability level is something that takes dedication and devotion. 2 things a kid rushing through so they can do the twirling kicks and look like "Rick Tew" probably doesn't have. I assume that your son is younger...I could be totally off-base here. Anyways...I digress.

But...by all means...please don't let idiots like Rick tew spoil another potential martial artist.

Good luck. :)

[Phorest]

EDIT: Doh...it says 17 y/o son. Sorry! My mistake. Just forget all of that then. :wink:

[Anjin-san]

In my humble 18 year old, been doing Kendo for three months opinion:

You get the idea about Rick Tew Fu Manchu ninja-art-of-the-triple-breasted-death-monkey-ryu style of MA. Stay away from it like the plague, before you or your son start to take it seriously.

If it's Kendo in particular your son is interested in (I take it you live in America):

http://www.kendo-usa.org/statedojolist.htm

go there for a list of AUSKF affiliated dojo's, else in the UK:

http://www.kendo.org.uk

likewise for BKA

If your son wants to start Kendo, you can't go wrong in looking at national governing bodies and finding local training from there.

(I think) this applies for other martial arts also. I assume tew looks appealing to someone who's never done ANY martial art, and thats possibly due to the fact that he's teaching you punches kicks and 'swordfighting combat game'.

If your son wants to learn to fight other people with a sword, go to Kendo, if he wants to learn how to use a sword without fighting others, go to Iaido, a staff, go to Jodo, a Polearm, naginata, his bare hands and feet, karate/TaeKwonDo. Make sure you do plenty of research and find out about governing bodies. Another scam-artist to steer clear of is Ashida Kim or anyone else who calls himself a grandmaster maestro or anything silly like that. In fact forget ninjitsu altogether.

The only two rules are a) Thou shalt practice at a governing body affiliated dojo and b) Thou shalt not chew on tew.

It's just that people who take this kind of thing (referring to tew) look so silly to real martial artists, at e-budo they have a picture thread where they post pics and laugh at this kind of thing. I personally feel sorry for these people because if they'd applied their enthusiasm to real martial arts then they'd probably be quite good. Thats just my 0.02 pounds sterling.

Good luck to you and your son.

[Anjin-san]

P.S. his 'sword tactics' video makes me want to to do 500 suburi

[swrdply400mrela]

P.S. his 'sword tactics' video makes me want to to do 500 suburi

:laugh:

I just watched his sword sparring video as well. I can very much say that I am feeling the uprising of bile from well within my gut.

[aru-ma]

actually if you go to e-budo you can see a whole list of this so called martial artists it might help you or/and your son a right pick the right martial arts. There's a whole bunch of legitimate martial arts in the US, dont get sucked in to Tew type of "Martial arts". Oh and stay clear of McDojo's too, they look legitimate but they're not.

heh heh heh "chew on tew" I like that :laugh:

[L. johnson]

Have gone to several of the web sites mentioned and discussed my findings with the son. His argument is that the reason Tew does not use Japanese apporpriately is that he is trying to break with stodgy tradition of how martial arts have been taught.
It sort of smacks of a cult to me. He has a new revelation of how martial arts should be. Plus he has all these excuses for why he is not recognized by traditional MA organizations.
I have visited his website and am personally very bothered by his green Ninja side business. "Relationship Marketing" would appear to be a fancier word for a pyramid scheme. He is selling liquid chlorophyll which can be purchased at any health food store probably for much less. The alkalizing diet he espouses is pretty close to macrobiotic. If you are not very, very careful about how you eat you will become malnourished and anemic. So, of course you would need the liquid chlorophyll to overcome the anemia.
There are way to many things about Tew that I am uncomfortable with, starting withhis not retruning my calls and questions. He appears more than happy to answer questions from students that are interested but not from people with serious concerns.
Thank all very much for your thoughtful answers. Unfortunately the son will soon be 18 and can make this bad decision for himself. Anyone know a good deprogrammer?

[Jearom]

Oh oh oooooooh
You´ve got to check this out, it´s Rick Tew´s gang on adventure.
Almost halfway trough there´s a second or two of swordplay and it´s a daisy.
Please endure the beginning ´cause the sword between the legs is one in a million.

http://www.winjitsu.com/adventure_2.html

[Neil Gendzwill]

His argument is that the reason Tew does not use Japanese apporpriately is that he is trying to break with stodgy tradition of how martial arts have been taught.

You'll find that quite a few of us here are stodgy traditionalists. If your son wishes to break from tradition, why is he interested in a school obviously trading on the mythical? Maybe he should check out a Brazilian Jujutsu school or a mixed martial arts school for effective non-traditional combat training. Although to be frank if his goal is to make a career of teaching martial arts, outfits like Tews' are probably the model to follow. Nobody makes much money off this stuff unless they gussy it up and sell it in through a chain store or pyramid sort of scam.

[AlexM]

Mr. Johnson,

I hate to break it to your son but there is very little chance of his "making a living" in Martial Arts in North America (not legitimately at any rate). Even if he were to move to Japan there would be little to no chance of success (even on the off-chance that he become a Japanese police officer he will not be able to gain rank or career advancement through kendo... and besides, that's my dream so he can't have it!).

If your son wants to gain prestige and a carreer through martial arts he's a bit misguided (no offense). There is NO prestige in martial arts whatsoever in the West. Those people that wish to gain any kind of status outside of the martial arts context (i.e. in the real world) are usually poor bastards that have failed lives (I'll no doubt be joining their ranks shortly). Please try to explain to him that there is nothing to be gained in devoting one's live to such a pursuit.

By the way, being stoggy doesn't mean there's no fun involved. It just means you stay with what works in terms of techniques. There is still plenty room to have a bit of fun on the side that doesn't take away from learning proper budo.

One more thing on Mr. Tew, he practices gymnastics and stage fighting, not martial arts. And yes, it does look rather cultish.

[L. johnson]

Hate to break this you you all, but I am not a mister. I am Andrew's mom. I hope that not declaring my gender did not breach any list rules. If it did I apologize.
I hope that the answers you gave would not have been different. I did not wish to be seen as an overprotective mom. I only wished objective information and honest opinion. Again sorry about the gender thing. I am a midwife and in my world most of the list are populated by women. Again thank you for the information. I look forward to the continuing discussion.

[Neil Gendzwill]

I hope that not declaring my gender did not breach any list rules.
Rules? We got rules? I wouldn't worry about it. Glad we were able to be of some help.

[LNGUYEN]

Ask him a question more understandable. How come people have to study at least 8 years in college to get a PhD and or you can purchase a PhD on the internet without studying? Martial art is exactly same thing. Rich Tew may know some fancy moves, but when the skill is needed, he probably is the first to run away. If your son want to look fancy, nobody can stop him to go to Rick Stew for fancy moves then later he can open a fancy moves dojo (it is not even a martial art). Your Son is 17 years old and if he didn't see the scam there, then no one can help him. Just don't pay for him. Oh by the way you don't have to go to Rick for fancy moves, just rent some movies.

[L. johnson]

We perhaps have reached detente (sp?). He was arguing with me about how Tew's stuff exploits the faults in other MA's and Tew's guys do so great at tournaments. Our compromise is that he will use what he has already learned from the home study program, enter the next open tournament and prove how superior this stuff is.
After watching some of these videos and reading criticisms of Tew's methods, I'm sure that one of two things will happen. He will fall back on the stuff he learned at a traditional school and win, or he will get his butt whooped.
It is interesting that whether Tew is a cult master must have come up more than once because he has info in his FAQ's that he is not a cult because he doesn't promote religion, and is not trying to start an army. However, the language he uses has the hallmarks of a cult.

[Siglith234]

I watch some of those movies but just couldndt take the rest..
:gasmask:

Taking away tradition is the worst thing you could possibly do to martial arts. Having studied Kung Fu for 2-3 years i feel tradition is very iportant. But taking that away makes it Suck.

[etherknot]

We perhaps have reached detente (sp?). He was arguing with me about how Tew's stuff exploits the faults in other MA's and Tew's guys do so great at tournaments. Our compromise is that he will use what he has already learned from the home study program, enter the next open tournament and prove how superior this stuff is.
After watching some of these videos and reading criticisms of Tew's methods, I'm sure that one of two things will happen. He will fall back on the stuff he learned at a traditional school and win, or he will get his butt whooped.


This is turning out to be quite an interesting thread. I somehow knew we'd hear more of Mr. Tew in the future and look! :)

Anyhow I'd like to point out that tournaments aren't everything (your son may eventually come to this conclusion later in life). Maybe in Mr. Tew's land of er, fancy moves stuff it is. But the one thing about kendo that I like is that winning is not everything. You will often lose in shiai (sparring) and sometimes you'll win. It's kind of like life. You win, you lose. You can't always win. No matter how "superior" Mr. Tew sells you it is.

[Hongsermeier]

I just finished watching Mr. Tew's sword technique video's. Everyone in the office is wondering why I'm laughing so much. In most of the forms when someone is attacking him they are so off balanced all he would have to do is step aside and they would miss. I'm also wondering why after he has cut them 3 or 4 times he still needs to kick them to knock them over. I would love to see a demo by him and volunteer to try him out. :cross_eye

[AlexM]

Hate to break this you you all, but I am not a mister. I am Andrew's mom.

You're a woman!

D'OH!!!

I'm so sorry. I had no idea. I'm sure that... ummmm... you're very attractive and all :nervous: ... Not that I was looking or anything! (sweating profusely) I mean... uhhhh... how would I do that after all? (drowning in sweat). Can we change the subject please?

I'm very sorry.

ummmm... Rick Tew is a fraud and a wanker! (I just needed to say that in case any people had doubts as to what I thought)

Note to the moderators: May I suggest that there be a place for members to indicate their gender in their profile so that AlexM in particular can avoid making a total ass of himself. (It won't completely stop me...)

[KATSUJIN]

Oh god no!!!! not rick tew!!!

Oh...hi guys...couldnt log reply for awhile...very busy...

as i was saying...

OH GOD!!!! My eyes still hurt after watching that 'martial arts' of 'sensei Tew'......

:eek:

[Yowai]

L. johnson:

Consult a psychologist regarding the most effective way to educate your son. He needs to acquire sufficient common sense in order to dodge more harmful scams and frauds later in his life. Imagine if your son sincerely believes in make-money-at-home-with-no-effort scams in the near future. Woudn't you be embarrassed? He should know better.

[PhilMcLaughlin]

well this may be controversial - but perhaps the best thing is to tell him to get on with it, but to tell him to take out his own health insurance and pay for it himself

Frankly if he wants to join up then hes just being a sucker - Id advise you not to help him with any form of payment - home study ? - would you learn gymnastics at home without equipment and supervision ?

Looking at the sword videos in partcular id guess that not many accolytes (oops sorry its not a cult really ;-) pass the stringent tests required - most likely because they are going to pick up a lot of injuries very quickly (i really liked the tsuki into the chest (no armour) & then wiggle the kissaki(point) into the shoulder joint - i might try that one ;-)

Mr tew is one of a kind of self styled teacher that attracts people who WANT to belive & theres not much to do about it - perhaps letting him try it is the only way for him to find out

of course the caveat is that he could easily get badly injured working on some of this stuff (and the sword forms are total bollux) which is all show and no substance - that would prevent him ever starting his own school

hed be better off taking acting lessons - or joining the armed forces if REALLy wants to be a total combat warrior.

Sorry if that sounds harsh - all the bullshit on the site just conforms that tew is an egotist (not a martial artist) and tew ryu is just about tew - Phew ! (i couldnt think of anything else that rhymed :)

it really is total rubbish

best of luck

(ps i can sell your son Tower Bridge if he wants that :-)

[L. johnson]

Hi guys, my name is Andrew. My mom has been posting on this website trying to help me out with some stuff.
I just want to say I appreciate your input and value it. I respect what you have to say.
I am currently now a warrior without a path and if you can help me with what I'm looking for I would appreciate it.
I am looking for a serious art with a serious intructor, a lot of hand to hand combat. I also need an art that deal with intense sword technique. I am also interested in tricking if you know what that is but it can come later. I'm not looking for anything fancy, just practical and serious sword technique.
reply to my mom for now. I will become a registered user myself in a day or two (computer at shop, using mom's office for now).
I'm in the Toledo, Ohio area. Do you know of anyone around here (south of Detroit, east of Cleveland) that I can contact?
Have background in karate and have studied three different types of kung fu on my own. IMO I feel like I have learned quite a bit even w/o a teacher, but don't hold me to that. I am looking for guidance.
Thanks for the help.

AJ

[Neil Gendzwill]

Unfortunately the only kendo or iaido I'm aware of is in Cleveland or Dayton. See http://www.kendo-usa.org/statedojolist.htm#OH for details. Perhaps you can contact the Cleveland guys and see if they know of anything, sometimes this info is dated.

[sminki]

Well Andrew, you're in a bit of a tight spot.

There are very few legitimate serious teachers who teach both serious hand-to-hand and serious sword technique. The fact that you're in Ohio as opposed to... say... Japan, does not help your cause either.

If you want to learn both, I would recommend finding a credible ju-jitsu or nin-jitsu schools (don't know of any in Ohio). It might be hard to find legit nin-jitsu schools in the U.S. anyway. It's such an esoteric thing plagued by a lot of fake instructors like Tew these days.

Your other option is learning aikido somewhere. It's certainly easier to find legitimate schools than the above two martial arts. It's more hand-to-hand intensive, but you will learn sword techniques at higher level. If you want to really pursue being a serious martial artist and eventually teach, you'd want to be associated with legitimate schools and teachers with credibility. Choosing a more well-known or wide-spread martial art such as aikido does have advantages in ensuring that you're not dealing with a con artist.

Lots of luck to ya.

P.S. - Just out of curiousity, what is your level in karate and how and how long have you studied the three types of kung-fu? Usually, it's good to attain at least "black belt level" before you pursue other martial arts, as it will increase your general understanding of martial arts greatly. But then again, most people spend lifetimes just trying to master one.

[Nishi]

I would suggest Aikido Andrew, but it may lack the flash your looking for. However, from experience you will find traditional tarining, the use of bokken and jo waza, as well as many hand to hand techniques.

And Ohio has a pretty serious dojo as well.

[aru-ma]

If you were in Japan I'd suggest you try and find a Koryu dojo but since you're in the US, why not do both Aikido and kendo? (providing you have the time).

[Kaoru]

Hi Mrs. Johnson and Andrew,

I just did some research, and then left a post asking for help finding a Japanese Kenjutsu, Iaido or Classical Kendo dojo for you on the Samurai Forum board. When I get a reply, I will post the information for you. I hope to find at least something for you. If not, at least I had the pleasure of trying to help you find something. :) Oh, where is Toledo located in Ohio? Is it north or south? Which major cities is it near? This information will help. Thanks!

Kaoru :)

[freqninja]

I admire you guys sticking to tradition and all but if a technique doesn't work why use it? Simple, you won't. Alot of techniqes in most schools don't work. They are for fun or have some other use like teaching the relation to your opponents's movements. This is why some train in traditional styles and some don't. Some do not find it fufilling to train techniques that do not work. Rick Tew'S art is not just to survive a street fight. It is to improve the individual in areas like fitness, flexability, weapons, hand to hand, agility ect. The thing with alot of tradional arts is that they are not compleat. For instance kendo is a mostly sword art. A good one but still a sword art. What modern systems are doing is taking unrealistic styles and adding elements like ground fighting and boxing. Now you guys seem to disagree with his sword techniques. WHO CARES!? I'm not going to be carrying a sword anyway in a fight. Most sword training is for fun. Not only that but kendo guys specialize in swords. I could make fun of karateka for not being Judo experts when it comes to sweeps but what is the point? Kendo i'm sorry is not the best art for street fighting. Kendo is a traditional art. If you were to drop your swords and spar a redbelt in RTMS you would question your own skills unless you have trained in some art based on training like boxing or BJJ or at least have some sparring experiance. Not everone wants to train in a traditional style. You can argue all day about how great traditional arts are but your opponent in the street will not care about your blood line or your certificate. It will come done to how much training you have done. And i am sorry but if you do not spar full contact (like the students in Tew's school) you are not training in a realistic art. It is not always what style you train in it's how much sparring and experiance have you had. Most of the guys in NHB and the UFC are non traditionalists. The early UFCs showed what happens to those traditional styles like Karate, Kung-fu ect (not the the UFC is all there is to martial arts). My question is how can you go wrong if you actually get on the matt and spar all out. When you get in a fight your instructors style will not matter half as much as your attributes. Sparring is a big part of the training the guys use at RTMS because it builds these attributes. The other thing is that you bash the students on the videos who are just students. Most are beginers. Can you guys think back to how you did on your first lesson? You probably sucked. You were off balance. The sword felt awkward. You got beat. A few of you still have these problems. I'm going to bed. Then I'm going wake up and go spar.

[Neil Gendzwill]

Lessee:
First post from someone we've never heard of - check
Bad spelling/grammar - check
Thinly disguised shill from Tew - check
Troll-o-meter rating - 6.5

[Phorest]

freqninja:

Has it ever occured to you that martial arts are about more than simply fighting? Yes, we kendoka realize that the techniques we are learning have no place in a "street fight". And thats just it...martial arts aren't about street fighting. Heck...nowadays "street fighting" simply involves one person with zero training pulling a trigger before the other. So-called "Gun-do". In that facet I'd say most hand to hand arts are pretty damned unrealistic as well. If someone realy wants to beat the crap out of you and is not carrying some kind of weapon...they are going to run full speed at you, tackle you to the ground...and bash your head against the concrete until you pass out from cranial trauma. I'm willing to bet that 99% of the time in a street fight when this occurs you will forget nearly all of your "full contact training" and simply get hurt by someone who is more angry than yourself. So then your argument might be...well we train in hand to hand and ground arts because we enjoy it, it builds stamina, builds character, etc. Guess what? Kendo is the exact same thing. We realize we won't put our skills to use on the "street"...we simply do it for the joy and tradition of it.


I could make fun of karateka for not being Judo experts when it comes to sweeps but what is the point?
.......


If you were to drop your swords and spar a redbelt in RTMS you would question your own skills unless you have trained in some art based on training like boxing or BJJ or at least have some sparring experiance.

So you're going to make fun of Kendoka for not being hand to hand/ground fighters? I don't get it. You're contradicting yourself there. *dingdong* faulty logic alert! :spchless:

I'm not gonna continue...this is pointless and rather tiresome.

[xvikingx]

Street fighting?!... whos talking about street fighting? In the real world your martial arts fantasy camp training is not going to save you.
"If you were to drop your swords and spar a redbelt in RTMS you would question your own skills unless you have trained in some art based on training like boxing or BJJ or ..." 1st: You must mean shinai. We dont play with swords.
2: Why would we want to fight someone? There is no logic behind your argument
3rd: If really did have to go toe to toe with someone, I wouldnt use a sword,bokken, or shinai. Assult with a deadly weapon is not something I want on my record.

My advice to you Fagninja, is to cut back on the Van Dame movies and rethink your reasons for "training".

[xvikingx]

:ninja: What Ninjutsu wants to be - the Martial Science is your solution for becoming a ninja based on reality or what we call a "Total Warrior" Tired of ninjutsu traditionalists that hide behind scrolls and names? Welcome to the arena where you are the leader and the student is once again the most important aspect of the Martial Arts. :ninja:

hah ha ha ha ha... :laugh: Wow! Real Tew-ryu wisdom! Man this guy is a relic of the 1980's ninja craze. I wish these people could come to shiga-ken and see the real historical ninja places. Even those places are little out there but this is stupid. Reality has truely escaped Rick Tew and his fallowing. Fagninja I pitty you.

[Yowai]

http://www.ninjitsu.com/Video_Gallery/Video_-_Sparring___Grappling/S___P_1/s___p_1.html

http://www.ninjitsu.com/Video_Gallery/Video_-_Sparring___Grappling/S___P_2/s___p_2.html

http://www.ninjitsu.com/Video_Gallery/Video_-_Sparring___Grappling/S___P_2/s___p_3.html

http://www.ninjitsu.com/Video_Gallery/Video_-_Sparring___Grappling/S___P_2/s___p_4.html

http://www.ninjitsu.com/Video_Gallery/Video_-_Sparring___Grappling/S___P_6/s___p_6.html

These kids show absolutely no technique. The students have showed their backs to their opponents in many instances, and in some instances, one student would be running away back turned from the opponent to get away from trouble. The "coach" is giving useless advice, (stay away from walls? Why bother when both students show no footwork control whatsoever) and makes the students do pushups in the middle of a sparring match as a penalty. (???) "Strategy, strategy," he says, when both students aren't even throwing punches properly. What are the little twirls that the students perform? One student was not wearing head protection. A misplaced elbow can be fatal when these students are twirling randomly. One kicking technique seems to involve hopping on one leg, flailing the other, and advancing towards your opponent.

These sparring videos are very worrying. Anassociation that videotapes and posts videos showing complete negligence will be avoided by any sane person with even a trickle of intelligence.

[aru-ma]

Hey! didn't anyone read the notice? it says "please do not feed the trolls, they might come back"

We're just promoting legitimate budo while making sure potential martial artists don't fall to the dark side as so many others have :tongue:

My view is why bother studying martial art if your purpose is for street fighting? Besides If I want to go for a street fight I'll go with "crowbar-do" or just copy my technique "haya-ashi-jutsu" in other words run :silly:

[LNGUYEN]

Fagninja, how long have you been with martial art world? have you been involved in any street fights? I just question about you analysis about useless technique in the street fights. Martial art have been developed and polish for thousand years to be deadly effective and you said they are useless for you and only Rich's technique work. I was involved in some street fights before when I was young :p and I told you my Judo and some TKD help alot. they help me to have better reflects, better judgment, and better self control. I am not going out there to find trouble, only when it is neccessary to defend myself and my family.

[AlexM]

This is funny.

Go to www.e-budo.com : Their idea of good budo is usefulness in a street fight. Don't touch kendo. You'll hate it. It's totally useless except for personal development and a little mild conditionning.

Even at e-budo you'll find many members that will tell you that there is much randomness to a street fight and no amount of training will help you if the opponent is:

a) 100 pounds heavier than you
b) helped out by some of his buddies
c) armed with a 3 inch blade or more

What a fun little troll you're going to be! Now go play with the other ninja and leave the adults alone.. ok?

[Ben F.]

Hi guys, my name is Andrew. My mom has been posting on this website trying to help me out with some stuff.
I just want to say I appreciate your input and value it. I respect what you have to say.
I am currently now a warrior without a path and if you can help me with what I'm looking for I would appreciate it.
I am looking for a serious art with a serious intructor, a lot of hand to hand combat. I also need an art that deal with intense sword technique. I am also interested in tricking if you know what that is but it can come later. I'm not looking for anything fancy, just practical and serious sword technique.
reply to my mom for now. I will become a registered user myself in a day or two (computer at shop, using mom's office for now).
I'm in the Toledo, Ohio area. Do you know of anyone around here (south of Detroit, east of Cleveland) that I can contact?
Have background in karate and have studied three different types of kung fu on my own. IMO I feel like I have learned quite a bit even w/o a teacher, but don't hold me to that. I am looking for guidance.
Thanks for the help.
AJ


Andrew:

I agree with the rest of the KWF forum in that aikido might be an appropriate course of study for you. I belong to a group called AYANA (Aikido Yoshokai Assoc. of North America). Our head instructor is Takashi Kushida Sensei, an eighth degree black belt, who trained directly under Gozo Shioda Sensei, the founder of the Yoshinkan style. The training is very traditional and very intense. You will get plenty of weapons work (bokken, jo, and tanto) along with good hand technique. In addition to the physical training, we also focus on the budo philosophy. I have been studying for 8 years now and have loved every minute. We do have a branch dojo in the Toledo area and one at Ohio State. Here is their information:

Columbus
Aikido Yoshokai at Ohio State
Larkins Hall
337 W. 17th Ave.
Columbus, OH 43210

Toledo
Shoshinkan
St. James Wellness Center
7332 W. Bancroft St.
Toledo, OH 43615
(419) 841-5597

Here is a link to our headquarters dojo in Ann Arbor, MI: http://www.aikidoyoshokai.org/

I strongly urge you to check it out. The people of AYANA are all very nice and will be glad to have you watch a class and answer any and all questions you might have. Good luck and feel free to private message me if you need further information on our style of aikido.

[L. johnson]

hey its andrew. freqninja is a frend of mine and he is entitled to his opinion. He is the one I was planning on going to CMS with. I told him about this site hoping you guys could have a serious discussion. You guys showed me a lot of respect and helped me out. I hope you will rephrase some of the stuff you were saying and have a serious discussion w/o just flaming him.
As MA's some of the stuff said I think was a little inappropriate. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't dissing you guys, I mean these comments with the utmost of respect.

Please try to have serious discussion with him w/o getting too harsh or critical or judging him. He does study MA's other than CMS, so he is not just a shill or a troll.

[Charlie]

Ben F. has caught the correct.

[LNGUYEN]

Hi Andrews and Fagninja
Please first you said your guys have experience in martial arts, why don't you tell us what type of experience, how many years have you trained to see are you qualify for an open discussion. Because right now, if you believe that attending Ric Tew school for few months and you can become master, then nobody want to discuss any thing with you. Just like children they believe in turtle ninjas, I didn't tell my children they are not real because they are too young to know that. When I watch kungfu movies, I can move just like them. However, the moves are not everything. Martial artist are trained in spirit, movement, endurance, self control, reflection, and techniques. However, they are realistic, not ninja bs Hollywood types. Some times you can see some thing look the same, move the same, quack the same, but they are not the same.

[Nishi]

Hi Andrew, freqninja is entitled to his opinion, your right, so are all of us....but it dosnt mean these opinions are the best options. I have trained in several martial arts and still dabble in a few things for intrest. I have studied BJJ, Aikido, Hapkido, anything i found interesting in Kung-fu, and even a couple of weeks tai-jutsu, i currently box (when time permits)...ive played with Bo, jo, tanto, nunchuku, escrima, and of course bokken and shinai. This all started at the age of 11, and by my early 20's i realised that street fighting was against the law, assult was against the law, and as mentioned above, so was assult with a deadly weapon. Violence is for those who do not understand peace, and cannot create options when under pressure (lesson revealed thru kendo).

I was lucky and found an Aikido instructor that started to challenge my (tiny) mind. The truth is, modern martial arts are for those who have decided they do not want to fight. If you want true combat in its purest most applicable form possible today with all its weapons, join the United States Marines. If you want to discover yourself and the world around you, look up your local budo dojo...( i can vouch for Kendo and Aikido personally)....dont sell yourself short though.

Good luck!

[Neil Gendzwill]

Please try to have serious discussion with him w/o getting too harsh or critical or judging him.
Okay, here goes:


if a technique doesn't work why use it?
In the case of kendo, we don't use techniques that don't work. We use techniques that are well-proven in competition, and kendo competition is at a level of skill and seriousness unsurpassed in martial arts.

Rick Tew'S art is not just to survive a street fight. It is to improve the individual in areas like fitness, flexability, weapons, hand to hand, agility ect.
This is in direct conflict with your earlier statement. According to you, Mr. Tew uses techniques that don't work to improve fitness, agility etc. This is all fine by us so long as he's honest about what he's teaching: not martial arts, but stage-fighting, showmanship. The Chinese have been training and competing in this type of thing for a long time, they call it "wushu". You see wushu people all the time in movies, it makes for great-looking stunt scenes. It's only superficially related to martial arts.

Many people with a lot of experience have looked at Mr. Tew's website and concluded that he looks to be a gifted athlete but an unskilled martial artist. See this thread (http://www.e-budo.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16975)

Now you guys seem to disagree with his sword techniques. WHO CARES!?[snip]Most sword training is for fun.
We care, quite strongly. He presents videotapes of sword techniques on his site, not "for fun" but as a way of aquiring students who will be impressed by the flashy technique. We're unimpressed.

Kendo i'm sorry is not the best art for street fighting. Kendo is a traditional art.
True and true. Most of us here don't care about street fighting. I haven't had a fight since I was 14. However if what you are looking for is combat effectiveness, Tew is not it, either. I suggest joining your local military reserve.

The other thing is that you bash the students on the videos who are just students.
Nope, we're looking right at Mr. Tew his own self.

[Hongsermeier]

I have been watching this thread and can no longer contain myself.

Freqninja and Andrew, you both talk of street fighting. Have either one of you been in a street fight? They are not fun. Martial arts go right out the window. When someone grabs you by the shoulder and spins you around unexpectedly and sucker punches you, there is no defense. If your playing pool and someone decideds to break their pool que over your back while your lining up the next shot, there is no defense. Most Martial arts were originally formed by Buddhist monks as a form of defense, not offense. Most Martial arts are based as a way to avoid a fight. The last time I saw a real street fight, both people had studied Martial arts. Neither one used it. One guy grabed a beer mug off a table. The other guy grabed a pool que. They both ended up in jail. Take some honest advice from someone twice your age, street fighting is for morons with no self control and probably very little future. :cross_eye

[Hingus]

Andrew, you need to ask yourself what you are looking for in martial arts. You are in America, if you want to train CMS, go ahead, you have every right to do so, but do yourself a favor and ask yourself what you wish to accomplish. If self defense is your answer, the United States Constitution guarantees you the right to keep and bear arms. The martial arts are completely different.

I am new to Kendo, but have been involved with Okinawan Karate for well over 20 years. The longer I study the martial arts, the less I believe they are about fighting and/or combat. Sure, there is that aspect, but they are more of a journey within yourself.

I do not know Rick Tew, I will probably never meet the man, I don't particularly care for his style of martial arts, and he probably wouldn't care for mine. Who cares? I am happy with my journey.

[Yowai]

The other thing is that you bash the students on the videos who are just students

The students reflect the teacher. Who videotapes complete beginners acting very irresponsibly as a video promotion?

[freqninja]

I did not post to start a flame war. Show some maturity and respect to me and my friend Andrew. I will train in whatever art I feel like weather for fun self-defense or even to show off to friends. If you have a disagreement with my OPINIANS then respond like an adult and please do not resort to flaming or child like name calling.

[LNGUYEN]

I did not post to start a flame war. Show some maturity and respect to me and my friend Andrew. I will train in whatever art I feel like weather for fun self-defense or even to show off to friends. If you have a disagreement with my OPINIANS then respond like an adult and please do not resort to flaming or child like name calling.


Amen, I am done.

[ben]

This is funny.

Go to www.e-budo.com : Their idea of good budo is usefulness in a street fight.

A bit of a generalisation when many regular posters are either published authors on MA, or hold PhDs and Professorships in MA or Asian Studies. Sure it's got its fair share of fruit loops and ninjas, but hey, it's a pretty huge community.

You want feral? Try rec.martial-arts.

b

[aru-ma]

Here's some website that offers combat effective fighting tecniques, they also have a fitness program and weapons technique too.

link 1 (http://www.army.mil/)

link 2 (http://www.usmc.mil/)
or
Link 3 (http://www.marines.com)

and did I mentioned that you'll get paid for it too?

[sminki]

I did not post to start a flame war. Show some maturity and respect to me and my friend Andrew. I will train in whatever art I feel like weather for fun self-defense or even to show off to friends. If you have a disagreement with my OPINIANS then respond like an adult and please do not resort to flaming or child like name calling.

You certainly have a right to learn whatever (whether it's pure gold or pure crap) you desire to learn. Good luck and remember to stay in school!

[Yowai]

I did not post to start a flame war. Show some maturity and respect to me and my friend Andrew. I will train in whatever art I feel like weather for fun self-defense or even to show off to friends. If you have a disagreement with my OPINIANS then respond like an adult and please do not resort to flaming or child like name calling.


You are certainly entitled to type OPINIANS. Good luck and maybe the next time you visit, you won't have to remind people to treat you as an adult.


Here's some website that offers combat effective fighting tecniques, they also have a fitness program and weapons technique too.
Only murderers and sadists may apply.

[KATSUJIN]

well well...this topic is catching fire....

freqninja....i have to agree with u on one thing....u and andrew are entitled to ur own opinions...tats true....but i also have to agree with the rest on the objective of ur wanting to learn martial arts.....personally...this is just a opinion, u dont have to take it seriously...rick tew's 'martial science' will never help in real life....the dynamics of the cuts he present wont work in real life....except for wild swinging....

[swrdply400mrela]

I did not post to start a flame war. Show some maturity and respect to me and my friend Andrew. I will train in whatever art I feel like weather for fun self-defense or even to show off to friends. If you have a disagreement with my OPINIANS then respond like an adult and please do not resort to flaming or child like name calling.

Freqninja, I think you're focusing too much on defending yourself. These people are trying to help you if you look closely. At first you said you wanted to learn about street fighting. People with experience in street fighting are trying to tell you that the martial arts were not designed for today's environment. And even if they could help you, Rick Tew won't be able to help you in that field. Martial arts are a defensive strategy with physical force as the last resort.

If you want to pursue martial arts to perform or show off for your friends, that is your choice. But don't think that would help you in a street fight. I think your ego is playing a huge part of your decision making, which could be a regrettable choice. Relatively speaking, you are quite young, so you're prone to make mistakes. Please take advice from people who have been down that past.

Mike

PS - If you're looking at MA's for performance, you may also want to look into gymnastics. If you're looking at MA's as an intimidation factor, starting heading to the gym 4 days a week.

[Nishi]

I did not post to start a flame war. Show some maturity and respect to me and my friend Andrew. I will train in whatever art I feel like weather for fun self-defense or even to show off to friends. If you have a disagreement with my OPINIANS then respond like an adult and please do not resort to flaming or child like name calling.

I work as a rehabilitation coach for those unfortunate people who have suffered an aquired brain injury or traumatic head injury, some by accident, some by mis-adventure, some by violence....the violent cases are the worst, now these people have slurred speech, impared vision and hearing, full loss of co-ordination, disexecutive syndrome, loss of social skills and even incontinence, because some one attacked them, i see the reality of street fighting on a daily basis...this is what you want to learn?

I can avoid violence for the rest of my life by the chioce of freinds i keep, the places i visit, and the way i treat the people around me, i pray you never have your head kicked-in, or have to smash someone elses skull through aggression or self defence... if excitement and movies get the best of you, you will miss all the wonderful things budo has to offer, true budo is not about learning to kill its about learning to live.

I really hope you make a good choice,
good luck.

[L. johnson]

Once again I would like to thank you all for your wisdom in this matter. First off, I completely agree w/ your views on budo. I gained this from reading Bushido . I agree w/ all of the philosophies about MA being a journey of self. I also believed you should be prepared for a street fight. Unfortunately, there is no real way to prepare for that because they are always different, in different settings, different circumstances, and you never know what weapons they may or may not have. All we can do is keep training for a day we hope will never come. And we can only hope whatever training we have will at least keep us alive.
I also think everyone needs to find their own way. It should all work out in the end and I hope it will.
See you later, Andrew
(I will soon have my own name for people to send me stuff)

[Atama]

Freqninja
I you wish to break from tradition so much then why in gods name train with a guy who is hiding under the guise of japanese origins. If you want to find the most effective combat style you do need to look into different martial arts but this Tew guy is just hilariously funny. Seriously the most effective method at the moment are coming from a mixture of thai boxing, standard boxing, with brazilian ju-jitsu or Lancashire catch wrestling (or some other grappling style).

[Nishi]

Once again I would like to thank you all for your wisdom in this matter. First off, I completely agree w/ your views on budo. I gained this from reading Bushido . I agree w/ all of the philosophies about MA being a journey of self. I also believed you should be prepared for a street fight. Unfortunately, there is no real way to prepare for that because they are always different, in different settings, different circumstances, and you never know what weapons they may or may not have. All we can do is keep training for a day we hope will never come. And we can only hope whatever training we have will at least keep us alive.
I also think everyone needs to find their own way. It should all work out in the end and I hope it will.
See you later, Andrew
(I will soon have my own name for people to send me stuff)

Andrew i would sooner use my wit to escape a threatening situation, than learn techniques to batter and break another human being, and as i mentioned earlier, you can avoid violence with your head, you are also protected by the law. Ive been aware of Mr Tew for a while, and i wont pass judgement, but i will tell you, "you have so many better options", with this particular club (Tews), i dont think you will ever even see the spirit of budo....

If you ablsolutley feel you need combative training (mabye you live in a very dangerous area, however i'm sure you are in the suberbs) try something sensible, not magical.

The techniques i was shown in Taijutsu(ninpo unamred combat) where perminant, particularily the muscle tearing stuff...realistic? Where the hell am i going to use this stuff? Brazilian Juijutsu was awsome, i choked my freinds and submitted my sisters for a couple of years, never had a chance to actually use it on the street though (thank god). I still box with fitness in mind, but i see what one bad punch to the head does, im not interested in a criminal record. You could go on and on...

Mabye kendo is what you need, why? It takes 100% of you mental and physical strength, its steeped in tradition as well as having the benifit of being a modern sport/budo (this is why its so unique). It will challenge you in ways you cant even fathom(sp?)...practical, i think someone else on the thread said it, there is no other budo that is as dynamic, fast, and furious as kendo today, you have to be practical, or you'll suck...when will you use it? 3-4 times a week or whenever you can train.

Finally a confession, i was alot like you when i was growing up (not meant to be offensive), but what your looking for i can tell you dosnt exist, there is no glory in budo, the training is difficult, true budo dosnt aim to look flashy, budo dosnt try to destroy but build, when i finally found a sensei to set me on the right path, i felt like an idiot for wasting so many valuable training years of my youth being a dreamer.

Go to your local Aikido or Kendo club for a couple of months before you do anything else....you'll thank yourself for it later.

[Winter_Wolf]

Hello,
I agree w/ Nishi, go to your local club/school/dojo and try it out before you make a decision, it helped me to decide upon kendo over training in karate or judo, not because of the effectiveness, but because I saw how much fun everyone was having! Keep that as your primary focus, because no matter how powerful the art, if you can't enjoy it, you won't stay w/ it!
Thanks,
W.W.

[etherknot]

My view is why bother studying martial art if your purpose is for street fighting? Besides If I want to go for a street fight I'll go with "crowbar-do" or just copy my technique "haya-ashi-jutsu" in other words run :silly:

hahaha! I love it and totally agree with this. Hmmm haya-ashi-jutsu indeed. I think I'm some nth degree belt in that (or would it be more apros pos for running shoes?).

[L. johnson]

Nishi I to agree w/ what you have to say but i think you misundrstud what i sed. I ment that m/as givs you menttall clairaty so you can handull a problum without geting mad like somone else you might meet on the street combat is a last dich butt it is a risk I rather get that clairaty and never have to fight then not have it and fight all the time just fighting is not the anser to anything. I have alot to leen still sens i'v start'ed cuming heir iv start'ed thinking about what m/as is and what it meens. so dont tell me i cant understand bodo im working on it Y dont you help me to understand it better.

andrew

[xvikingx]

so dont tell me i cant understand bodo im working on it Y dont you help me to understand it better.

andrew

Andrew,
the reason Nishi (and everyone else who had constuctive commentary) took the time to write that lengthy reply was to help you understand. No body here is trying to tell you what you can and cannot do. Thats up to you.

[Nishi]

Nishi I to agree w/ what you have to say but i think you misundrstud what i sed. I ment that m/as givs you menttall clairaty so you can handull a problum without geting mad like somone else you might meet on the street combat is a last dich butt it is a risk I rather get that clairaty and never have to fight then not have it and fight all the time just fighting is not the anser to anything.

So is the search for clarity? Budo is a good path for this, but you will need a good sensei, again kendo and aikido would be great for this (i always suggest these because i have first hand knowledge, there may be others just as good, as im sure there are)...Andrew martial arts take decades to develop within a person, and by the time you have developed any real (safe) technique, you will be much older, and you'll have different objectives


(short story)
My sensei (aikido) once told me that what i was learning in hapkido was great martial skill (he had seen me on T.V. giving a demo with demo team members), we practiced a flashy hard style, lots of speed, high kicks massive throws and dramatic breakfalls...He told me that my body will weaken and most off my life would be spent in middle age or old age..."can you do these techniques at those stages in your life?" he asked, "to understand budo, you must use techniques you can do as a youth and as an old man, an old man who learns new techniques (waza)is as weak as a young man who learns old waza, practice the basics your entire life and you'll see what i mean" he said. I couldnt continue with hapkido, and the fantasy world i had placed around martial arts started to crumble....i new i was on the right path, for the first time, i could feel it.



I have alot to leen still sens i'v start'ed cuming heir iv start'ed thinking about what m/as is and what it meens. so dont tell me i cant understand bodo im working on it Y dont you help me to understand it better.
andrew

If ive worded anything so that its come across offensive, i apoligize, its not meant to come across that way...And yes you are trying to understand budo (we all are) good for you.

I hope you do still look into your local dojo's before you make any real commitments though. I get everything i need from kendo, and i may look at iaido when my basics become more consistent, have a look at kendo, its awsome!!

[Neil Gendzwill]

can you do these techniques at those stages in your life?
Getting my head handed to me by a 76 year old when I was 30 was a life-changing experience. Kendo is something you can do and grow with your whole life.

[freqninja]

I do not speak exactly speak for my friend on this one but I am not looking to follow an ancient tradition. I'm sorry if it seems I have missed the boat when it comes to the spirit of martial arts. Maybe I have. I am not looking for a purely combat style. I can develop basic combat skills and spend all day training for nothing but a a streetfight but that is not what I need. It would be limiting also to my overall abillity. If I did I would go with JKD, MMA, PFS, Krav Maga ect. The thing is I want a balance between art and combat. If you would like to know what Rick Tew says about tradition read http://www.totalwarrior.com/Rick_Tew_s_Ninjitsu/Total_Warrior_Magazine/Tradition_its_History/tradition_its_history.html

http://www.totalwarrior.com/Rick_Tew_s_Ninjitsu/Total_Warrior_Magazine/Find_a_Way/find_a_way.html

To see that RTMS students train in realistic self-defense read this artical on combat reality
http://www.totalwarrior.com/Rick_Tew_s_Ninjitsu/Combat_Reality/combat_reality.html

Please read and consider these articals if you want to figure out why many martial artists are turning to modern styles as opposed to traditional.

Mr.Tew tries to break away from the ninjutsu tradition to the point of actually changing the name of the system from "tew ryu martial science" to "rick tews martial science" which sounds less like a traditional system. However their style has it's roots in ninjutsu and resembles ninjutsu so that is what they call it. To avoid the ninja stereo typing he prefers the term "Martial Science." He is also not hiding behind a lineage, bloodline,or tradition. So many ninjutsu practioners brag about how authentic there style is or who they have trained with. Tew is concerned with what you can do, not who you have been taught by. You notice on his site he does not have a huge banner stating what tradition he is from or who he trained with. He does not feel that is as important as what he can do.

These are some of the reasons I like this paticular style.
I am training to develop attributes more that I am technique. The drills in this style focus on developing reactions and body movement. I am an athlete and I beleive that part of MA should be PT (most traditional ninjutsu schools exclude athleticism al together yet still brag at how in shape the ninja were). I like the acrobatics and high kicks and sword training because they develop the individual as a whole. They spar all out. This is important to me because alot of traditional halls do not spar at all! They are masters of avoiding injury and going to the ground. They practice their rolls and falls non-stop during their training. They teach grappling, striking, kicks, throws, weapons, stealth, acrobatics, and I feel this would develop my overall abillity more than a traditional school or a pure combat/MMA style. They also let you develop at yuor own pace. I have friends from traditional schools that were way ahead of the other advanced students but were held down to only yellow belt techniques. I want you to know that I believe there is more to the arts than combat like acrobatics, weapons, meditation, mental skill, flexabillity, blance, endurance, strategy, response abillity, respect, chi, breaking, forms, sparring, and I could go on forever. You should train mind, body and spirit equally.

You know how I do.

[mingshi]

Mr.Tew tries to break away from the ninjutsu tradition to the point of actually changing the name of the system from "tew ryu martial science" to "rick tews martial science" which sounds less like a traditional system. Blah blah...

In any case TEW RYU was already a joke running around here at KWF since earlier this year. There is no way we can stop laughing when we mention the term TEW RYU!!! So American Japanese!



They spar all out. This is important to me because alot of traditional halls do not spar at all! They are masters of avoiding injury and going to the ground. Blah blah blah.
Erhm... Do you actually know what we are talking about when we say KENDO? In addition to that... I like the way you guys pronounce SHEE-NAI... and I also like the way you move your limbs behind your back when someone hit you!!

p.s. We are actually more experienced with the sword stuff so we are mainly talking about this one in particular :D
http://www.totalwarrior.com/Video_Gallery/Video_-_Weapons/Sword_Videos/Sword_Sparring/sword_sparring.html

p.p.s. This thread is entertaining. Obviously I am bored...

[jmarsten]

In any case TEW RYU was already a joke running around here at KWF since earlier this year. There is no way we can stop laughing when we mention the term TEW RYU!!! So American Japanese!


Erhm... Do you actually know what we are talking about when we say KENDO? In addition to that... I like the way you guys pronounce SHEE-NAI... and I also like the way you move your limbs behind your back when someone hit you!!

p.s. We are actually more experienced with the sword stuff so we are mainly talking about this one in particular :D
http://www.totalwarrior.com/Video_Gallery/Video_-_Weapons/Sword_Videos/Sword_Sparring/sword_sparring.html

p.p.s. This thread is entertaining. Obviously I am bored...
Right On Jenny, like I said earlier when I was making fun of the whole ninja thing,(I should some day tell the story of the 2D ninja that joined my dojo) (do ninja have dan?) Any way if you are so worried about getting mugged in the street and you really want to put some fuzz on your @@@@ join the military and get into a real ninja course.

[SirFingerLickin]

Please read and consider these articals if you want to figure out why many martial artists are turning to modern styles as opposed to traditional.

When you show me a martial art that negates the effectiveness of a gun, I'll join in on his lil pyramid scheme.


Mr.Tew tries to break away from the ninjutsu tradition to the point of actually changing the name of the system from "tew ryu martial science" to "rick tews martial science" which sounds less like a traditional system. However their style has it's roots in ninjutsu and resembles ninjutsu so that is what they call it. To avoid the ninja stereo typing he prefers the term "Martial Science." He is also not hiding behind a lineage, bloodline,or tradition.

Yeah, instead he's hiding behind his 3-18 month programs promising fast promotion and his costume and weapon packages. He'll dress you up, make you look tough, even make you feel tough by giving you the proverbial red belt. Dont worry, I looked at the web site a lil bit and saw how you've abandoned belts, but still refer to them in terms of belts.


So many ninjutsu practioners brag about how authentic there style is or who they have trained with.

Yeah, instead he brags about the 'martial art' he made up off the top of his head with great reference to American Ninja movies.


These are some of the reasons I like this paticular style.
I am training to develop attributes more that I am technique.

Well then why not just go to a gym? If your stressing physical attributes rather than technique, that just goes to show how very little this 'art' has to do with, IMO, true martial arts. Its better than giving yourself the delusion of training in a real MA.


The drills in this style focus on developing reactions and body movement.

The same can be said for almost any martial art. Kendo does this amazingly well. At some point, I've actually stopped thinking about what I am doing, and am for the most part just reacting naturally with my shinai.


I like the acrobatics and high kicks and sword training because they develop the individual as a whole.

Imagine just how much that same invidividual will develop when taught with form and function in mind rather than looking good. When you speak of sword training, this in particular strikes a vein in each of us because we are practitioners of a sword art which we all hold very dear to us. When we see someone butcher something we hold so close to our hearts, it brings within us the need to defend our art when it is being perverted(figuratively, not literally that is) by others.


You should train mind, body and spirit equally.

We do. I'm not so sure you are. Sounds to me like your training your body more than your mind and spirit.

[xvikingx]

"OPINIANS"? Definitely not training the mind that much.

[L. johnson]

.thank you nishi you'er a good guy you to dog face boy ill look into an aikido doijo

[Neil Gendzwill]

freqninja, you've obviously made your mind up. But to be fair you're also in the wrong place - nobody here is interested in the same sort of stuff you are. If you want opinions from people whose training goals are closer to yours, may I suggest inquiring over at www.e-budo.com or on the usenet group rec.martial-arts (accessible through google groups if you don't have a newsfeed).

[swrdply400mrela]

Freqninja: I think you have missed the point again. We're more against Rick Tew himself because we do not believe he is teaching any martial art. Take the sword sparring video for example; it is a complete joke compared to Kendo/Kumdo. Have you seen Kendo/Kumdo in action? I suggest you find a local dojo/dojang, enroll for a few months, and then you will understand why we don't think too highly of him. It's not that because we're studying a tradional martial art, and we're against his "modern" style martial art. Well we are against his sword technique, but not because it's "modern", but because frankly, it wouldn't work. Enroll in Kendo for a good 6 months, you'll see what I mean.

[Nishi]

If you would like to know what Rick Tew says about tradition read .....

Ive read it a few times now, but cant see the sense...when he refers to brazilian juijutsu as a great example of modern martial arts, he fails to mention the ties Helio Gracie had with japanese juijutsu....was Mr.Tew exposed to Japanese Ninjutsu like Mr Gracie was to Japanese Juijutsu...and Gracie juijutsu has lineage, bloodline, tradition both japanese and brazilian....there is no comparison here...especially after seeing the grappling videos...


Please read and consider these articals if you want to figure out why many martial artists are turning to modern styles as opposed to traditional.

Please visit a dojo and consider why many more martial artists are continuing to train in a traditional enviroment. Long after Mr Tew has passed, and if his legacy manages to continue, what do suppose it will become? At some point, they where all modern, yet the ones that still exist today have 1000 years refinment behind them.


Mr.Tew tries to break away from the ninjutsu tradition to the point of actually changing the name of the system from "tew ryu martial science" to "rick tews martial science" which sounds less like a traditional system. However their style has it's roots in ninjutsu and resembles ninjutsu so that is what they call it. To avoid the ninja stereo typing he prefers the term "Martial Science." He is also not hiding behind a lineage, bloodline, or tradition.

This is probably because he was uneligable. It is not uncommon for a student to become discouraged by the demands and years of training required to develop technique, and if your so inclined "respect" at the sensei level....what i see here looks like yet another person looking for the short cut to glory.


I want you to know that I believe there is more to the arts than combat like acrobatics, weapons, meditation, mental skill, flexabillity, blance, endurance, strategy, response abillity, respect, chi, breaking, forms, sparring, and I could go on forever. You should train mind, body and spirit equally.

You forgot honesty, when you are humble enough and accept the fact that 3-18 months of this programme will not bring you any closer to being a martial artist or scientist...you will be one step closer to being honest with yourself.

Finally i apoligize for ranting, Mr Gendzwill's post really should have been the last one on this thread....but he's right, e-budo is a better discussion group for this topic, you may even find people that have been to Mr Tews place.

"KI" in japanese, chi is the chinese pronunciation.

Good luck in the future.

[PhilMcLaughlin]

I always liked this article from Furyu journal

http://www.furyu.com/archives/issue8/zanshin8.html

Id suggest read it and think about it then make your own minds up

One thing id say to any beginner (& i mean leass that 2 years training in x where you can substitute x for what you like) - is how on earth are you qualified to judge what you have yet to learn ?

Even when youre experienced, you are only expereinced to point Y and there will be a whole lot more to your study that you will learn about

so, OK - you guys have dabbled for what 3, to 5 years in a variety of forms - fair enough

BUT - are you really qualifiued to judge Mr Tew and his accolytes ? I use the word carefully because Tew sounds like a cult leader to me and that would be disturbing

My first teacher, who was absolutely sincere and well meaning - came to believe he was the second messiah - I left the dojo (as does everyone else who studies with him eventually.

I would suggest that the tradition transcends the individual - thats why people study Kendo or Aikido rather than Ecky Thump (which would be the Uk equivalent of tew ryu but with more style).

as other have pointed out - what happens when you mr tew dies ? - where do his students go ?

freqninja is showing some degree of paranoia about having his fave teacher dissed - that in itself is the worrying bit

Andrew seems a bit more level headed

My opinion is that you ought to try it out if you want to BUT be bloody careful about what you are letting yourselves in for - Nishi is absolutely right (and hes a good kendoka too).

good luck to you both

cheers

[Hongsermeier]

frequninja....you speak highly of "all out sparring". From your comments I gather you have never been to a kendo dojo. We wear armor(spelling?) in kendo to allow us to do all out sparring. On occasion I have seen people nearly knocked out and MANY bruises/bumps from missed shots. I have even been the unfortunate one to end up on the floor needing assistance to stand up again. I suggest you at least go to a kendo dojo and see what all out sparring is before assuming only Mr. Tews school does it. :cross_eye

[L. johnson]

Andrew seems a bit more level headed>>

This is his mom again. I will humbly accept that as a compliment. He has been raised to stand up for himself and expect respect from all age groups. He does like a good philosophical discussion. More than anything, it is just his personality.

As an update, just wanted you all to know how much I appreciated your comments. Andrew and his friend, freqninja, have decided to try some of the local schools. They will use different schools and then compare notes to find the one that best meets their needs.
Andrew last night visited a bujinkan. He talked w/ the instructor and sat in on a class. Seemed pleased with what he saw. Still focusing a bit on the street fight part. Don't know where he got that idea. You are right - we live in the burbs/farm country. Pretty low crime rate, and for the boys, homeschooling has meant little exposure to school crime.

Although I can't speak for his friend, I want you to know that neither set of parents was too fond of what Tew was selling.

Thank you again for helping Andrew

[Ben F.]

Andrew seems a bit more level headed>>

This is his mom again. I will humbly accept that as a compliment. He has been raised to stand up for himself and expect respect from all age groups. He does like a good philosophical discussion. More than anything, it is just his personality.

As an update, just wanted you all to know how much I appreciated your comments. Andrew and his friend, freqninja, have decided to try some of the local schools. They will use different schools and then compare notes to find the one that best meets their needs.
Andrew last night visited a bujinkan. He talked w/ the instructor and sat in on a class. Seemed pleased with what he saw. Still focusing a bit on the street fight part. Don't know where he got that idea. You are right - we live in the burbs/farm country. Pretty low crime rate, and for the boys, homeschooling has meant little exposure to school crime.

Although I can't speak for his friend, I want you to know that neither set of parents was too fond of what Tew was selling.

Thank you again for helping Andrew



Ms Johnson,

I am glad to see that you are taking such an active role in your son's decision. Some parents would be strictly hands off with this type of thing but considering the charlatans that are out there, it is nice to see a parent that is willing to take the time and energy to do the needed research to make sure they and their kids are not being taken.

If you look back through this thread, you will see another post from myself regarding an aikido school in the Toledo area. May I once again respectfully suggest you check it out. I have been a part of this organization for 8 years and my head instructor for 25+. I think it is something both Andrew and his friend could benefit greatly from.

Good luck!

[L. johnson]

If you look back through this thread, you will see another post from myself regarding an aikido school in the Toledo area.>>

I did see that and it was of interest to Andrew. It is actually very close to us. Ann Arbor is also only about 45 min. and his uncle lives up there. I am encouraging the boy to try many schools. He will soon have his driver's license and be more mobile. Yep, almost 18 and we made his do 50 hours of driving w/parents before he got his own license.
Thank you again.

[Nishi]

I would second the motion for Aikido (changed my life), I trained in both Honbu and Shin Shin Toitsu, and only left due to coming to Britian and having no immidiate access to further tuition- enter kendo! But I think all Aikido is excellent, it is an amazing form of budo and Ben F. obviously has a great amount of positive experience with Aikido in that area...definatley worth a look!

I have heard of the Bujinkan a few years ago, pretty interesting stuff! Still ninjutsu, but a whole lot more reputable than the former prospected dojos. Recently there has been an international expansion of Bujinkan dojos, ...i'd love to hear how it went Andrew, mabye you could e-mail me with your experiences in the different dojo's your visiting?

Phil put up a good post, and this article he included is worth a read, i enjoyed it, although the integrity of Mr McLaughlin's post went down the tubes when he lied claiming i was good at kendo :cheeky:
http://www.furyu.com/archives/issue8/zanshin8.html

[PhilMcLaughlin]

although the integrity of Mr McLaughlin's post went down the tubes when he lied claiming i was good at kendo :cheeky:
http://www.furyu.com/archives/issue8/zanshin8.html

Dave - I said you were a good kendoka - i.e. person wot does kendo

I didnt say ANYTHING about the quality of your kendo ;-)



Andrews Mum

This policy of trying out different dojos and disciplines is exactly the right thing to do. When he finds the right one it will be fairly clear (but not you know who :-)

cheers

[BewareOfCMS]

[FONT=Times New Roman] Do not have your son join CMS; it is nothing but a scam. Rick Tew's website is misleading. CMS is nothing as Rick Tew depicts on his website. CMS is a tightly knit organization for scamming young people like myself. I don't want future people to have to go through what I went through. Email me at BewareOfCMS@hotmail.com for the inside information that only a past student like myself can provide.

[LNGUYEN]

BewareofCMS

Can you please spell out your experience with CMS so everyone know what to be awared of.

Many thanks

[BewareOfCMS]

Hello,

I am a practicioner of Ninjutsu. I also enjoy learning a little Kung-Fu, Kenjutsu, Combat Sambo, Dim-mak, Aikido, and Krav Maga.

I am a former student of Rick Tew and I have one thing to say:

CMS is nothing but a scam for young people's money like myself. Rick Tew is manipulative, cunning, and slippery as an eel. Watch out for him.

His program is designed to run people through for a phase and ONLY a phase. He then during the phase exploits their weaknesses, breaks them down, and discourages them with his subtle mind games. They do not come back the next phase. He then has more people sign up the next phase and he does the same thing over and over and over again with them as he did with the previous phase. Makes a load of money doing it!

I got scammed. I am disappointed. I don't want future ambitious young people like myself to get scammed too.

I will never give up the martial arts though. I won't let Rick Tew discourage me.

A Friend