Fudoshin Ju-Jitsu Dojos

How many times have you heard the expression... “By example we lead” It just goes to show that just because a Martial Arts Club, prides itself on the back of words such as Honour, Respect & Integrity and are quite happy to throw those words around like confetti, doesn’t mean that they actually abide by their own code of ethics. I have just returned from a well known and very respected local private school’s summer fair where, along with myself, my family (Sian, my wife, Bethany & Heather, my daughters) were also invited to attend, just as we have done for the past few years. Only this time the Ju-jitsu club which currently teaches at the school were putting on a children’s demo for their parents to watch and I must say it was a great demo, all the kids performed well and some the club’s senior students were there as well, all directed by a Senior Instructor Renshi...I know this instructor and most of the students as I myself, was once a student of this particular club and an...

What have I been doing since my last blog hear you ask, well following my 2nd knee operation in as many years I have been training..."ARMY TRAINING SIR!" Sempai Peter suggested we enter a team into the Paras 10 Endurance Race, a 10 mile race carrying a 35lb military bergen (thats 2 1/2 stone) across the army training ground in Catterick Garrsion, North Yorkshire.  Getting a team together would be easy, there'll be plenty of volunteers in the club but I wanted to get in touch with an old associate of mine as I knew this event would be close to his heart, Gary an ex-military man himself and my old training partner and colleague from our CP days. Tony jumped on board straight away and Sempai Eugene was already in training in Okinawa, Japan.....Thats was it, we had our four man team and 1 reserve perfect. So training began, first off I needed to get back into running so myself and Sempai Peter started once a week with our old favourite six miler around Borehamwood, ...

Well  it would seem that the bolt has successfully been removed from my knee and it's now time for the stitches come out. The plan is to get back into the gym and back on the mat ASAP and kick off some much needed cardio work, I have a basic program that produced great results last year... Weights... Not too heavy and just a good all round program incorporating Arms & Shoulders, Chest & Back, Legs. Cardio... a) Hit the treadmill running, starting at 20 minutes and building up to 40 minutes, either a long run on a high incline or a shorter run including interval sprinting. b) The rowing machine, hard & fast for 20 minutes (I pick the rower that faces the window over looking outside) c) The stepper, 10 - 15 minutes on the hardest level but still at a fair pace. PLUS (When suitably fitter) 1 x Mid week six miler with Sempai Peter.  (Best Time 56.17) AND 1 x Sunday morning four mile circuit at a fast pace ar...

After leaving training for a nearly a year after my knee operation 20th April 2008) I gradually started training back in late (Oct) 2008 with a gentle regime, I started with gym work initially, some cycling, rowing and cross trainer and some light weights. After Sempai Eugene confirmed a date for his Shodan-Ho grading it was time to step up my training, so the gym work was upped from twice a week to tree times a week and I was running in Cassiobury Park Wednesdays & Sundays. I was also back on the mat basic throws & fitness testing with everyone on the mat. After Sempai Eugene's grading (15th Feb 2009) I continued with my training but I replaced the four mile run around Cassiobury with a six mile run around Borehamwood & Radlett with Sempai Peter (O.M.G. Shenly Hill, a new breed of widowmaker...what a killer) The cold winter air was impeading my breathing as it had an immediate impact with my Asthma but I could feel a gradual improvement. As the months progressed ...

Fudoshin Ju - Jitsu Dojos was created during a certain unpleasant time in my life during mid 2008. Here goes then, make yourself a cup of tea and get comfortable... After studying Martial Arts for most of my life, you know the usual, Judo when I was a kid, I'm brittle asthmatic and my parents thought that this might help???? you tell me. This was followed by a short spate in Karate (sorry all you Karate practitioners) but I just couldn't cope with the Katas . In my late teens I also tried my hand (and feet) at Savate , French style kickboxing...but I was absolutely rubbish at it so that was swiftly brushed under the carpet. I finally found something special when I moved to Gloucestershire in my early twenties. I found Ninjitsu (non believers may scoff) but those that know will understand, I was hooked and for a good couple of years would train with my work colleague Clive. We worked together at the Locksmiths in Gloucester town centre and we would make our way to the...