Nyingbulam ( ning-boo-lamb )
(Tibetan text meaning; The Way of Compassionate Excellence or Compassionate Excellence Way)
Maximum Defence ~ Minimum Effort ~ Compassionately-Humane
The art of Nyingbulam was formulated and founded by Shiso Nyingje Norbu (Jason Carter). It came to be after he spent years training in different martial and non-martial arts. At the time of creation he was a 3rd degree Black Belt in Shotokan Karate, 3rd degree Black Belt in Seishindo Jujitsu and as well had training in Black Dragon Kung Fu and Judo. It was original taught under the name of Jiyu Yoshikido (FreeStyle Way) at K&D Martial Art Centres in Clinton, Ontario, Canada. But after finally forming a formal syllabus and belt rank system the name was changed by Shiso Norbu to “Nyingbulam” just before it was recognized as a combat art by four international organizations.
So what is the syllabus basis of Nyingbulam? The art uses a variety of techniques such as. The devastating strikes of Shotokan Karate/Kick Boxing. The bone breaking locks and throws of Japanese/Brazilian Jujitsu as well as the blinding pain and control of Pressure Point Manipulation. But with this comes the knowledge and understanding of when, how and how much to use in a given situation.
The 4 rules of Nyingbulam:
1. We will defend ourselves in the upright or the ground positions by using a variety of strikes and pressure points or/and controlling our opponent with holds and locks.
2. The amount of defending aggression is directly proportional to the amount of the attackers aggression.
3. We use our training and assess every situation for the best and most compassionate/humane course of action.
4. We then only use enough force necessary to stop or nummify the attack – while using the most compassionate/ humane means possible.
The basis of Nyingbulam training system is rooted in tradition but with a modern attitude. Which means we still bow entering and
exiting the dojo/training hall. We still address the instructor’s as Sensei. But being of a modern attitude we train for a different reason then they originally did so many years ago. In Nyingbulam we train for the defensive not
the offensive. Which does not mean we stand there and let our abuser abuse us. It means we train to defend ourselves from the people that wish to do us physical harm. In the art of Nyingbulam we train, what we call the whole
game. Which means there is no major emphasize on the standing fight or the ground fight. Emphasize is given to the whole game (ground and standing) as well as the transition between them. To be good on the ground or the standing
fight is great, but without knowing and feeling comfortable in the transition between them, the fight will be lost. So we train the standing long distance game with, jabs, reverse punches and thrust kicks. We train the standing
close distance game with, bent arm punches (hook, cross & upper cuts), knee strikes, elbows & clinch work. Then we also train the ground game with, joint locks (armbars, legbars & chokes), reversals & guard work.
Last but not least we train the transition between the two. During this we train techniques such as, throws, takedowns & re-stands. But one important area we also teach in Nyingbulam is pressure point manipulation. This is to
maximize our defensive actions and to create a more humane result. So we train the whole game so we are able to defend ourselves in any circumstance in any position without thought. So in the art of Nyingbulam
a student learns to us his mind and heart in battle. He first assesses the situation. He then uses his mind to determine the level of aggression of the attack and finally he then uses his heart to determine the appropriate response to the attack.
The way of compassionate excellence
The martial arts start off by doing many things for many people. But at one point we all converge.
At his point we come to a peaceful mind. It becomes peaceful through the understanding of our body and our minds eye. Then this peaceful mind starts to cultivate compassion.
This compassion spreads from us to others. This is why we call it: Nyingbulam ~ compassionate excellence way
The path may seem long and hard, The travels fade in the comparison to the reward… Nyingje Norbu
but once we get there…