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What is Judo? Judo is a relatively modern combat sport with roots in traditional Japanese martial arts. In the 1880s, after about 5 years of learning the ancient martial art Jiu Jitsu, 22-year-old Jigoro Kano began devising new techniques and accepting students to learn a method he would call Jiu Do, later simplified as Judo. Although the name Judo translates from the Japanese language as “the gentle (or easy) way,” it’s important to understand the full meaning to appreciate the power of Dr. Kano’s concepts and methods. In this context “jiu” refers to a conscious, intelligent application of indirect force to defeat the opponent. A Judoka (Judo practitioner) does not force the opponent into submission through aggressive, brute actions. Instead through rigorous training, a Judoka masters the ability to sense and control the opponent’s energetic force. We often speak of this as using the opponent’s own strength against him or using “maximum efficiency.” Our perfect ideal is Dr Kano himself, a man of small stature who easily defeated opponents much larger than he. Judo and Jiujitsu share this basis, but unlike martial arts that have lethal aims, Dr. Kano deliberately developed judo as a philosophy of self-improvement in which we as practitioner seeks to improve ourselves physically, mentally, emotionally and morally.
What does a Judoka learn? The study of Judo begins with extremely important techniques for maintaining balance and for falling without injury. Judo practice sessions starts with a routine of aerobic, gymnastic, flexibility and calisthenic Judo exercises to train both body and brain to maintain equilibrium and increase strength. Next comes training in falling without injury, or “breaking” your fall. Since you are learning to maintain balance, you might wonder why you need to learn how to fall! For Judo, falling is not necessarily about losing your balance or losing control. Sometimes you must“take” a fall in order to continue your bout in competition. If you take the fall properly without injury, you can continue to fight your opponent and win. Once you’ve learned the basic safety skills you’ll begin learning a series of Throws (Tachiwaza). These dramatic techniques are the heart of Judo and its most recognized aspect. Throwing techniques are ways of lifting or sweeping your opponent off his feet by applying leverage and a little psychology. You’ll also learn to counter your opponent’s attempts to throw you. The other major area of technique is called “Newaza” or ground techniques. Here the emphasis is grappling, “locking “ the limbs, choking and strangling to bring the opponent into submission.
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