Quest Self Defense - Longmont
Not all Martial arts are called karate, and it isn't just for kids.
To-Shin Do
Various cultures and conflicts have created an array of distinctive martial arts in the world.
Our art is To-Shin Do, a martial art with a legacy tracing back to Japan's Togakure Mountain and the swampy region of Iga almost nine centuries ago. The story unfolds with the emergence of legendary and enigmatic heroes, figures steeped in mystery and military history.
Have you ever heard of the ninja?
Amidst Japan's feudal era ninja served as clandestine operatives with a mastery of stealth, secrecy, and tact. They conducted surveillance and gathered crucial military intelligence. These shadows, these ninja, thrived in their covert endeavors.
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For them, combat spelled not just defeat but imminent peril. Hence, they honed the art of evasion, seamlessly melding with their surroundings and artfully negotiating their way out of danger. They wielded diversion, deception, and disguise as their arsenal of expertise.
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Ninja delved into the same realm of hand-to-hand combat, weaponry, and military strategy as the samurai (with many ninja themselves being samurai), while specializing in additional skills for evading danger.
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In unavoidable confrontations, their code of conduct diverged sharply from the honorable ways of the fiercely proud samurai. Subtlety and trickery were used in place of bold overt action.
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They masked their true intentions, leading an attacker to believe they were winning, or orchestrating the entire conflict to appear as a clumsy mistake.
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How does this all translate to self defense?
Is your aim to teach a painful lesson to those seeking violence, or is it to ensure your safe return home at the end of the day? To-Shin Do teaches the ninja approach of getting home healthy, happy, and safe, no matter what. Why?
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In self-defense, fighting stands as the absolute last resort. Genuine assaults unfold unpredictably, the odds shifting unexpectedly with the sudden appearance of multiple assailants or when weapons emerge.
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In today's society, specific laws govern what qualifies as self-defense. A claim of "I was just trying to get away! I didn't want to fight!" might not hold up in court when faced with video evidence from a bystander's cell phone depicting you assuming an elaborate fighting stance, and delivering long-term harm, well after the conflict is over.
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Like the skills of the historic ninja, this art teaches self-defense for a variety of situations, and it also teaches when to disengage. Techniques that are scaleable in levels of damage and appear non-aggressive are used in favor of overt macho fighting.
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The Five Elements Model
Earth
White & Yellow Belt
Earth is the first element of study. In this foundational phase, you learn how to remain grounded in your thoughts and physical posture to stay stable against an attacker and repel attempts at distraction or deception.
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You will hone the art of using your entire body in each movement, ensuring that every action delivers maximum power.
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Water
Blue Belt
Move with fluidity, adjusting your position, angles, and movements to perplex attackers and disrupt their balance.
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Hone the art of maintaining the distance between you and an aggressor. Employ precise angles and controlled contact to gather crucial information and exploit openings in their defense.
Fire
Red Belt
Anticipate the trajectory of a situation as it unfolds and intercept it precisely at the crucial moment.
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Hone the art of timing in conflict resolution. Cultivate a heightened awareness of the attacker's impending action and proactively intervene, disrupting their momentum before it gains traction.
Wind
Green Belt
Enhance your agility by staying light on your feet, skillfully evading attempts to immobilize you.
Hone the art of knowing when to stand your ground and when to seamlessly flow with the rhythm of a fight. Acquire the ability to effortlessly maneuver past an attack, adeptly trapping and entangling the aggressor in the process.
Void
Brown Belt
Blend movements from the four foundational element principles.
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Hone the art of spontaneous creativity. Baffle your attacker by seamlessly transitioning between elements. Create a perception that they are gaining the upper hand, leading them to commit to their attack until it's too late for them to adapt to your strategic defense.
Advanced Elements
Black Belts
Strive for mastery across all elements, intertwining them to craft an art that reflects the uniqueness of your mind, body, and spirit.
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Through constant refinement of your skills and heightened senses, achieve a level of success that feels instinctive, effortless, and even appears invisible to others. Leaving them wondering, "What just happened?"
Our Instructor
Casey "Boutoshi" Toland
Goal: Empower students to conquer barriers, confront fears, and approach challenges in new ways. To teach the best martial arts Longmont has to offer.
As a spirited mentor who radiates enthusiasm and openness, Casey fosters a warm inclusive space
where everyone feels at ease to be themselves and ask questions. He invites those around him to
explore To-Shin Do concepts, test applications, and learn something new about themselves along the
way. He also challenges students to consider new perspectives, take their skills to the next level, and
bring helpful concepts learned in class into their daily lives.
Casey brings to classes over 25 years of martial arts experience, with over 15 years of To-Shin Do training in
both martial and meditative skills. Awarded the title of “Boutoshi” (Warrior Knight of the Abundant
Blade) in 2019 by To-Shin Do’s founder An-Shu Stephen K Hayes, Casey embodies an overflowing
passion cultivated through his diverse martial arts journey. He has attended years of seminars with
Stephen Hayes and other senior instructors, as well as studied directly under multiple teachers. He welcomes
life’s challenges and stands ready to assist you on your quest to unveil hidden potential and embrace
strengths for a more authentic and fulfilling life.
Beyond the dojo, Casey can be found exploring the outdoors, embedded in graphic design work, or
enjoying a new artisan project. Life for Casey and his wife Loy has been a continuing adventure. Leaving
their small Texas town behind over ten years ago, they embraced the unknowns of Colorado - drawn by
its stunning landscapes and the thrill of a fresh start. They were also brought here by a passion to
further study To-Shin Do after years of long-distance learning because there are so few schools in the
country. He is ready to share all that he has learned for those interested in this fascinating path – the
path of the ninja.
Our Founders
Anshu, Founder of To-Shin Do
Stephen K. Hayes
Stephen K. Hayes, a lifelong devotee of Asian martial arts and spiritual traditions, has traveled extensively across North America, Japan, Europe, the Arctic, China, Tibet, Nepal, and India in pursuit of perfection. As a global teacher, seminar leader, and lecturer, he promotes Life Mastery Through Martial Arts, offering practical lessons derived from his rich background in martial arts and meditation. Students and participants worldwide have found deep encouragement and empowerment in his teachings, leading to new levels of success in their lives.
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An-shu Stephen K. Hayes is everyone's image of the iconic master warrior sage. Black Belt Magazine calls him "A legend; one of the ten most influential martial arts masters alive in the world today" for good reason. He is peerless in his ability to share real and honest ninja combat secrets enriched by unparalleled insights from the Himalayan meditative mind sciences. His genius is his ability to translate exotic esoteric concepts from ancient cultures into practical useful understanding for Western seekers. His gift is his ability to deliver a complete and all-inclusive approach to personal security and personal power.
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Anshu, Founder of To-Shin Do
Rumiko Hayes
Rumiko Hayes stands out as one of the most inspiring martial artists globally. Despite her smaller stature, she has perfected her taijutsu movements with precision, enabling her to handle attackers of any size. Witnessing her effortlessly defend against larger opponents in the dojo is always an impressive spectacle, and she does it all with a smile.
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An-shu Rumiko's journey began in a coastal fishing village on Kyushu, the Southernmost region of Japan. Her fascination with ninja started in childhood, influenced by a popular cartoon show called Kaze no Fujimaru.
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After graduating from college in Tokyo, Rumiko joined Canon Camera, where she crossed paths with Stephen. Learning about his pursuit of ninjutsu in Japan, she assisted in translating some of the ninja grandmaster’s books into English. This collaboration reignited her childhood passion for the ninja, prompting her to visit the dojo and immerse herself in the training firsthand. She can be found leading private lessons at their home dojo as well as sharing skills with the next generation of Kunoichi (female ninja).
