You can communicate with Dux Ryu members about a variety of topics on the forum. Keep in mind that we don't use regular mail or send out paper information packs. Also remember that we are fighters not secretaries; answering emails falls low on our list of priorities. However, all emails will be read and we will respond to as many as possible. Many of your questions have been used to assemble this Frequently Asked Questions page, ensuring a response to everyone and a manageable workload for us. For the record, spamming or hate mail with illogical or unsupported claims will be ignored.

Hanshi Dux used to teach in his own dojo in California, but health problems and duties with certain government agencies put his teaching on hold. He ocassionally teaches privately. The current instructors are great teachers and Hanshi Dux still makes occasional visits to classes and social gatherings.

• Southern California
  • University of Southern California, located just south of downtown Los Angeles. We train in PED 201, the Physical education building just east of the track and field. Classes are 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. Non-USC students may call the USC Lyons Center for information at (213) 740-5127.
• Bay Area
  • Sensei Michael Alcava
    Dux Ryu Ninjitsu - Bay Area
    (650) 773-2220
    malcava@email.com

Hanshi Dux is currently working on a program that allows exceptional black belts from other systems to be certified to teach Dux Ryu. The certification process would take between eight months and a year. Hanshi Dux is about two thirds done setting up the program. Once the program is completed, the earliest that a new Dux Ryu dojo could be established is just over a year for any area that does not currently have a school. Remember, though, that a new Dux Ryu dojo can only be setup if there is a dedicated black belt in the area that is willing to go through the certification program.

Here is one Dux Ryu instructor's response:

"That's a tough question. I may be biased, but I feel that we have a fairly unique method of training and fighting. The closest thing, both physically and mentally, would probably be Bruce Lee's Jeet Koon Do. Next would be some form of Kung Fu. In the U.S. there are a lot of people who open schools that just teach fighting (usually claim to be some form of combat or street fighting school) and leave out any mental/philosophical aspects. I would stay away from them. Tae Kwon Do can be very good, but about eighty percent of those schools are in it just for the money, so the training is geared to keeping people happy, not to teaching them true Tae Kwon Do. The best thing to do, though, would be to visit the local schools and sit through one or more classes; get a feel for what's going on there. A great majority of the training depends on the instructor and the instructor's relationship with the students. Talk with the instructors also. Martial arts is something people do for life, so being comfortable at the onset is important."

The costs of Dux Ryu training change regularly. It would be best for you to contact the school/instructor that you are interested in and ask for a price.

There are no specific age, sex, or experience requirements for joining a Dux Ryu dojo. We have had students as young as twelve and old as seventy. Juveniles may need a waiver or legal guardian present.

Many people look to Dux Ryu for self-defense as well as confidence in overcoming physical disabilities. We have students fresh out of knee surgery who must wear leg braces. All students learn defense techniques practical for their conditions.

To train in Dux Ryu, everyone needs a durable black gi and a white belt. Men need to wear a cup and women are advised to wear a sports bra.

We encourage students to jump right in. Beginners keep the style alive and are given their due attention from the very start.

No, non-USC students may call the USC Lyons Center for information at (213) 740-5127.

Dux Ryu members wear a black gi. A gi is a typical martial arts uniform consisting of drawstring pants and a double-breasted top. The masked ninjas from movies are wearing "Shinobi shozoku," costumes that may not have been worn until the 1600's.

Students are moving and working the entire class. The proper techniques for rolling, jabbing, kicking, etc. are demonstrated then practiced repeatedly to make them second nature. Sometimes the class has ground grappling competitions or relay races through a makeshift obstacle course for fun exercise. Stregthening drills consist of basic conditioning burnouts--pushups, sit-ups, and anything else the instructor can think up. Toughness fades much faster than memory. Time spent rolling shins with bamboo to desensitize them is useless if you haven't drilled kicks enough to actually land a blow!

Dux Ryu students keep private notebooks. Hanshi Dux's autobiography, The Secret Man, is out of print and hard to find under $200.00. We do not currently sell copies. Getting Hanshi Dux's autograph by mailing your copy to him is unlikely since there is no way of knowing you will not merely turn around and sell the book for a profit he could have collected himself. However, he may make exceptions for acquaintances.

Dux Ryu is grounded in real Ninjitsu.

Dux Ryu is from Koga Yamabushi Ninjitsu.

Each student is different. Each student's individual effort, dedication, and abilities are large determining factors in earning a black belt. The real training starts after you earn your black belt. It is possible to lose your black belt if you stop training. For the average student, training in a dojo three times a week plus outside workouts with other students will lead to a black belt in approximately three to four years.

No, but Dux Ryu does include nonreligious, spiritual elements of ninpo.

Yes, we are always looking for affiliates.

No.

Yes, Dux Ryu includes them all.

Dux Ryu is very effective!