This is why they can run and slice with their sword at the same time.

When I tried to explain to people that I ran like that because it felt as if I was wasting less energy, they couldn't understand. I even tried to explain it as if "it's like I'm constantly falling forward", but no one believed me. This helps a lot.

I practiced this a lot. I would like to add that this type of running does not use the heels, only the front of the foot, sso you do not loose energy on each step just from landing your whole weight, instead all the energy is spent pushing you forward. Tip: if you get the impression you ''float'' because your head is always almost at the same level, you are probably doing it right.

In Shorin style I was taught that you keep your feet in touch with the ground as much as possible, because that's the only way you can change direction or modify your movement. When you are off the ground, whether running or jumping, you are vulnerable for an instant. A sliding walk or run maintains control and the ability to react quickly.

The armor of samurai is really heavy, now i understand they run like that leaning forward so they can move faster with their equipment.

I was in the Army for 16 years and always wondered why the common phrase was "lean into the hill and make it do the work for you!" Until this moment I have never understand the logic behind it, and I thought it was a laughable statement. Now I know!

This principle is in fact used by all the top runners and is the basics of proper running form - the major difference being pushing off the ground. A good runner is always falling forward to conserve energy, as well as tucking the back leg after the kick to minimise energy needed to move it to the front. Have a look at how much sprinters lean forward compared to marathoners - the faster the pace, the more forward lean they have. In truth, this method was not forgotten, but enhanced and perfected over the years as the sport developed 😉

You actually also explained why it was common for samurai to keep their blade pointed behind them while running and only held smaller knifes in front of their bodys. They could lean further forward when they kept their swordarm behind the center of gravity

Another reason it is practical, is people back then were running with equipement on, swords on the side, travel bag, etc. This method makes you kinda ''float'' on the same level instead of going up and down, which makes it easier to run with stuff on you. Just compare both while having a backpack!

I've been doing this for years while jogging to save energy, be it less canted. One day it came naturally when I was exhausted at the end of a long run. Seemed logical and proved effective for longer distances or when burdened with a backpack. Amazing to see this is some ancient technique. I use a similar philosophy when quickly walking up stairs. You see people bobbing up and down as they push their center of gravity away from the steps, tilt their hip and move their leg up. The hip comes down to settle the foot that moved forward, stretches out the forward leg and lifts the entire rear leg plus body up before going forward for the next step and it all repeats. The hip doesn't need to move all this way up though. If you think about it: this bobbing up and down of your body only lengthens the journey (similar to zig-zagging) and, since you're going up against gravity, is exhausting. As long as you're agile, the thigh has enough range to make it 2 steps up while keeping the pelvis relatively straight. In other words: I climb stairs in a constantly lunged position keeping my hip and center of gravity at the same distance from the stairs at all times. It is surprisingly easy to hold this lunged position. The lack of hip movement makes it incredibly easy and fast, even for a full flight. The hammies do get tired but no more (often even less) than when using the normal push-drop of the pelvis. It is so effective that I even beat people who are walking up an actual escator beside me, and that's when I do it at a quick but still normal pace.

there should be olympics competitions just for this modality

I just came for the naruto run secret

Interesting video. I sort of came into this method while going downhill on the Inca Trail. I was so tired from tiptoeing forward, leaning back as an instinct to save myself from tumbling down, way down. Then I got tired, really tired with still a long way to go. So I thought to myself, why not letting gravity help. I started to tip forward just a bit, and my hind leg automatically catched up, so did my poled arms. And that continued along rest of the Inca Trail much more leisurely. Now this reaffirms what I tried. Thanks!

The first "ninja run" I ever saw was in the intro for one of the Tenchu games on the Playstation, Rikimaru , the main male ninja of the game, held one hand in front while leaning forward and held his other hand behind him at the hip to hold onto his sword to keep it from falling or making a rattling sound as unlike a lot of ninja media of the time, and even today, Rikimaru has his sword lengthwise behind his hip instead of across his back so he can do a quick draw from the hip and it's out of the way. Then came the Naruto Run which is so popular now..and in Batman Ninja the Bat Family does ALL the various running styles..regular running, Naruto running, old school one arm in front ninja run..all the different members of the Bat Family do a different style of run. I've done a behind the back draw with a full katan..with an extra long handle at that, and with a square tsuba 'ninjato' that has become the defacto standard to see. Of the two, while a behind the back CAN be done with either full sized sword, it's a lot harder to do depending on your arm length, while the behind the waist draw like Rikimaru has..much easier and quicker. Also of course length of the weapon is gonna be part of the equation to a quick draw..short Kodachi blade? Super fast draw if you know what you're doing even from over the shoulder. Always been a bit of a 'ninja nut' as the family has said..been fascinated with them both in fiction and reality for years.

I have no idea why KZfaq suggested me your video since I'm not in ninja, samurai or even anime stuff... But that is very interesting. What is still more interesting is that I run for years and I use this leaning forward technic for long run. Just use the gravity to push me while bending forward. It helps depending on the terrain too. I alternate with normal run too because not the same muscles are used. I tend to use more the front of my foot when running like this. When using he normal running technic I step my heel first. When I use the front of my foot it's more tiring for my calf and Achille tendon , when I use the heel it's more the tibialis anterior that I use and it's more traumatisating for my knees and spine. By alternating these two types of run I can give my muscles and joints a rest. Well I don't bend so much like you can do but I'm in permanent forward imbalance. I'm far less noisy too and can run like this with nearly any shoes. But when using the heel first I need thicker shoes to absorb the shocks.

When I was a kid in primary school we always run like this and that's why so many kids fall face down running. LoL!

Thank you. This channel is so underrated and is really helpful. Even if I cant use everything in a real life situation, that makes it no less badass. Thank you.

Trying this to make my walking exercises more efficient. It feels SO WEIRD at first!

Having not studied this I would assume that this was not an everyday style of walking but more of a combat or strategic style of walking / running

I am ready to become an anime character. Thanks to this

This is where the inspiration for the naruto run derives from

In the Alpes they also have an energy efficient uphill walk. That technic is easy, just using very small steps and you wont be exhausted as fast.

I knew about how keeping the center of gravity on the same level (instead of going up and down all the time while walking/running), and this absolutely random gem of an YT video adds another meaning on top of that. Thank you Ace, thank you YT :)

another thing at play, i think is that the arms when they are behind ur back act as a counterbalance to make sharp turns easier. coz in basic running u are like a standing stick that is moving fast and when u make a sharp turn u have to lean and contort ur body a lot so that u don't get carried away by the momentum. and so with ur hands behind ur back u can move them accordingly like cats and big cats do with their tails, using them as counterbalance to make the desired sharp turn.

we need to create a new running competition in the Olympics, the ninja run

In Karate, we use this step for attacks, when we quickly want to move towards our opponent. Thanks for the great explanation!

I can't wait to try it on my hill, let's go ! Already back, it was amazing.

I did the run on my first try and I swear I almost ran into a wall 😂 took 10 steps just to slow down never ran so effortless or fast in my life and I ran cross country no 🧢 I’m really 🤯

This is also how soldiers move on longer treks to save energy.

Is this taught as a method of maintaining center of gravity while in motion ? Interesting. I can see it could have many advantages and would require some practise. Contrary to other comments, the purpose wouldn t be speed but centering can be very advantageous, such as while carrying a load. In fact, that would be the best way to practise it. Also notice from your demonstration that there is no bouncing up and down as well as no twist or use of arms. This means it could be belpful for one recovering from injury who could not otherwise run. Many implications. How did you learn this ? Is it taught in any dojo ? What other goodies do you have related to this ? Count me as a subscriber and thumbs up.

i subconsciously understood this, but you laying it out (very simply, i might add) lke this makes it super easy to understand!! thanks!! this also probably contributes to the quietness afoot that ninjas were famous for, and likely removes heel-strike almost completely.

love it! glad i stumble upon this video and this channel no less! love your explanations and graphics! Subbed!

It's also how batman runs in the justice League cartoons.

This has helped me in my sprinting and boxing - thanks!

So gorgeous!! Thank you for your video Man!! I now have my eyes full of brilliant lights!!

I love me how you segwayed in to that Segway bit.

"Seek in the Past to find the Future" That's my life motto since 2017. I've been stuck into EurAsia (plus Mediterranean Africa), though.

I always said walking is just us putting ourselves in a perpetual state of falling forward.

I've actually done something like this to begin jogging because the forward momentum gives me a boost to start off with. The problem I have with the "leaning run" is that it would be limited by the speed of gravity pulling the body forward.

You deserves a lot more appreciation bro.. Good stuff.. ❤️❤️

No wonder why in some anime, just before fast characters run, there's always that small split "slow-mo" "falling" moment when their body leans forward and then they run super fast... Like they have the fast, stop, fast stop method or something... Like there's some sort of rhythm to their run. Definitely interesting way to run and I wonder if it's ever been implemented in a marathon or or sprint race or whatever...

This helps when you carry swords in the battlefield.

Thank you for the very nice walk through demonstration of how to apply the physics that makes it work 🤩

When he referenced the similarity between the run and segways, did anybody else picture ninjas on segways? 🤣

It's not just energy efficient. For you samurai you are holding your sword, keeping it from moving too much. Ninja carry an arsenal that is concealed and this kind of running helps reduce the sound of the weapons.

This is how drunk people stumble around without falling over lol

Great teachings of this young master👍🏼

Another thing to keep in mind, is swords. If you run like we do today, the sword would fall out of the scabbard, or out of the belt. Running so that the hips don't turn, keeps the sword in place, and it's easier to draw the sword if the arms don't swing.

I would have liked to see this in longer distance demos.

I don't run... my enemies have that role.

If you are a sprinter or play football we are taught this. It’s called forward lean. It’s arrow dynamic and increases your speed however you do use your arms to drive through. 👍🏾

Thanks for the video! I actually never thought to understand those mechanics on purpose, but now it's quite interesting to me. But first, would love see someone's doing this run in reality. And perhaps, try it myself. Also, there seems to be another advantage of your hands being free in this run: they are always ready to take out a weapon. As much as I remember different ninja-related episodes in films, ninjas were not really covering their head as you showed, but instead, holding one of their arms on the sword.

So this reminds me of something my track coach taught us. We don't push w/ our legs more than we try to not fall. But of course we twisted. The anime run is something I've tried and it has uses. The issue is its over exaggerated which usually leads to bad form. I use it for coordination and blade play. If you slack you arms, fall, then only to catch yourself the movements are "flashy". So its doable but I doubt very ninja, considering stealth and all that

Great breakdown. This is a solid channel.

This was interesting, I'm going to subscribe. I learned to do this when climbing a very steep hill several times a day for months as exercise but didn't consider that it could translate into running. Nice job. 👍

You can run at the speed of free fall once you perfect this

Very interesting! We do this type of run in the style of kenjutsu that I train in but it has never been explained to me why we do it that way

If this takes less energy, can we use this method as a good way to do long runs like 800m run😐

I love the inclusion of Ogata Korin's work in the background at the beginning!

Makes sense. I've spent quite some time in mountains and it's pretty intuitive to lean forward and make a big step. At times, you can't make small steps anyway due to the terrain.

Another similar trivia: Helicopters need to be tilted nose down, tail up in order to fly forward

Thanks! I always wondered about that. A few of the kids in my dojo run like that just for fun!

Awesome video. New to your channel, but I started taking Katana lessons this year so I’ll be watching your videos intently from now on. 👍

The most amazing thing to me is: the japanese found the simplest things in life like a sheet of paper or even just walking and explored it to find it's fullest potential, when no other civilization has done so. Any technology is basically adding stuff to evolve stuff into something else to make it 'better'. Japanese took what is and without adding anything, turned it into something unrecognizable. Great explanation and video

This reminds me of Kiyoshi Arakaki’s mention of both the “shrink-ground method” and how the COG moves in Naihanchi kata….

All running and walking are based on the principle of falling forward. All running and walking styles also need legs to push forward. The difference is, that with Olympic style sprint or marathon, all body is used to generate the push to keep balance. This way is more efficient in producing speed and in using energy. In "ninja style", the center of gravity is lower and stays on same height, and body posture keeps forward angle without so much twisting and bouncing. This can be useful in reducing noise by not stomping the ground, can be done with sandals and allows sword drawing while running etc., but is a bit slower and more energy consuming.

I love doing this run up stairs , seems effortless and i explain it as rolling into the lean and next steps with my feet to avoid face planting .

I’ve never really noticed this before, so thanks this helped a lot

This guy is an expert samurai.

Good info here! The less arm and twisting motions makes for more accurate strikes with or without weapons not to mention the momentum for more powerful strikes.. also the smoother motion will make it a more silent way to move quickly without your feet slapping the ground.. knee walking is also an interesting technique.. we used to have races at my old dojo to improve the fluidity of the technique 👊🏻

Thanks for the explanations you do on this channel it really helps since I am training in both Nindo and Bushido to become both an American samurai and a shinobi. (Oh, and nice music where can I find it? I have looked everywhere I could and still can't find music even similar.)

"Sick in the past to find the future"... BEAUTIFUL!!!! 😍😍😍

It actually comes naturally if you run long distances with a backpack...especially when you run uphill. So great video :)

From now on I'll be running like a ninja everywhere!

that explains what i have learnt in kendo and aikido. thank you for explanation.

Awesome, thanks brother. May GOD BLESS you, praying for you!

I just broke my bones-

So could you use this in a marathon

Thank you for sharing this wisdom

If only I had known this back when we had to run circles around the school during gym classes...

Dear Mr. Aoshima Please continue making good content of this sort. It pains me to find no new uploads for months now when your videos where a primo tool on the way to Samurai self-actualisation Thank you

similar to a non compliant gait where your knee doesnt lock and you lean forward. its a lot more efficient over uneven ground. try it next time youre at the beach. you walk much faster and efficiently over sand. you do need strong legs though to maintain a constantly bent knee.

I was in track as a kid I tripped and almost bust my face on the ground during a race. Running was how I kept my face off the ground. I won that race. I've been running that way every since.

A series of coordinated tumbling. Thank you

I can only comment that as much as I see world class sprinters, they always lean backwards a lot, but world class marathon runners don't lean, or lean slightly forward.

Need a challenge. Ninja vs Runner

Good thing I already have a tendency to sprint like a bull chicken mix. Leaning forward and running on toes, using shoulders to "push". Fun to know it's similar to a different style and actually has some logical benefits.

When your late for class and u start Naruto running: "Naruto music playing"

I think firefighters should do that too! You can (almost) run with heavy loads like that (Of course, if it's too heavy you gonna hurt your knees)

I can see this channel blowing up soon.

Someone I know's karate teacher told them it was also to keep the arms free to react or use without having to time the arms movements to the rhythm of your steps. I always did it running up stairs before I saw it on tv when young because you can swing your arms forward to pull back and jump the last steps faster! takes a lot of energy but lot of fun :)

Oh yes, the segway. The epitome of safety and never having an accident

I have been applying forward-lean running whenever I sprint since forever and have found a barrier. It is very difficult to have my feet catch up. I'm still the fastest in my school.

It´s interesting and sure it could have an application when sword fighting/carrying... but... I don´t think it´s more efficient, since the only way to compensate what gravity is doing would be with pure legs power, our legs would have to catch our weight to prevent us from falling and take us ahead. I guess it would require very big and strong legs, which is not bad, but they would have to be out of balance with our upper body... Mass wise speaking. Anyway, fun and interesting video... perhaps running with my sword while I hold it back so it won´t get stuck on anything... this would be the best way. Thanks!!

Cool. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you.. You just taught me how to operate a segway // I'll try not to fall flat on my face ... like on a segway lol . This is a technique NOT involving a sword, that I can imagine myself practicing.. like, TODAY . Great content thanks

I do like this style of running. How it focuses on longevity rather than speed. Would it be practical to use this method of running rather than our traditional way? Also, can this be an effective exercise?

It’s how Groucho Marx used to move keeping his cigar on a level path 🤪

Very interesting indeed. Thank you for sharing.

Thanks for this piece of knowledge actually useful Please keep it up