What is Judo?
Judo is a martial art stemming from Japanese Jiu Jitsu, an art form developed to be a self-defense tactic for the samurai and feudal warrior classes
It is often referred to as the “way of gentleness” because techniques do not include any form of kicking, punching, or striking or weapons of any kind
An important principle of Judo is kuzushi, which emphasizes breaking an opponent’s balance; this is seen as a more effective and efficient way of defeating an opponent instead of just using brute strength
Judo is about having a firm grip on an opponent, applying the forces of balance, power, and movement to subdue them on the floor with a throw, trip, or lift
What are the Benefits of Judo?
Improve Self-Defense Skills:
Judo is ideal for self-defense because it teaches you how to be comfortable maneuvering against an opponent by leveraging the other person’s weight, strength, and balance against them
It eliminates the need to defend yourself with a weapon, which is not always readily available in real-life situations
Develop Better Fitness, Health, & Wellness:
Judo is a great way to build physical fitness- strength, flexibility, agility, speed, balance, power, and endurance
Practicing both active attacks and defense techniques helps develop faster reaction times, coordination, and self-confidence
Since Judo incorporates the traditional philosophies of martial arts, practitioners also learn how to control their feelings, emotions, and impulses while learning the values of perseverance, respect, and discipline
Judo helps instill modesty and fairness while also teaching you how to overcome fears and show courage under pressure