CARIBOU, Maine — A martial arts dojo that has been a mainstay in Caribou for many years has now relocated to Sweden Street, hoping to inspire more people of all ages to embrace a lifestyle of self-awareness and protection.
In October 2020, Northern Ninja Quest Center officially opened its doors at 42 Sweden St. after five years on Fort Street. After months of finishing final construction and dealing with the necessary COVID-19 restrictions, owners Bill Fuller and Ben Goodwin have been excited to see even more youth and adult “ninjas in training.”
Northern Ninja focuses on a modern form of ninjutsu called To-Shin Do. Founded by ninjutsu grand master Stephen K. Hayes in 1997, To-Shin Do prioritizes situational awareness and self-protection moves to safely get out of both armed and unarmed attacks.
Fuller initially began training in To-Shin Do five years ago after his daughter started classes. He said that martial arts has since allowed him to become more focused in all aspects of life and to gain greater self-confidence.
Fuller noted that his students have ranged in age from 4 to 80 years old and that To-Shin Do is a lifestyle that people can adapt to regardless of age or physical strength.
“It’s not about being faster and stronger than everybody else, it’s about self-protection,” Fuller said. “In self-defense, you’re always retreating from something that has happened. With self-protection, you’re aware of what’s happening around you so you can deal with it.”
Northern Ninja instructors teach both children and adult classes every Tuesday and Thursday, with each group participating in demonstrations once a month to advance through the levels and receive a new color-coded belt.
In a recent class, a group of around 25 children practiced “basic avoidance” moves, such as moving to the side or ducking down for self-protection against an attacker with a weapon. They also practiced how to properly protect their heads and hands during backwards and sideways rolls and techniques for fending off someone who attacks from behind.
Instructor and Northern Ninja co-owner Ben Goodwin has been training alongside his oldest daughter Isabella, 10, for the past five years and his youngest children Isaac, 8, and Emma, 6, have since joined them.
“My self-confidence and awareness has really improved. It’s given me a lot more focus in life,” Goodwin said.
Aside from having fun with her family and friends, Isabella Goodwin said that To-Shin Do has taught her important life lessons.
“It’s important to protect ourselves so we can stay safe,” she said.
