“Those who desire only techniques will never understand this art. It is everything beyond that.”

-- Soke Masaaki Hatsumi

Welcome to this week’s edition of Three-Tip Thursday, where I share quick, high-impact takeaways from this week’s KUDEN! and Warrior’s Whiteboard Wednesday teachings — short enough to read in minutes, deep enough to train for a lifetime.
 

This week’s lessons center on what it really means to train like a true Ninja Deshi — not just showing up, but taking responsibility for the quality of your own evolution between classes. If you’ve ever felt like your practice sessions were missing structure, or like you were “collecting techniques” without actually progressing, these insights are for you.

🥋 Tip #1: Become the Kind of Student a Teacher Can Trust

Being a deshi isn’t about rank or attendance — it’s about becoming a vessel your teacher can pour wisdom into.

That means showing sincerity, consistency, and the courage to be corrected.
A good student isn’t looking for praise — they’re preparing for transmission.

🎧 Watch this week’s KUDEN! episode, “What Makes You Worthy of This Art?” to see what real worthiness looks like.
 

🎧 You can catch it here: https://youtube.com/live/ODnmv8trT4A

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⚔️ Tip #2: Don’t Just Practice — Practice With Purpose

Technique repetition without reflection builds muscle, not mastery.
Each session between classes is your dojo to test understanding — not just “do the reps.”

Focus on principles like ma-ai, nagare, and kotsu — the “why” behind each move — so you can integrate skill rather than merely imitate form.

🎥 See how to structure these sessions in this week’s Warrior’s Whiteboard Wednesday: “Martial Arts Training for True Mastery.”
 

Watch it on Youtube: https://youtube.com/live/dnKnn4HySAQ

🥋 Want to Go Deeper?

If you’re ready to move beyond surface-level training and truly understand why each movement exists in the Sanshin and Kihon Happo — not just how to perform them — my Advanced Sanshin / Kihon Happo Home Study Course is a great next step.

It was recorded several years ago during a private seminar with just a few dedicated students and designed to bridge the gap between rote form and real mastery — breaking down angles, intent, and tactical purpose in a way that transforms how you see every technique.  It started out delivered on DVDs, but now a fully digital course... no DVDs ship. You get instant access to the lessons!

And, if you grab it now you can get it with a ton of other training bonuses thrown in at 95% off!
 

👉 Learn more or enroll here: https://onlineninjaacademy.com/advanced-sanshin-kihon-happo/

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🧭 Tip #3: Dig Deeper Into What You Already Know

Collecting techniques only fills notebooks; studying just one deeply fills you.
Every kata, kamae, and movement contains layers of strategy, psychology, and timing — if you have the patience to uncover them.

As Hatsumi-Sensei said, “I could write an entire book on just one technique.”

Ask yourself: Have you even written one page?

Most students focus on learning more techniques.
True deshi focus on learning every technique...deeper.

🚨 Next Step — Put It Into Practice

Tomorrow’s Advanced Ninjutsu Masterclass will bring this week’s lessons to life.
You’ll learn exactly how to break free from the “Technique Collector” trap, and see how one technique transforms through each stage of development — beginner, intermediate, and advanced — as confidence, fudoshin, and precision grow.

Don’t miss it — this is where philosophy meets power and your training goes from repetition to revelation.

👉 Register here: https://onlineninjaacademy.com/skill-evolution-masterclass/
 

 ⚔️ Ready to Train Like a True Deshi?
If this week’s lessons resonated — and you’re serious about finding the right direction for your training — I’m opening a few complimentary coaching call spots this week.
 

We’ll talk about where you are, what’s holding you back, and whether my Ninpo-Elite, Mastery, or Masterclass programs are the right fit for helping you move from knowing to living this art.
 

👉 Schedule your free strategy session here: https://onlineninjaacademy.com/call-request-ic/

That's it for this week's 3-Tip Thursday.
 

Thanks for reading, and I look forward to training with you again very soon!

“We are either exactly what we choose to be, or exactly what we have allowed ourselves to become.”

Dai-Shihan Miller
 

P.S. Follow the KUDEN! Radio podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio — and subscribe on YouTube to catch every new live training and tactical insight.