TAIHENJUTSU －体変術 (body changing skills)
Is a system of movement that allows the user to adapt to his or her environment through a series of postures and skills primarily relying on dexterity, coordination, agility, and bone alignment. Taihenjutsu translates roughly to “Body changing skill,” and is utilized by various Ryus and systems throughout martial arts.
Taihenjutsu typically depends on skills that require the user to have a fair degree of spatial awareness as well as kinetic awareness due to the constant movement and placement via pinpointed pre-cognition based on muscle memory. Because of this, highly developed taihenjutsu specialists typically develop a high degree of awareness in their environment and bodies which allows them to escape injury from strikes, throws, pins, etc.
Ninpo Taijutsu involves techniques of using the feet and Body, Taihenjutsu (体変術) body changing arts which includes, Kaiten（回転) rolling, Ukemi (受身) taking a fall, Hoko Jutsu (歩行術）method of walking, Senko Jutsu （潜行術）concealing arts and Hicho Jutsu （飛鳥術）leaping arts.
Awareness of your opponent is crucial throughout. The first step to attaining these skills is to have a nimble mind and body. Proper stretching is essential. The starting point is Kaiten, Nagare and Ukemi.
Zenpo Kaiten – 前方回転 (forward roll)
From a natural standing posture step forward and lower the body until the hands can touch the ground. Using two hands, one hand, or no hands roll forward over the shoulder and finish in Ichimonji no Kamae. When rolling forward move the head to the opposite side.
Koho Kaiten – 後方回転 (back roll)
From a natural standing posture step back and sit down naturally. Using both hands, one hand, or no hands roll back over the shoulder and finish in Ichimonji no Kamae. When rolling back move the head to the opposite side.
Sokuoho Kaiten – 側方回転 (side roll)
From a natural standing posture step sideways until the hands can touch the ground. Using both hands, one hand, or no hands roll across the back and finish in Ichimonji no Kamae. When rolling sokuho one must roll across a straight line. If rolling on an angle it will be Zenpo rather than Sokuho.
Ushiro Nagare – 後方流 (back flow)
From a natural standing posture slide one leg forward until the torso is touching the ground. The opposite leg supports the body weight. Using hands, one hand, or no hands roll back over the shoulder opposite to the straightened leg and finish in Ichimonji no Kamae. When rolling back the head must be moved to the opposite side of the roll.
Yoko Nagare – 横流 (side flow)
From a natural standing posture slide one leg sideways until the torso is touching the ground. The opposite leg supports the body weight. Using both hands, one hand, or no hands roll back and on an angle over the shoulder opposite to the straightened leg and finish in Ichimonji no Kamae. When rolling back the head must be moved to the opposite side of the roll.
Zenpo Ukemi – 前方受身 (front break fall)
From Shizen no Kamae raise both hands to face level, then join both hands together fall straight down in a forward direction allowing the palms and the whole arm to absorb the fall then come up and kick forward.
Koho ukemi – 後方受身 (back breakfall)
From a natural standing posture raise both hands to the side of the body and fall back allowing the hands sit the ground at the side of the body at the point of impact. The chin must be tucked to the chest to avoid injury to the head.
Yoko Ukemi – 横受身 (side breakfall)
From Shizen no Kamae slide one leg sideways while raising the same side hand in the air, fall to the same side and hit on impact with the whole arm palm facing the ground. The chin must be tucked to the chest to avoid injury to the head.