Our Blog
An ongoing series of informational entries
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Movement is Important
March 15, 2020
The human body was designed to move.
Sedentary lifestyles are not conducive to good health. However, for many of us, modern society has moved toward more jobs that require more brain-function than muscular engagement, this creates or encourages lifestyles that are out-of-balance.
Overuse of the brain is just as problematic as overuse of the body.
In our bodies, one of the most common effects we see is weight gain, which in turn may exacerbate or be a direct cause for other physical ailments.
The mind, is what suffers the most.
When we do not feel good, we have been taught to "work through the pain"; however, "working through the pain" takes one from the immediate circumstance of "managing the pain" and places them with others, who may be unaware of the pain. Consequently, when something that would normally be a "minor slight" occurs between them, we often see knee-jerk reactions simply because we are not encouraged to care for ourselves properly. Therefore, we are consistently out-of-balance.
In order to work our way back to a place of being better able to manage and maintain balance in our lives, we must begin to move to reestablish the connections between our body and mind.
Our Second Blog Entry
December 23, 2023
It has been some time since the last entry. Many things have happened. A patent was issued for the proximity training device known as Judo Jaime; the Training Uke. The training dummies and fundamental directional mats are getting great feedback from our beginning adult students and as an Instructor of Judo for over 15 years I have noticed a significant improvement in the students being able to integrate the fundamentals that are required to practice Judo safely. I have seen a reduction in injuries and a greater retention of students as well. I look forward to the next stages and finding a new home for our club. Ultimately, I look forward to the possibilities that the future holds. See you on the mat!
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BLOG #3 Obstacles in Growing Judo
Obstacles in Growing Judo One Judoka’s Perspective
I would like to talk about some issues which I believe may be at play in preventing sustainable growth for participation in the activity of Judo. I will address the following points:
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Lack of knowledge regarding what Judo is and why it is one of the better activities to engage in for people of all ages.
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Judo is heavily promoted as a martial art itself—Judo is a physical fitness system derived from a basis in the unarmed combat systems of which include some martial arts. Included in Judo activity are methods for learning to fall and roll safely, techniques for throwing, techniques for grappling including hold-downs, chokes and armbars. The fitness system of Judo also promotes striking methods which are not generally practiced in a dojo that focuses on sporting applications. This relates to what you practice in the dojo is what will come out in competition.
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Judo is heavily promoted as a competitive sport. Many dojos lean heavily on this and many students who might enjoy Judo for a long period of time are “turned off” by the toxic attitudes that can (even if intended only as a “pretend” intensity for motivation) permeate the practice sessions at a dojo. Judo is inherently dangerous. If not given the respect due it would be very easy for injury to occur. Cliques have taken over Judo which is anti-judo as cliques do not embrace the principal of mutual benefit and welfare.
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Judo is difficult at best to understand as a spectator. In order to draw in and create fan base loyalty, individual competitions should be scored differently, team competitions should be promoted. Each match is currently 5 minutes for black belts. Much of that time is spent watching Judoka dancing around without any meaningful attempts to score. As a sport that requires the individual to be both offensive and defensive in their actions, at the same time, the players should have incentive to engage in more “positive” Judo attacks. Offensive scores when made should be twice the value of a score granted for a defensive response. Generally, Judo is a defensive activity; however, in order to make a game of it while maintaining the “boundaries of safety” there must be an offensive component to invite a response from the other participant.