Linda Van Donk

DeCuerdas Professor - Next Inheritor

Shihan Linda Van Donk’s Martial Arts Profile

Instructors_LindaVanDonk Linda started martial arts in High School when she joined a fencing class. She loved the foil for its quickness and that it was as demanding for her mind as it was for her body. Linda, a Senior Shidoshi (10th dan) is the Director of Training for the American Bujinkan Dojos.

Linda Van Donk is the Co-Director of Bushindo Martial Arts University operating world wide in over 100 countries with its International Dojo Headquarters in Middletown, (Northern) California, U.S.A. Linda earned a degree in cultural & physical Anthropology. She is a film producer of over 40 martial arts and self improvement titles as well as the senior editor for Bushindo University Publications. She is the director of the American Bujinkan Dojo and President of Bushindo Inc.

Shihan Linda is the only Level 6 instructor of Dynamic DeCuerdas Eskrima (she was a personal student of the late DeCuerdas Grandmaster Gilbert Tenio) and one of the highest ranking female Bujinkan Ninjutsu Shidoshi (Instructors) holding the rank of 10th Dan- 3rd level in Ninjutsu granted directly from Grandmaster Masaaki Hatsumi.

DeCuerdas Eskrima

True DeCuerdas is a pure blade fighting system that is one of the rarest mother systems of Eskrima. DeCuerdas means to windup as in winding a watch (‘spring forward’) and has deep spiritual and philosophical roots as well as a very powerful weapons art. Linda Van Donk has earned the rare title of Master (Professor) at Level 6 (Level 7 is the highest) in Dynamic DeCuerdas Eskrima from Grandmaster Richard Van Donk, an inheriting GM. Linda studied diligently with Grandmaster Tenio for many years before his passing. She is now retired from actual teaching while privately practicing with her husband Richard. She maintains an active role in supporting the DeCuerdas Eskrima family.

Ninjutsu

lvdhats Linda Van Donk has received her ranking direct from Soke Hatsumi and has trained with him in Japan and around the world at various tai kais over the years since 1986. She started training in Ninjutsu with her now husband Richard in 1985.

In May 1995 Linda passed her 5th degree test at the Tuscon Tai Kai in front of a panel of Shihan teachers. Linda became one of the very few females in the world to ever take this coveted sakki test directly from Soke Hatsumi and pass the very first time. Soke Hatsumi awarded Shihan Linda Van Donk her 10th degree BlackBelt Menkyo license on Dec. 2, 1995 (Soke Hatsumi’s Birthday) after she brought 4 signed recommendations from some of the very top Bujinkan Shihan on April 2nd, 2004 (Takamatsu Resurrection Tai Kai). Linda retired from active Bujinkan training at the rank of 15th dan (Highest level) to pursue her conscious evolution and spiritual awakening path. It is through her compassion that the art has grown as it has around the world.

Spiritual Studies

lvdspeak Linda considers herself to be a perpetual seeker of truth. She has traveled around the world visiting, meditating, and studying sacred places and people such as the Pyramids & Nile temples in Egypt, Satgurus & Temples all over India, Dogzen Empowerments directly from the Dalai Lama, Stonehenge, Glastonbury & Avebury in England, Mt. Shasta, Ca., American Indian holy sites, Mikkyo Temples in Japan, Central American ancient civilizations of Palenque, Teotihuacan and several others deep in the jungles of Mexico, China and Tibet temples, etc. searching and studying aspects of spirituality and consciousness.