Which is better SKH To-Shin Do or ABD Bushindo?

Question

I have started to study To-Shin Do and it is interesting, but I would like some opinion from past students? Also, how about ABD Bushindo, is it similar to To-Shin Do or completely different, it is good to study too?

Answer 1

Instead of training in that amalgam To-Shin Do created by Stephen Hayes....why not actually train within the Bujinkan itself?

That system is the root of everything Hayes is teaching anyway...and while this is not meant with disrespect, you'd learn better from Hatsumi or his top Shihan directly, than from Hayes.

Stephen Hayes only studied directly with Soke Hatsumi once a week while he was out crosstraining in Judo and other assorted Japanese arts while in Japan. He's not nearly the expert in Bujinkan related arts that he says he is.

Answer 2

I'm biased - I've been in To-Shin Do from the beginning. I've studied Bujinkan style ninjutsu as well, but I have never studied Richard Van Donk's ABD Bushindo myself.

That said, To-Shin Do unquestionably delivers both super-effective self-defense and personal growth as a human being. As I've traveled around and tried various things, I've never seen anything to rival it. Stephen Hayes is an absolutely amazing teacher, and his students (the teachers of TSD) are themselves amazing.

The Internet is full of disparagers, 2nd and 3rd-hand sources, and even outright liars, so the only way for you to know is to get training in whatever you're wondering about... or at least invest in a DVD of some kind from each organization. Everyone I know with any martial arts experience that tried VanDonk's courses was not impressed... but I haven't tried them, and you'll find people on the Internet to praise the system.

Answer 3

Both are great, take the good technique, and leave out all that doesn't work.

Then you'd be practicing Jeet Kune Do, by doing that as well.

Best answer please.

Peace be to you.