Additional Information
What is Judo?
What is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?
What are the benefits of Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training?
Do students learn to defend themselves?
Do I have to be in good physical condition to start?
How are the classes structured?
What type of techniques are taught?
Am I too old/young to begin?
Do students participate in competitions?
Judo
Judo is many things to different people. It is a martial art, a sport, a discipline, a recreational or social activity, a fitness program, a means of self-defense or combat, and a way of life. It is all of these and more.
Kodokan Judo comes to us from the fighting system of feudal Japan. Founded in 1882 by Dr. Jigoro Kano, Judo is a refinement of the ancient martial art of Jujutsu. Dr. Kano, President of the University of Education, Tokyo, studied these ancient forms and integrated what he considered to be the best of their techniques into what is now modern Judo.
Judo was introduced into the Olympic Games in 1964 and is practiced by millions of people throughout the world today. People practice Judo to excel in competition, to stay in shape, to develop self-confidence, and for many other reasons.
Judo, which is translated as the "gentle way", teaches the principle of flexibility in the application of technique. This is the flexible or efficient use of balance, leverage, and movement in the performance of Judo throws and other skills. Skill, technique and timing, rather than the use of brute strength, are the essential ingredients for success in Judo. For example, in Judo classes you may learn how to give way, rather than use force, to overcome a stronger opponent.
The principles of Judo, such as "Maximum Efficiency" and "Mutual Welfare and Benefit", can also be used in our dealings with others in life. The ultimate goal in Judo is to develop oneself to the maximum extent possible, always striving for perfection, so that you can contribute something of value to the world.
Note: The description above was obtained from the Judo Information Site (www.JudoInfo.com)
Additional Reading:
An article on Judo on Wikipedia
An article on the founder of Judo, Jigoro Kano, by Andy Adams
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Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art and combat sport that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting with the goal of gaining a dominant position and using joint-locks and chokeholds to force an opponent to submit. The art was based on early 20th century Kodokan Judo, which was itself then a recently-developed system (founded in 1882), based on multiple schools (or Ryu) of Japanese Jujutsu.
Jiu Jitsu promotes the principle that a smaller, weaker person using leverage and proper technique can successfully defend against a bigger, stronger assailant. Judo throws and wrestling takedowns are primarily used to gain the dominant position. Like Judo, Jiu Jitsu can be used for self defense, sport grappling tournaments (gi and no-gi) and mixed martial arts (MMA) competitions. During training, applying techniques against a resisting opponent is emphasized, and sparring and live drilling play major roles in training.
Additional Reading:
An article on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu on Wikipedia
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Benefits of Training
As with any Marial Art, there are numerous benefits to practicing Judo or Jiu Jitsu. Martial Arts training helps to develop self-esteem, confidence, self-discipline, concentration, respect, and courtesy. In additiona to the mental and emotional benefits, the rigorous training of Judo and Jiu Jitsu develops strength, coordination, flexibility, endurance, balance, and all-around athleticism.
Martial Arts that focus on grappling provide a full-body workout that strengthens both the upper and lower body. Another advantage of Martial Arts training is that it is a life-long activity. Unlike many sports that are only played during one's youth, Judo and Jiu Jitsu can be practice throughout the participant's lifetime.
For children, the ability to progress at one's own rate is a definite benifit. While in some sports, the less skilled players might be "cut" from the team, this is not the case in Judo. It is accepted that everyone will progress at their own rate. Of course, those who practice regularly and study outside of class will advance more quickly; however, everyone can develop and grow in Judo just by "sticking with it".
One benefit of Martial Arts training that is usually not found in other physical activities is the self-defense aspect. Students learn numerous ways to defend themselves should the need ever arise. Furthermore, Martial Arts offer the student exposure to a foreign culture and a mentally stimulating workout. The constant focus on attack and defense, and the abundance of different ways to do both, result in a mentally challenging activity that easily avoids monotony or boredome.
Additional Reading:
An article on the benefits of Martial Arts training, by Yonah Wolf
An article on Fighting Spirit, by Isao Inokuma
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Self-Defense
Judo and Jiu Jitsu are both excellent martial arts for developing self-defense skills. Both styles develop skills through training attack and defense with both cooperative and resisting opponents. Through training methods that involve "live" sparring (randori) students develop proper reflexes and timing to use the techniques practices against fully uncooperative opponents.
Additional Reading:
An article on Judo: The Japanese art of Self Defense, by Jigoro Kano
An article on Judo for self-defense, by Kurt Seemann
An article on Judo for combat, by Thom Sakata
An article on Martial Arts vs. Martial Sports, by Neil Ohlenkamp
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Physical Fitness
Both Judo and Jiu Jitsu are by their very nature physically demanding activities. In fact, physical fitness has always been acknowledged to be one of the primary goals of practicing Judo. Nonetheless, it is not necessary to be in great physical condition when starting. Often times when people postpone beginning their martial arts training until they are "in shape", they never do begin. The best way to get in shape for Judo is to practice Judo. In the beginning, it is quite easy to regulate the intensity of your training until your body has had time to adapt. Within a short time, you will find that your conditioning has improved tremendously just practicing two or three times per week.
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Classes
A typical Judo or Jiu Jitsu class is composed of the following:
Warm-ups
Falling practice (ukemi)
Drills
Instruction
Sparring (randori)
The objective of both the Judo and Jiu Jitsu classes is to develop a solid foundation in grappling. Equal emphasis is placed on throwing techniques (Nage Waza) and ground fighting techniques (Ne Waza). Students begin with simple, basic techniques and build upon the skills they've learned as more advanced techniques are introduced. The focus in both children's and adult classes is long-term development.
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Techniques
Both Judo and Jiu Jitsu are grappling styles that focus on throwing/takedown techniques and fighting on the ground. The primary objective is to throw your opponent to the ground with force and control. On the ground, the objective is to control your opponent and apply submission techniques to end the fight. Submission methods include joint locking techniques (arm locks, wrist locks, leg locks, and ankle locks) and choking techniques.
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Ages
Judo and Jiu Jitsu are practiced around the world by people from under age 5 to over 80 years of age. In fact, it is not uncommon to see children as young as 2 or 3 in little Judo gis (uniforms) getting their first introduction to the art. Helio Gracie, one of the founders of the style of Jiu Jitsu that is practiced in our dojo, recently turned 95 years old. There are vidoes on the internet of Helio training while in his 90's.
An adult contemplating beginning Judo recently inquired if he was too old and received the following response from a long-time practitioner.
"Somehow the notion of a 26 year-old person thinking they are too old for Judo is a bit ludicrous -- to me anyway. Soon I will turn 73. I train at least twice a week. I still take falls, though not as many as I did when I was 50 or 60. Ahhhhhh, to be 50 again. At 26, 30, 36, or 46, start your training, keep training regularly, work on your stretching every day, eat right, do not smoke, donate your television set to some charity organization, and spend as much time exercising as you can. Discipline, hard work, regular exercise, along with good instruction will have its rewards. When you are in your mid-70's, you will also be able to continue to train in Judo, have fun with it, and make a contribution to the sport, even as it continues to make a contribution to your own physical and mental health."
--Richard Riehle
Classes are separated into children's and adult classes at Upper Valley Judo. As a general rule, students as young as six years old are welcome to begin Judo training. Occassionally, exceptions are made and younger students are permitted to join the class.
The transition from the children's or junior class to the adult class typically occurs when the student is in high school. The exact age will vary depending upon the size and maturity of the student.
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Competition
Students are encouraged to participate in local and regional competitions (shiai) to test their skills against other Judo and Jiu Jitsu students from other schools (dojo). Participating in tournaments can present many opportunities for personal growth and development. Students can become comfortable working with their regular training partners; however, competitions force one to face an opponent with unknown strengths and skills. They also force students to face the fear and anxiety associated with competing.
Additional Reading:
An article on the benefits of competing, by Todd Brehe
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