Introduction
Judo - Just Wrestling In Pyjamas?!
Judo is most generally thought of as a combat sport consisting of throws, holds, arm locks and strangles, some would say a kind of wrestling in pyjamas! This may well be true for often what we see are strong bulls locking horns on the mat, seeking to overpower each other, but such is not Judo as Prof Kano intended it.
Judo means different things to people. Some see Judo as a way of life (see Kyushindo), while others see it as an art form, a form of exercise, a system of self defence or a hobby. To others it is a demanding competitive sport.
It is because Judo is so diverse that it appeals to such a variety of people of all ages and both sexes. People who practice Judo (Judoka) will tell you how Judo has helped them with such things as self confidence, co-ordination, heart problems, back problems, self control and general fitness. It is a good way of socialising and making friends with folk of common interests. Some parents see shy children blossoming and previously hyperactive or downright naughty children subdued, or tamed, by doing Judo. Judo changes people for the better, both physically and mentally, producing in time good citizens.
The reason for these effects is that Judo has as its maxim, "Maximum Efficiency and Mutual Welfare" (literally 'you and I shining together'). It seeks to achieve this high ideal by means of the 'Gentle Principle' (Ju-do) This Ju-Do is what enables a much smaller person to defeat a larger opponent. Ju-Do is the ability to defeat your opponent by giving way, not by surrender, but rather by turning his or her energy and aggression against them. In effect the antagonist defeats himself when he attacks the pliable Judoka.
The big man, the hard man, the strong man may fight and win many battles by his brute strength, but one day he will meet a person skilled in the art of Ju-Do and the ground will rise to meet him, swiftly and decisively!
The Ju-Do, the Gentle Principle, should be clearly visible in whatever type or style of Judo is being practiced, whether that be modern competitive Judo or the more traditional styles. If the gentle principle is absent or the motive is not that of maximum efficiency and mutual welfare then it is not Judo but perhaps it is more correctly simply wrestling in pyjamas!
Kata
Judo not only employs the use of throws, holds, locks and strangles in sporting combat and self defence but it also employs the use of Kata. These are formal demonstrations of various throws and techniques which serve to both teach and preserve ancient skills for generations to come. This aspect of Judo has sadly been overlooked by many for a number of years but is now having something of a revival in some circles.
Judo For Self Defence
Judo is a very useful means of self defence. This should be no suprise, after all, Judo was borne of a desire to discover the underlying principles of the many ancient fighting arts. Many Judoka have discovered that their Judo skills can be used very effectively in a self defence situation. Come and try Belfast Kyushindo Combat Judo. View our Combat Judo syllabus on our syllabus page.