Bushido Notebook

I got a question the other day from one of the Academy's white belt students. He said that it seems like I am the only instructor that teaches throws and asked why I taught throws.  There are a lot of ways that I could answer the question, but the sake of time I just said that I teach the Academy curriculum first and that I also teach related judo throws from which the curriculum originated.  I went on to say that if they watched videos of Master Helio Gracie from several decades ago he is doing throws.  Judo throws.  He was listed at a 7th dan with the Kodokan and was even asked to teach there.  I have seen video of Royce Gracie competing in judo tournaments.  I have seen jiujitsu competitions with Royler Gracie doing judo takedowns.  So many people either don't know or refuse to admit that the Gracie style of jiujitsu has its origins in old school judo, which itself is a style or offshoot of Japanese jujitsu.  Japanese jujitsu didn't skip judo and suddenly become Graci

In martial arts it can take 2-3 years just learning how to use your own body.  You spend the next 2 years perfecting imposing your techniques on the opponent.  Jiujitsu takes it a step further....spending the next 5+  years learning how to make the opponent fall into your techniques instead of you imposing your techniques on him.  Striking martial arts, such as taekwondo, it takes around 4 years to earn a black belt legitimately.  Much of this time is learning how to use your own body to deliver techniques on an opponent.  Learning to kick someone in the face, for example.  Now imagine from that point learning how to trick your opponent into falling their face into your kick.  That's jiujitsu.  It isn't enough to put someone into a choke or armbar.  Anyone can do that with little training.  Jiujitsu in part is learning how to trick your opponent into falling directly into your technique, without you having to forcefully impose your will on them.  They fall right into your tech