Like many of members of the Bujinkan in America, I have been training with a small isolated group of loyal practitioners. Once a month we make our pilgrimage of 150 miles to go train with Greg Kowalski at his dojo in Wallingford, Connecticut. We spend about 4 hours training, a little conversation over pizza and back in the car for the 2 1/2 hour drive home. Our own practice involved getting together twice a week for 1 1/2 hours in my basement to review Kihon Happo and other basic skills and to work on whatever the theme of the month was from Greg's seminar. After 6 years of training this way I had finally had a large enough group in New Hampshire to make the next level of commitment, our own Dojo.

Utilizing the various talents of the group we designed and built ourselves a two story Dojo over the course of 1 year. Although we have only 900 square ft of actual training space, with a changing room/ bathroom and therapy room downstairs, we feel it is a royal palace.

All of us are very proud of this Dojo because of the fact that we built it ourselves. It shows a dedication to training aside from the actual weekly practice and seminars. For me, it is another reminder of what being a member of a group and being a martial artist is all about. Lots of lessons on working together, team building, etc. which I cannot even begin to describe, took place over the course of building the Dojo.

I would like to formally thank those who were involved, and offer an invitation to any Bujinkan members thinking of visiting New England to stop on by and train with us. Drop me an Email or call The New England Ninpo Dojo (603)672-4053.

Leon Drucker has been studying Martial Arts for over 30 years. His background includes a Shodan in Judo under Professor Ishikowa, 20 years of practicing and teaching Tai Chi Chuan and Northern Shoalin Kung Fu under BC Chin and 6 years of study in Ninjutsu, not counting the Stephen Hayes Seminar stretching back 12 years ago. He is a practicing Massage Therapist residing in New Hampshire, and facilitates a small training group under the supervision of Greg Kowalski. For comments or questions please contact him via e-mail: Shadowaryr@aol.com.