Australian Jiu-jitsu, Judo and Chinese Boxing Federation of Instructors

Jiu-jitsu

Jiu-jitsu was the 'unarmed' martial art of the Japanese samurai. It was really the weapon of last resort, to be used if their sword was lost or broken. Jiu-jitsu therefore specializes in close range striking and grappling. The name Jiu-jitsu literally means 'gentle art'. It is a martial art whose central philosophy is the efficient and intelligent use of one's body. It is an excellent martial art for self defence because it relies on good technique and not strength to be effective.

There are many different schools, styles, or ryu, in Jiu-jitsu. Each ryu has its own specialty. The particular style that is taught in the Australian Federation of Instructors is called Tai-jitsu Ryu. According to oral tradition, Tai-jitsu Ryu was codified by a group of Chinese Buddhist nuns living in Japan in the 16th Century. It is a very comprehensive style, encompassing many techniques. It includes punches, kicks, throws, strangles, joint locks, use of pressure points and ground-fighting. The emphasis is on the close range. This makes it an excellent martial art for developing self defence skills.

Every Jiu-jitsu class begins with a warm up consisting of break-falling exercises. This is where you learn and practise how to fall. The exercises start from very easy and gradually build up. A typical Jiu-jitsu class might then spend some time practising throws and/or restraint and control techniques. The class then usually moves on and these techniques are put into the context of self defence situations. Towards the end of the class, ground fighting skills are practised and there is usually an opportunity for groundwork randori (free exercise). The class ends with a cool down consisting of rolls.

Within this framework, Jiu-jitsu classes are incredibly diverse and dynamic. Classes are varied from week to week, with some repetition to develop basic skills, but with advanced techniques from Aiki-jiu-jitsu or Judo-do and other arts often mixed in so the student always has something new to think about.