To answer the OP, Dr. Maasaki Hatsumi says no
My teacher and senior students make a trip to Japan twice a year to train with the master ninja. He's actually recognized as a National treasure in Japan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyvmhNFwjuo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC0rwG5rR8Y
The movement is the really neat part in Ninjitsu. I'm still a rookie, but it's that simple movement of your feet that is responsible for our movement. Basically, we're either bringing in our feet together, or reversing our stance from the forward and back feet. Note the use of pressure points and other pain tactics
