For information on the History and About Ju Jitsu in general Click Here.
Jikishin Ju Jitsu is a modern style, based on Self Defence. This means that although some of the Japanese traditions have been kept, the majority of the style is up to date and deals with the situations you are likely to find today. Unlike many Ju Jitsu systems, Jikishin use entirely English descriptions of the techniques used - we feel that our students come to learn to defend themselves, not to learn parts of a foreign language.
I Am An Absolute Beginner And Have No Martial Arts Training At All, Can I Still Come Along?
We cater for absolute beginners, although the class is very much a case of all grades training together. We will start you training with another student, or with a friend or partner if you come along as a pair. The majority of the Black Belts who train at Harlow & Ongar Jikishin Ju Jitsu Clubs, started at the club as complete novices - so you'll be in good company with Instructors who remember what it feels like to turn up at a training session for the first time.
Age is not an issue with beginning, and continuing Ju Jitsu. We start children at 5 years old, and our oldest person grading was 72 years old when he took his 2nd Dan.
What Happens When I Turn Up For The First Time?
Firstly we get changed and ready to train.
Then we will teach you the basic Breakfalls, Exercises, the start of the White Belt Syllabus. You will be introduced to the Instructors at the Club, registered (you will have to fill in a Jikishin Ju Jitsu Association Membership Form), and the training regime will be explained, Dojo Etiquette is explained and demonstrated.
You will line up for the formal start of the class with all the other students.
Will I get Thrown Around On My First Session?
These is a lot of throwing in Ju Jitsu, but you will not start getting thrown until you have practiced Breakfalls and are competent our opinion.
If I Come Along With A Friend, Will We Be Able To Train Together?
Yes, in fact we encourage beginners who start as a pair to work together and as most of the lesson is taken up with partner work, this usually works out fine.
Most students start training this way, we will introduce you to a training partner, of a similar grade (or if you are lucky, one of the Black Belts may take you under their wing), You will then train with your partner throughout the rest of the session.
For the first session you will need to wear a pair of Track Suit Bottoms and a long sleeved T-shirt - we train in bare feet, so no footwear is required. Any Jewellery will need to be removed, or in the case of a ring which cannot be taken off, covered with a sticking plaster.
Lessons at Harlow & Ongar Jikishin Ju Jitsu Clubs cost £ 8.00 per lesson for Seniors and £ 4.00 for children - there is a concessionary adult training fee of £ 5.50 for students, the disabled and the unemployed. In addition to this there is the Association Membership Fee around £ 30.00 per annum, which has to be paid within the first 4 weeks of training. Other costs you are likely to incur are a Gi (training uniform) this will cost about £ 30.00, Gradings (average 2 per year) approximately £ 20.00, including a new belt.
Full Details of costs click here
Because Jikishin Ju Jitsu is widely practiced, there are clubs training on every day of the week, so you can tailor your training regime to suit yourself. As long as you come along to the club to which you belong, once per week, you may train (with the permission of your instructor) at any other Jikishin Club you wish. See the main Jikishin Site for a list of clubs.
What Are The Training Times For Harlow & Ongar Jikishin Ju Jitsu Clubs?
| Juniors | 7:15 pm to 8:15 pm | Harlow: Tuesdays - Ongar: Fridays |
| Adults | 8:15 pm to 10:00 pm | Harlow: Tuesdays - Ongar: Friday |
Do I Need To Join The Sport / Leisure Centre Where You Train?
At Harlow, you either have to join the Sport Centre, or pay an entry fee. The first 4 weeks are free, however.
At Ongar there is no need to join, neither is there any entry fee.
I Am 16 Years Old, Will I Train As An Adult Or As A Junior?
This will depend upon your size, maturity and ability - this will decided by us on your first attendance. In general, the rule is that at 16 years old, a student is "officially" classed as an adult, however, we have a number of students who have transferred to the adult training sessions early (at 15) and others who have remained in the junior ranks until 17 or 18. This is particularly the case with juniors training with a partner who is older / younger. We judge on a case by case basis. You will not be pushed beyond your abilities.
I Am Not Very Fit - How Will I Cope?
Training is adjusted to the individual, so we ask you to do only what you are capable of, and no more. However, through the warm-up, and training, your fitness level will rise to a degree where you should be in a position to complete the warm-up after 6 weeks to 3 months.
Will Ju Jitsu Make A Difference To My Self Confidence?
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.
In general, Ju Jitsu is very safe. There are occasional injuries, and these tend to be minor in severity. Like any combat sport, or indeed almost all sports, there is an inherent risk. Jikishin Instructors are trained to avoid injury, are all First Aid trained, and are familiar with Sports Injuries. The risk is generally low, as training sessions are carefully controlled and instructors are aware, and point out, where the risk of injury is higher.
What About Competitions - Do I Have To Compete?
Competition is not compulsory, but does give you the opportunity to assess your skills against others of a similar grade. Competing is purely optional, and at Harlow & Ongar Ju Jitsu Clubs we encourage those who wish to compete, and assist with training regimes, strategies, and practice for success in competition. We specialise in Groundwork, Sparring, Random Attacks and Kata.
Do I Have To Join The Jikishin Ju Jitsu Association?
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. There is a form to fill in, and once the initial membership fee is paid (click here for costs), the membership process is complete.
Click here for application form
İHarlow & Ongar Jikishin Ju Jitsu Clubs 2002/2007