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What is Jiu Jitsu?
Aiuchi Jiu Jitsu
There's no way you'll really know what Aiuchi Jiu Jitsu is all about unless you find one of our clubs and try it for yourself, but this web site will give you some insight into what we believe jiu jitsu is all about. It will also tell you something about the people who teach Aiuchi Jiu Jitsu and what makes us different from other styles and other martial arts. As we develop this site we will tell you more about the principles and philosophy of our style. Hopefully you'll get a feel for the way we train and how we teach and you'll be encouraged to find one of our clubs and have a go.

One thing you will find in all our clubs is that there is a warm and friendly welcome for anyone who wants to learn our style of jiu jitsu. Our training is always geared to make the beginner feel at home and to help them learn in a way that best suits them. People learn best when they are relaxed and engaged in what they are doing, so our sessions are geared to be enjoyable.

As Walt Disney said:
"I prefer to entertain people in the hope that they learn, rather than teach people in the hope that they are entertained."

We also believe in pushing the boundaries people set on their own achievement, so expect to work too. Our style of jiu jitsu is a practical form of self defence, enjoyable, but challenging. Safe but very effective and suitable for anyone who is prepared to work with us to get the best out of it.

There are more styles of martial arts than there are religions and pretty much all of them have something to offer, but the quality of the instructor is all important. We believe in the quality and integrity of our instructors, and the quality of the art we teach. Come along and try our style or if there isn't a club near you drop us a line and we'll try to recommend a good instructor in a different style or even a different art.

What is Jiu Jitsu?
Jiu jitsu is a physical and mental discipline that provides effective self defence and self development. It is a traditional Japanese martial art that has been tried and tested over many hundreds of years, with a wide variety of techniques which rely on the principles of softness, compliance and flexibility. Today it is found in many self-defence and restraint techniques used by police and armed forces the world over, and is the basis of the physical skills taught in most self-defence courses. It takes a rational approach to the way the body works and how to make the best use of your size and strength when dealing with an attacker.

Jiu jitsu means literally the 'Gentle Art', as it relies on the application of technique rather than strength. In the same way that a willow tree bends with the wind, so too should a practitioner of jiu jitsu adapt to the force of the attack and turn it to his or her advantage. Jiu jitsu consists of a wide range of techniques which include joint locks, throws, immobilisations and strikes to nerve points and vulnerable parts. Practice of jiu jitsu encourages awareness, confidence and adaptability to circumstances. These are crucial elements in personal safety.

Aiuchi Jiu Jitsu
Aiuchi Jiu Jitsu encourages people to make the most of their physical and mental attributes. We all have different inate characteristics and abilities. There is always someone bigger, stronger, faster, fitter than us, but Aiuchi encourages each individual to make the most of their strengths and overcome their weaknesses. It is not about producing fighters, rather it is about building confidence and helping jitsuka to be as good as they can be.

Aiuchi can be translated literally as "Inner Harmony". This means that it is the combination of body, technique, and mind that is essential to the successful performance of the art. Whilst it is an advantage to have a fit and healthy body, physical strength is of little importance in the mastery of jiu jitsu. Aiuchi doesn't just teach techniques which can be applied against an attacker, but also how your body's movement can be used to give power to those techniques. In Aiuchi Jiu Jitsu speed and power do not arise from physical strength, but are generated by your body's own natural movement, combined with a relaxed attitude and a focused mind.

Although there are many techniques to learn and mastery takes time, there is much which can be learned simply and used quickly if the need arises. The purpose of Aiuchi Jiu Jitsu is to give greater confidence to the user, and to stimulate mental and physical development.

Training takes place in a controlled and friendly environment. Students train on soft foam mats, and safe imitation weapons are used. Safety is always important, and students are encouraged to train with care and control, and with respect for training partners. Training should always be taken seriously as in any physical art, but it should also be fun. We learn better if we are relaxed and enjoying ourselves, so our instructors aim to get a good balance between serious training and serious fun. Training should be enjoyable, stimulating, and also very rewarding.