Hoshin Budo Ryu

Hoshin Budo Ryu, also known as Hoshin Budo, was founded by Rob Williams, a senior instructor in Hoshinjutsu and a direct student of Soke Morris.
Williams holds master level rank in all areas of Hoshin combat and esoteric training under Dr. Morris. Williams is a Hoshin Tao Chi Kung master and was trained and certified by Dr. Morris to teach and award rank in Hoshin Tao Chi Kung. He also taught and lectured with Dr. Morris on the subjects of Kundalini Awakening, energy healing, martial arts, ninpo and chi kung. Mr. Williams went through the full kundalini awakening in 1999 under the personal guidance of Dr. Morris. He has the largest network of personally trained students and instructors in Hoshinjutsu under Dr. Morris. Hoshin Budo has training groups in 11 states in the United States, as well as training groups abroad.
Rob Williams created the Hoshin Healing and Massage system at the request of Dr. Glenn Morris. He worked directly with Soke Morris in testing and refining the Hoshinjutsu system and syllabus from 1997 to 2003. At the time of Dr. Morris' passing, the Hoshinjutsu system had 5 dan ranks. After Dr. Morris passed away, Rob introduced 5 additional dan ranks to the Hoshinjutsu system in order to show continued growth of the Shihan (senior instructors). This was later followed by the Hoshin Roshi Ryu. He also created the "Doc" Glenn J. Morris award which is given to persons who have contributed to the growth and development of Hoshin.
Hoshin Jutaijutsu
Each level of Hoshin is associated with a particular chakra in esoteric physiology. Chakras relate to the endocrine system and affect our attitude and energy levels. They are also related to nerve nexii on the spinal column. Thinking in a particular way as the techniques are learned allows for a connection between the attitude and the physical movement. These responses are internalized and will surface depending on emotions in a given situation. Hoshin uses the Godai movement model (Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, Void) as a way to work with each chakra and develop ones self into a balanced human being. The Godai model in Hoshinjutsu is more than just physical movements. It is a model for integrating emotions with a physical response so that true mind/body harmony can be achieved. One must practice the appropriate attitude, breathing dynamic and movement in order to train your instincts to give the proper response. This is mind, body with spirit (intent) working together.
White Belt
The White belt is earned in Hoshin. It shows acceptance into the system, after demonstrating willingness to learn and progress. The strategy and philosophy of the Godai is explored. The elemental attitudes correspond to dynamics of movement and particular angles. Each element has an appropriate breathing technique that maximizes its effectiveness. This helps students understand the proper execution and timing of Godai based movements. There are 5 kyu(pre black belt grades) after White Belt.
Earth Belt

The first kyu grade after white is Earth or Red Belt. The Earth attitude is relaxed and happy acceptance of a situation as it is. The attitude is steady and confident, without feeling in danger. Earth movements deal with the situation with minimal effort and motion. The chakra related to Earth is located at the tip of the tail bone. The color associated with this chakra is red. The Earth center is the connection with the physical world.
The core strategy and body dynamics are studied to achieve the appropriate emotional reaction when threatened. This can be as simple as a conversation or as severe as being mugged. Basic methods of punching, kicking, throwing and grappling are learned with attention to maximizing what your body type can do. Students are introduced to weapons such as the knife, rope or chain and hanbo.
Water Belt
Water or Orange Belt is the next kyu grade in Hoshin Jutaijutsu. The Water attitude is defensive. It is moving away while gaining a safe position in which to strike/counter strike. The Water chakra is located at the hara, 2 inches below the navel. Its color is orange. It is associated with our emotional reactions to the world around us. The adrenal glands sit atop the kidneys and are activated when a situation becomes intense. The fight/flight response is tied into the Water center. The movements are based on fear or surprise. Water represents having guts or doing something even when afraid. The endocrine glands connected to this chakra are the adrenal glands. This level teaches your body how to channel the energy of reactive terror into power.
Fire Belt
Fire or Yellow Belt is the next kyu grade in Hoshin Jutaijutsu. The Fire chakra is located at the solar plexus. The color of this chakra is yellow. When one moves from the Fire center, there is a one pointed focus. A person will move directly through the danger or find the fastest way to resolve the conflict. This is where you feel excited about winning. Fire Belt covers basic Dim Mak, pressure point fighting and advanced anatomy for combat application. Advanced weapons techniques as well as firearms use are learned at this level. Students are taught to finish a fight immediately. Pain control and application are fine tuned so that fighting becomes easier. Fire Belt is about facing and overcoming obstacles.
Wind Belt
The Wind or Green Belt is the next kyu grade in Hoshin Jutaijutsu. The Wind attitude is accepting and receiving. The Wind chakra is located at the heart. Its color is lime green. Wind relates to compassion, caring and healing. The attitude is one of not wanting to harm your attacker. You are using the least amount of effort possible. The movements are light, yet very powerful and usually circular or floating to the sides moving horizontally. Wind can also be like a hurricane. You blend with your attackers movements in order to take control or avoid the attack.
Void Belt
The Void or Blue Belt in Hoshinbudoryu is the kyu grade after Wind Belt. The Blue Belt indicates that the student has gained significant control over his or her esoteric abilities. The main focus of this belt is the continued mastery of meditation. The advanced use of intent, Psionics, Hoshin Tao Chi Kung, knowledge of the body’s meridians, fighting with energy and an array of other esoteric practices are also studied in more depth. Students continue their inward journey and are tested by the sensei to track the development of these abilities. The Void Belt, which was purple belt in the original Hoshin system, is where one needed to get serious about Chi Kung. Later, this became an honorary belt for esoteric accomplishment outside of the Hoshinroshiryu. The kyu grades then went from Wind (Green) to Shodan (Black). Hoshin Tao Chi Kung became more an area of further study at the student’s discretion. It was/is hoped that the students will practice their internal training and surpass the lower belt requirements. In Hoshinbudoryu, you cannot get a Black Belt without developing chi.
Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt)
This is the first Black Belt rank in Hoshinbudoryu Jutaijutsu. The student must be able to teach all techniques through Blue Belt. Students must achieve the lesser Kan and Li (opening of the Microcosmic Orbit). Usually a Blue Belt teaches for one year to qualify for Shodan. The techniques learned for Shodan ensure the student will not only be competent in the Godai attitude for each of the five elements, but will also learn ways to successfully counter these strategies. Students practice advanced, realistic Jutaijutsu against multiple attackers, both armed and unarmed. Advanced weapons training and espionage are also studied. Students learn to shield themselves from mental manipulation. Students learn to defend themselves from disadvantaged positions such as sitting in a chair or handcuffed or bound at the wrists.
Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt)
Nidan is the second degree Black Belt in Hoshinjutsu. Students must solve an assigned koan or riddle and contribute an original variation or totally new technique to the system. A Nidan is able to write and lead directed meditations that manifest the following elementals: Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, Void, Intention and Healing.
Students practice advanced meditation for developing the ability to externalize chi. Techniques for astral projection and remote viewing are also learned. After Nidan, the student continues to run their training group and works on mastery of Hoshin Healing or another healing modality.
Sandan (3rd Degree Black Belt)
In Hoshin, the Sandan (3rd degree black belt) is the level one is expected to achieve Hoshin Healer certification. The 4th and 5th degree Black Belts were Shihan level in traditional Hoshinroshiryu Jutaijutsu. The title Roshi (spirit master) was used by Glenn for instructors at these ranks. Traditionally, once a Black Belt reached Godan they were expected to go off and do their own thing. This was the point in which you became the master of your own expression of the art.
After Dr. Glenn Morris passed, Rob-soke decided that his system would add additional Black Belt ranks in order to show continued learning and development in Hoshin. This ensures the teacher is successfully mentoring their students while continuing to work on themselves. The 6th - 10th Degree Black Belts are honorary ranks awarded for mastery of additional areas of training offered by the Ryu.
Excerpts from Quantum Crawfish Bisque for the Clueless Soul: How Choice Helps Create Success or Despair by Glenn J. Morris 2006

“Rob Williams has systemized the healing side of Hoshin into a distance learning system with a certification program in budo massage.”

“Healing of subtle injuries was probably one of the early forms of mental therapy and works pretty well for more mundane injuries as Rob Williams, who is nationally certified in massage therapy and heads up our budo massage therapy can verify.”

9 Areas of Study
Hoshin Budo Ryu offers training in 9 different areas of study
*Hoshin Jutaijutsu
*Hoshin Yoga
*Bujinkan Ninpo
*Psionic Arts
*Mandala Therapy
*Hoshin Tendai Mikkyo
*Kundalini Awakening Process (KAP)
*Hoshin Healing
*Hoshin Tao Chi Kung

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