Ninja Self Defense has closed.
But To-Shin Do training has a new home.
Get ready for the adventure of your lifetime as you journey through the five elements and build the skills and strength of will that made the ninja legendary.
This is the SNEAK-PREVIEW launch.
That means unfinished! Beta tests and bug reports.
It also means trailblazing! Your feedback has impact.
SNEAK-PREVIEW DEAL:
3 WEEKS for $1, then $40/month
Easy one-click cancellation.
Meet chaos with confidence.
NSD FAQ
NSD Questions
I had an active NSD membership.
Please check your email (and promotions / spam folders) for messages from [email protected] regarding the closure of Ninja Self Defense specific to your membership type.
If you aren’t able to find our messages, please reach out to: [email protected] for more information or support.
In short, all payments on NSD were stopped in December 2024. There is nothing that you need to do to close your NSD account.
If you wish to keep training with us, you need to register and create a new account on our new site—right here!
If you were on an annual payment plan for NSD, please reach out to [email protected] for more information.
When did NSD close?
Ninja Self Defense closed on December 31, 2024. Users are able to login to their NSD accounts to view their order history, receipts, etc. until June 1, 2025.
After June 1, users may contact [email protected] to request invoices or data from their NSD account. Per GDPR requirements, data will not be retained indefinitely, so please send any requests by the end of 2025.
Does To-Shin Do Online have the same content as NSD?
There are some changes to the content:
1 ) Content that is being removed: Dennis Mahoney has decided not to migrate all of his content from Ninja Self Defense to To-Shin Do Online. He will be contributing only content that he feels is most relevant to To-Shin Do. Hardee Merritt has opted not to participate in To-Shin Do Online. None of his content will be available on the new site.
2 ) Content that will be the same: All other content from Ninja Self Defense will be available on the new site, including all content from An-shus Stephen & Rumiko Hayes, 9th degree black belts Mark Russo & James Norris, and 7th degree black belts Helen Russo & Bryan Griffin.
3 ) New content!
On Ninja Self Defense it was possible to purchase certain DVDs from the extensive Stephen K. Hayes video library. On the new site, the entire Stephen K. Hayes library, including older and long out-of-print classics are included in your membership for streaming. Waves of Power. Ninja Night Warriors. The Historical Ryu series. Weapons trainings. The video magazines… We’ve got ’em!
The To-Shin Do curriculum will be much easier to navigate on the new site. Plus, this year we’ll be releasing a brand new version of the curriculum that represents a joint effort from top To-Shin Do instructors, including some never before featured on Ninja Self Defense like Scott Bragg, Johanna Norris, Hakim Isler, Kaitlin Voith, and more!
Who owns To-Shin Do now?
To-Shin Do Online (this website) does have new owners & a new team, but To-Shin Do (the martial art / organization) does not.
The To-Shin Do organization, curriculum, and intellectual properties are still held and led by An-shu Stephen K. Hayes and An-shu Rumiko Hayes as Hombu.
To-Shin Do Online, with Hombu’s support, provides access, training, communications (via newsletter and social media), email and product support, and other resources for the public and for To-Shin Do Clubs and Schools.
To-Shin Do Online is owned and operated by Bryan Griffin, 7th dan, and his team at Quest Raleigh.
READY TO TRAIN? Join TSDO:
3 WEEKS for $1, then $40/month
Easy one-click cancellation.
Training that meets you
where you are.
Whether you’re new to martial arts or hold rank in other styles—
Whether you’re new to To-Shin Do or running a dojo…
To-Shin Do Online is ready to meet you where you are.
Personalized Path
Just like any dojo, we’re ready to greet you as you walk in the door. You can choose to put on a white belt or, if you already hold rank in To-Shin Do, submit a quick verification and we’ll update your profile.
By knowing your rank, we can offer a clear map of the path forward, customize your training recommendations, and provide access to discussion groups and coaching for folks at a similar point in their journey.
Ninja Archives
To-Shin Do practitioners of all levels will enjoy exploring the Archives—a vast library of trainings and seminars, including (never before available online) the entire Stephen K. Hayes DVD and VHS library! No more searching resale shops these powerful ninja classics.
Every training on the site has been neatly categorized by our ninja librarians, making it easy to search by title, instructor, category, rank or technique! More than 900+ lessons!
Discussion & Community
Introduce yourself, share your wins, brainstorm a self-defense scenario, and exchange ideas with our worldwide community of fiercely compassionate To-Shin Do practitioners. All of the discussions across the site and even comments inside of trainings are easy to explore and search on your personal News Feed.
Imagine a private forum for martial artists with skillful moderators ensuring the space stays free of discrimination, disrespect, ego-centric devil’s advocates, and creeps.
TSDO FAQ
Training Logistics
What supplies will I need?
You will not need any supplies or equipment to get started. A pair of hand-held targets will be useful if you have a training partner, but are not required to begin.
Do I need a training partner?
You do not need a training partner to get started in your To-Shin Do studies. Most students spend about a year studying our first element, Earth (Yellow Belt), and our trainings are designed to support group and solo study.
You can test for your second element, Water (Blue Belt), without a training partner and begin your second year of study.
Testing for entry into the Fire, Wind, and Void elements can be done remotely (with our live, Zoom testing), but will require the use of a training partner, so that we can asses your timing, angles, and ability to affect their balance.
Testing for black belt must be done in-person at a To-Shin Do school or event.
That said, while self-defense and ninja taijutsu, at some point, requires us to work with another moving person, To-Shin Do Online offers many other types of training! Our weapons curriculum have historical kata that can be studied solo to build balance and coordination. We have fitness videos, survival skills trainings, meditations, and traditional ninja spiritual arts like the kuji kiri—there’s plenty of paths available for solo practitioners.
Can I get rank in To-Shin Do?
You can! You’ll be invited to put on your white belt as you enter the digital dojo (or to let us know your current To-Shin Do rank). You can get your yellow belt automatically by completing a few trainings and showing up in the dojo a handful of times.
As a yellow belt, you’ll be expected to spend about a year studying and practicing your Earth Element techniques. We offer self-assessment tools to help you recognize when you’re ready to test for your blue belt and enter the Water Element.
Testing for your blue belt (Water), red belt (Fire), green belt (Wind), and brown belt (Void) can all be done remotely through live testing on Zoom.
At this time the price for live group testing on Zoom is $80 and includes up to three re-tests. For an additional price a physical diploma and belt can be purchased and shipped to your location (if available for your area).
Each element is studied for approximately a year, which means it takes a minimum of five years to prepare for black belt testing in To-Shin Do. Black belt testing must be done in person at a To-Shin Do school or event.
To-Shin Do Online has curriculum, trainings, discussion spaces, and testing requirements for all black belt levels: 1st through 7th dan!
Can I become a certified instructor?
Students at To-Shin Do schools who have been given permission from their instructor to pursue their Coach, Trainer, or Instructor certification may request access to the Instructor Training area of To-Shin Do Online, where they can view the CTI video trainings and discuss with other instructors-in-training.
It is on the roadmap for To-Shin Do Online to offer the uniquely powerful To-Shin Do CTI (Coach, Trainer, Instructor) curriculum to remote students as well, but that is not available at this time.
Personal Questions
How old do I need to be to join?
You must be at least 18 years of age to purchase and participate in To-Shin Do Online. (If the age of majority differs in your country, you must be at least the age of majority in your location and over the age of 18.)
If you are interested in To-Shin Do Online offering a family training option in the future, you’re welcome to share your request with [email protected]
Am I too old to get started?
You can’t be too old for To-Shin Do, but you can be too stubborn. When we think of martial arts training, we often think it’s about strength and discipline. One more push-up. Power through.
That approach is fine for able-bodied young people who are learning the difference between what they think they can do and what they can actually do—between mild discomfort and actual damage. They’re studying the persistence and resilience of the ninja.
Folks with older bodies or disabilities already get plenty of practice persisting and powering through. The last thing you need is another voice outside of you (or inside your head) encouraging you to ignore your body and just do it.
To-Shin Do is profoundly adaptable and can work even if you a knee thing, back thing, wrist thing, or all the things…but only if you are ready to learn how to be adaptable. How to do less and experiment.
In its highest form To-Shin Do doesn’t rely on strength or power—the art of the ninja is subtle, evasive, invisible. Like fighting a ghost. So if, for whatever reason you’re less able to rely on over-powering your opponent, you might just advance more quickly!
Is this a good fit for total beginners?
To-Shin Do Online does not assume that you have any prior experience in martial arts or any particular level of fitness or physical ability. Total beginners are welcome and, as a benefit, you won’t have to work so hard to attain the valuable beginner’s mind—the ability to set aside preconceived notions and habits born from prior experience!
Is this community a good fit for me?
A dojo is a unique place. People of all ages, backgrounds, and beliefs put on the same uniform and learn the same traditional ways of showing respect to the training hall, instructors, and fellow students.
To-Shin Do schools and To-Shin Do Online, in particular, are known for being welcoming, encouraging, and supportive. Many people have forged life-long friendships with their fellow ninjas.
That said, this is a very diverse community with participants from (almost) every continent. (No one from Antarctica yet.) Not every person in this community is going to be a good fit for you ideologically, politically, or religiously. In fact, we do not allow discussion of politics in the forums, instead encouraging participants to use the courage and skills they gain here to connect and take action locally.
That said, at a minimum, everyone here identifies as compassionate, has a desire to prevent violence and suffering, and has agreed to show everyone else respect—so, if any of that goes against your beliefs, this community will not be a good fit for you.
I have another accessibility question.
Please send us your question: [email protected]
Payment Information
What's the price? Will the price ever go up?
During our Sneak Preview launch, you’ll receive a three week trial for $1, which will then renew at $40 per month.
Unlike NinjaSelfDefense.com which had multiple membership options, To-Shin Do Online has chosen to keep it simple. There’s just one option: $40/month. Cancel anytime from your easy-to-find member dashboard.
Can I pause or cancel? What's the refund policy?
You many cancel your membership at any time from your Orders & Payments dashboard. (Near the bottom of the side menu on your left when you’re logged into the membership site.)
During this sneak preview special you may cancel anytime during your three-week free trial. You will be automatically billed your first subscription payment of $40 at the end of your trial and no refunds will be given for payments that have been processed.
Are there any fees for testing?
You do not need to test for your white belt. The test is having the courage to get started!
As a white belt you’ll work through a course on To-Shin Do’s basic movements and concepts as well as a course on how to train. If you can pass our white belt knowledge quiz, then you’re ready for yellow belt. No additional testing or fees are required.
As a yellow belt you’ll be studying the Earth element. There are five elements in To-Shin Do: earth (yellow belt), water (blue belt), fire (red belt), wind (green belt), and void (brown belt). Each element will be studied for approximately a year prior to black belt. Another name for these belts prior to black belt is “kyu ranks.”
After a year of Earth studies, when you’re ready to test for your blue belt and enter the Water element, you’ll be able to purchase a live, online (Zoom) small group test with an instructor for $80, including up to three re-tests if needed as well as your diploma and belt.
After passing your test, you’ll be invited to participate in our semi-annual online graduation event, which will include promotions, black belt demos, and more! All new diplomas and belts will be shipped out after graduation.
Black belt testing is not available online. Black belt tests must happen in person at a To-Shin Do school or event. The price for testing and for your black belt certificate and custom belt should be confirmed with the instructor providing testing.
Got an infrequent question?
As a small team, we appreciate your patience. We typically reply within 72 hours.
The adventure continues.
To-Shin Do Training from White Belt to 7th Dan
Community Discussion Forums
Historical Training & Weapons
Spirit Training & Meditation
Live Testing & Promotions
The Ninja Archives,
including the complete Stephen K. Hayes video library.
This is the SNEAK-PREVIEW launch.
That means unfinished! Beta tests and bug reports.
It also means trailblazing! Your feedback has impact.
