The Ninja Art of Invisibility - Part One

"You might see me, but can you perceive me?"indicators by developing our skills in the following
How to disappear (or sneak past your cat) like aareas:
Ninja, including - 7 Step guide to STEALTH.Camouflage
Learn why Black is NOT the best color for a NinjaObviously you want to remain quite when traversing
and other mistakes wanna-be midnight warriors andthrough the woods or a dark alley. The key to
soldiers of twilight make when training to be aconcealment is learning and practicing a few
Shadow Warrior.The "Art of invisibility" has alwaystechniques of stealth. Camouflage is usually seen as
been a popular topic when it comes to learning aboutgreen patterned clothing for use in a forest.
Ninjitsu / Ninjutsu or the Art of the Ninja,Who areCamouflage (whether artificial or natural) is actually
these masters of the very hard to see?Who areany and all skill you use to remain unseen. This
these Warriors in the woods that look like leaves andincludes - sight, sound, smell and sense:
trees?Sight
This popularity (of people either being invisible orThe human eye sees movement first. So, this is your
disappearing) was brought on by the ever growingnumber one priority, in order to stay out of sight,
Ninja and martial arts films - not to mention the factyou need to know what you can do and what your
that it often serves as a realistic tool in today'sopponent is trying to do. This goes for all your
excuse related system of business self-defense. Theinvisibility training. Here are the basics:
attention brought by the media and other forms ofDon't be a jerk
entertainment have done a fare share to expandYou need to lean to move with patience and fluidity.
awareness and help spread the need for being ratherJerky movements are easy to see. Also, don't go
stealthy.disturbing the peace in a natural environment. A flock
For example:of birds taking off is a sign that something is in the
The villain in the moviearea.
"The Blair Witch Project"If you are heard - it does not mean that you will be
David Copperfieldperceived. Even if it is obvious that you are there.
RamboHowever, if you are seen - not only is it obvious that
Great presidential candidatesyou are there, but your exact position is now
OJ Simpson.revealed.What is that? Is that a big black head?
All of which were masters of stealth, invisibility,Your visual goal is to remove the distinct shape of
survival, hiding, and/or verbal claims such as, "I wasn'tthe human form. You will also need to pay attention
there."to shape and lighting. Think of what might create a
Let me start by saying, "There are no deep darksilhouette and know when you should hide, crawl,
secrets about the art of invisibility."The above is true,walk, stealth or run. What kind of uniform or outfit
even though it (being sneaky) may create an awe ofdo you have on? Do you stand out or blend in? Are
mysticism in the eye of your adversary.Invisibility isyou carrying a big sword or what looks like a tree
the art of employing simple techniques and skillsbranch?Form - an opinion
utilized in an effective manner in order to make oneDepending on your situation, jogging clothes often
hard to perceive or hear.make a much better outfit for urban invisibility. Why?
None of what you learn here will teach you to justWell, what if you happened to be revealed? A
disappear. This and all articles (outside of the story ofjogging suit is much more believable than the
how I survived a fight with 10 Black Bears fromembarrassment of having your tabi (a ninja warriors
Yosemite) are based on realistic approaches towardssplit toed footwear) out in plain sight. For
training. I will not (and I hope you don't either)photographs and Ninja films the uniform portrayed
concern myself with black magic or concepts basedlooks great, but it is more effective to look like a
on ancient history and storytelling. So put away thefallen tree branch than a model for Ninja magazine.
twisty fingers and the books on Kuji-Kiri and let'sColors for concealment
focus on some fancy footwork.In order to be invisible, it is crucial that you wear
If you truly want to master the art of invisibility, Iclothing or material that blends in with your
would also suggest you throw away your ninja textsurrounding environment. Colors should have the
guides to wearing black (which honestly isn't evensame level of intensity, brightness and contrast in
the right color for hiding in the shadows). And untilorder to remain consistent. Use the following guide.
you manage to track down David Copperfield - hereNight: Dark blue, black, gray or other dark color
are a few tips to improve skills in the physical realm.Country: Green and browns
The first is to memorize (not mesmerize) myCity: Gray sometimes blue
definition of being hard to see:Just because it is night, does not mean a black
To be invisible, you must not be seen or heard in auniform from head to toe will make you invisible. That
way that would distinguish you as YOU. Rememberoutfit will actually make you stick out and it will be
that forest with that tree that falls with no oneeasy to spot you when moving. Unless you remain
around to hear it fall? You know, the one that endsdeep in the darkest part of a shadow, a dark black
with this question: If there is no one there to hearoutfit is not realistic. Remember, black isn't a very
the tree fall, does it make a sound?natural color - the sky is dark blue not black and
Yes, the tree does make a sound. Why, because iftrees, leaves and grass are usually made up of
you were there - you would hear it and you wouldgreens or browns. Also, a black uniform is limited to
say, "wow that was loud." Regardless of yournight work, while a green and brown uniform can
presence or your perception of reality, the tree willadapt when the sun comes out.Remember, the goal
always make the sound. The real question is do weis to remove the distinct shape of the human form.
define the word "sound" and associating that to ourColor choices can help to do this.Movement
hearing. When in fact, the falling of the tree createsAlways move from shadow to shadow, rock to
a noise as a fact regardless of the way we perceiverock, obstacle to obstacle. Other strategies and
definitions. This is another concept of invisibility. Bothspecialized body tactics are used in combination with
the theory and the tree remain elusive and thusyour movements. The more you look like part of the
invisible. You want to be that tree.surroundings and the less you look like a human hiding
Okay, let me take you out of the woods before webehind a bush, the more likely you will remain
you get lost. The concept of invisibility means thatinvisible.You will usually use your environment in one
you can make sounds and even cross within yourof two ways: either to hide behind or blend beside. If
opponent's visual sight, but you must not bethe area you are hiding behind does not fully conceal
perceived.So, you can be within your enemy's eyeyour figure or form, then it is important that you
sight, in fact, he may even see you. However,shape your body to look like that of your cover. For
because you have blended in with your surroundings,example: laying down in a field, crouching amongst
you are not perceived. Another example is, "Where'srocks and extending your arms and legs along tree
Waldo?" You may be looking for Waldo, who is welllimbs and branches.
within your sight, but unless you perceive him, heNote that when doing so (aligning your body with
remains invisible.Invisibility is the art of blending in,that of an object for concealment) that you do your
becoming an insignificant part of our environment andbest to be in a position you can respond from. If you
disappearing within it. Hey, this reminds me of highlay face down in the mud and can't react when an
school.opponent is about to stick a 6 inch dagger in your
So, in order for us to remain invisible - we have toback you will have more than just mud in your face.
master the art masking any and all indicators. AnThis ends Part One - be sure to read Part Two to
indicator is something that would basically say, "hey,learn more tips on how to Stealth like a master Ninja.
it's me and I'm hiding behind this rock."We mask