Todai Bujinkan Dojo

Todai Dojo’s instructors and its students are amazing! After never taking martial arts in my life I was nervous about going for the first day but after the first class I felt already part of the family, everyone there is so nice and helpful! Now it’s been two months and I can say I’m a lot more confident in my life and Todai has opened a new door in my journey in life. A must try for anyone from all ages!

Great training with a touch of humor makes this an excellent experience for anyone wanting to learn a martial art.

The Todai Bujinkan Dojo deserves at least 5 Stars. Here’s why: Many years ago I was searching for the right martial art and after months and months of frustrating visits to many Dojos I found Todai Bujinkan Dojo and immediately knew that this school of Ninjutsu was very special and its instructors were people with whom I would be honored to associate. I have been training here, locally, for over 12 years now and have also traveled twice to the the world famous Hombo Dojo in the small village of Noda City, Japan, in the outskirts of Tokyo to train with our Grandmaster and his top students of The Art. Training in Japan and locally under Shihan Woodard and now Shihan Hamilton and his top students has dramatically changed my life for the better from countless perspectives. Bullied as a kid, I am now blessed with confidence in my ability to protect myself and those that I care about. Although the school caters to students of ALL ages, at age 59, my physical well-​being and mental awareness and well-​being are are at an all-​lifetime high. I also have a stronger spiritual well-​being which I attribute in large part to my training. I once «introduced» this school and this art to a boy of a single Mom who I felt might benefit from being around Men and Women (but especially men) who might be good role models. The results were far better than I could have imagined. In time he achieved his NiDan (Second Degree Black Belt) and today he is an incredibly adjusted young man — confident and skilled. Although I could go on and on, I will end here. You will benefit if you chose to learn this wonderful art and meet the great people of The Bujinkan. I have no financial or other interest in this school. These are my honest and sincere comments about The Todai Bujinkan Dojo.

Great self defense practices, intense training and weapon self defense. I was sore after one class for days in areas I never knew could get sore. Great instructors who not only teach you the foundation but are so open to scenario questions and answers

Ever fantasized about becoming a Ninja? Now you can actually realize that fantasy.
I was going to give this academy one star but was afraid Mr. Woodard would hurt me, so I changed the rating. Just kidding! This academy rocks.
This is a serious martial arts academy, where you really can learn the traditional ninjutsu /​taijutsu art, and continue to grow in the art for a lifetime. That’s right, ninjutsu is a great art for people of all ages and stages of physical condition. It helps to be in good athletic condition, but you can be pretty darn dangerous when you’re 90, if you continue to train.
In fact, Matt Woodard, the academy’s shihan, has recently adjusted his program to more closely follow the methods established in Japan by the grand masters. Most of his classes are two hours, but he has a few that are an hour… just in case two hours is a bit much.
I’ve taken other martial arts: Tang Soo Do and Shotokan. I have friends who became advanced at Tae Kwon Do and the ever-​popular macho Mixed Martial Arts. Feh. Nothing compares. Yes, there is a reason Ninjutsu artists are banned from MMA competitions.
Think of Ninjutsu as Legos. You nail down about 8 basic techniques, then creatively link them together to form an infinite number of moves. Isn’t that what «art» is? Yes, the art of creatively causing pain and mayhem.
So, here I am, in my 50s and I’m not afraid. No, I’m not going to cruise through Skid Row at midnight. That’s just plain stupid. And that’s also part of what you learn. In addition to learning how to face-​plant a bad guy, you also learn how not to be stupid.
Anyway, you learn cool stuff that modernizes the art. Stuff like how to take away a gun or knife from some desperate dumbass. But once you’re a black belt (which takes about 3 years), you’ll learn the more daunting weapons like the sword and bo staff. In the lower ranks, YES, you learn to throw the ninja stars (shuriken for cry’n out loud!), and to properly use nunchuks, and other cool weapons. Ever thrown somebody with a string? Yep, you can do it. It’s all very cool and useful.
As a bonus, the Woodards take whomever can afford the time and money, to Japan about twice a year, to work with the grand master. My son and I went to Japan with the academy in August of 2011. It was an unforgettable experience. I had always wanted to go to Japan and this was the ideal way to do it. I didn’t train as much as my son did but the training I did do, I still remember. It was also really good to be with a group with the leadership and some members already familiar with the train system, culture, local restaurants, etc., in the Northeastern portions of the Tokyo area.
One hidden benefit of going to Japan is affirmation that you have received the best training in the world, via Todai Dojo Ninjutu Academy. At first I was a little apprehensive to be that Ugly American training among a world-​wide variety of Ninjutsu students in Japan. My fears were quickly allayed when I realized that I had a better foundation than 90% of the students training in Japan. You can rest assured that this academy is the real thing and that you are being prepared to practice the art, from and among the best in the world.
I’d give Todai Dojo 6 stars if: 1) Find a way to open on Friday, even if manned by one of the Instructors In Training, 2) Persuade Mrs. Woodard to teach more. No offense, but it is really cool to have some variety. Hey it took 7 flight instructors before I pieced it all together for my pilot’s license. Mrs. Woodard is a fine asset to the academy.
Go sign up for an introductory deal at the academy. Ninjutsu is a hard martial art to gain authoritative training in. There’s a Mc Dojo on every street corner. This place is different. Matt Woodard is the highest ranked Ninjutsu Shihan in the area… maybe in the USA… and he’s RIGHT HERE in Moorpark! Plus, he’s really cool. What more could you ask for?