The problem here is that there is not hard and fast definition of jujitsu. Hundreds of different schools teach it, each with their own syllabus and style. Our name is chosen for distinctness.

Ju-Jitsu (sometimes spelled "Jujutsu" or "Jiu-Jitsu") means "gentle art." It was the unarmed combat art of Japan's famous samurai warriors, and provides the foundation for Bansenshukai Ninjutsu training. Ju-Jitsu involves the use of striking, grappling, joint locks, throws, chokes, and ground fighting. One of Japan's oldest martial arts, Ju-Jitsu found it's way to the west in the early 20th century, and has since evolved into many different styles and philosophies.

This is up to you - for most students the simple answer is yes it will. However, each individual is different, and training and learning to defend yourself is a great way to improve your self confidence. You will feel that you are in control and can face most situations. Self confidence is based on your own "view" of yourself, so if you feel confident when training, this will have a natural spill over into your normal life.

Ju Jitsu is fun, and you will be learning new skills, this is a benefit in itself. If you are unfit, Ju Jitsu will help you to address this, and increase your personal safety and self confidence.

Not in this Dojo. Sport Martial Arts require many rules for safety. These rules must remove the most effective self-defense techniques from competition. Those who get used to practicing for sport competition instinctively will try to use these sporting techniques in a real self-defense situation. We have found that, in virtually every situation we have researched, you use what you have practiced the most to try to defend yourself.

It is not advised to buy a gi (this is how the uniform is called) immediately. Wait a month and see if you are enjoying yourself and then invest in the official gi from your club.

There are as many answers to this question as there are people ready to answer it! However, most would agree that it is very old (some say as old as 2500 B.C.) and that it probably originated in India and came to Japan via China, although there is some evidence that it was an entirely Japanese creation to which "foreign" techniques were added.

Yes, almost! It is not suitable for the elderly or the very young, but most people are capable of learning the basic moves. You don't have to be super-fit (although it helps, as in any physical activity) and average strength and co-ordination are usually sufficient. Ju Jitsu relies more on leverage and given pain to produce defence, rather than strength or bodyweight.

All students have to join the Jikishin Ju Jitsu Association, and this confers membership of the British Ju Jitsu Association (Governing Body) (although there is no individual membership of the BJJA (GB), membership is through the Associations only). There is an annual fee which includes all fees paid to the BJJA (GB) and Club and Association Membership are also included. There is a limited Insurance Scheme which is also provided - See Terms and Conditions on Insurance Certificate.

In 2005 the International Olympic Committee (IOC) adopted the World Games as the "Third Leg" of the Olympics. The other two "Legs" being the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. The JJIF conducted Ju-Jitsu Competition in the World Games in 1997 and will again conduct Ju-Jitsu Competition in the World Games in Japan in 2001. Although it is difficult to predict when Ju-Jitsu will be a Full Olympic Sport, Ju-Jitsu has already become a Member of the Olympic Family.

No, not under the British Ju Jitsu Association (Governing Body). In order to teach, a Black Belt has to undergo a number of hurdles. The welfare and safety of our students, particularly the young and the vulnerable is of paramount importance to us. All BJJA (GB) Coaches are required to have gained experience in coaching, and the following are compulsory: The BJJA (GB) also have a Child Protection Policy in place which all instructors are obliged to abide by.

Jikishin was started by Janet & Terry Parker in 1990, to promote Ju Jitsu on a worldwide scale. Jikishin, through the BJJA (GB), is a member of Ju Jitsu International Federation (JJIF), and is associated with the United Nations of Ju Jitsu. Yes, under the BJJA (GB), JJIF & UNJJ, Sport England, Jikishin Dan Grades are recognised worldwide.

Over the years, many attempts have been made to introduce some form of competition to Ju Jitsu, with little valid success. If you wish to have a "safe" sport, certain dangerous techniques have to be banned. Ju Jitsu is composed almost entirely of such techniques which are unsuitable for use in the highly charged atmosphere of competitive combat sport.

No. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. The Gracie family is the Brazilian family responsible for the creation of the Martial Art named Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. The late Carlos Gracie Sr. learned Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and opened the first Gracie Academy. His younger brother Hélio Gracie adapted those ancient Asian techniques, creating what is known as Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

Answer: Yes, the USJJF (as the USA National Federation of the JJIF) does have an established Ju-Jitsu Rank System with Technical and Leadership Requirements from White Belt thru 10th Degree Black Belt. The USJJF National Ju-Jitsu System is referred to as "US Ju-Jitsu". Currently, the Rank Requirements are being updated to include techniques which have been added to the International Ju-Jitsu Rank Requirements of the JJIF.

These terms are virtually synonomous. They all originated from the Gracie Family system in Brazil, dating back to about 1925. Each modern school of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu however, takes a slightly different approach to this remarkable martial art.

The techniques that are found in jitsu are some of the earliest in martial arts, and some have been traced back as far as 400 BC. The first recognised ju-jitsu ryu (school), however, was established in the mid-1500s by Takenouchi Hisamori, and consisted of techniques using the sword, jo, and dagger as well as unarmed techniques. During this period, there was a trend toward emphasising weaponless techniques, and these methods were derived from over 700 styles of ju-jitsu in existence at the time.

The Jitsu Foundation was formed in 1990 from the National Samurai JuJitsu Association. The reorganised Foundation was composed of three arms:

All sessions begin with a warm up. This will start with general exercises and then move on to stretching with particular attention paid to body parts and movements that are important to what you will be learning. There will then be a very brief ceremony to mark the start of the lesson. To do this, the students will line up in grade order and they and the instructors will formally greet each other. Any new people are introduced and welcomed.

Jiu-Jitsu translate to 'gentle art.' In no way is this art gentle on the person who might try to harm us or our loved ones (though it can be, if we choose it to be). It is very gentle on the person defending from an attack. This means no matter your size, strength, or build, you will be able to defend yourself. You can ask any of our students what 'Jiu Jitsu' means, and you will get a different answer from each. But, 'gentle art' is the technically correct translation.

These are all Filipino martial arts with similar footwork, stick and knife work, ideas of flow, etc. Basically the differences are minor, more dependent on the teacher than anything else. For instance, Professor Presas used 12 striking angles, his brother Ernesto uses 14. Escrido and V-jitsu are systems combining arnis/kali/escrima with jujitsu.

Brazilian Jiu-jitsu offers more ground grappling techniques than the traditional Jujutsu styles from Japan, specializing in submissions and strikes while on the ground. The original art from Japan is more of a basic, self-defense style with primarily standing techniques.

A JuJu is a blessed object that is said to keep evil and negativity at bay. Ju Ju also refers to the supernatural power ascribed to such an object. A lucky Ju-Ju object can be used to protect the home, car, office, or anywhere you want to keep evil and negativity away.