Your first session.
Taking the first step in your martial arts journey is never easy and we congratulate you for coming this far.
What will happen:
Pre-Session
When you arrive, you will be greeted by the receptionist of ActivateFit; inform them that you are here to train with Japanese Ju-Jitsu and ask them for direction to the changing and training room. We train in the Group Zone – Level 1, which is up the stairs and to the right from the centre of the gym.
Any loose clothes will do for your first session. Please also bring a bottle of water (water fountains are available in the gym but not inside the dojo).
If you are early, you will be greeted by one of our instructors, most likely our lead instructor Sensei Franck, or senior grades setting up the mats. Our uniform is a white gi (they look a bit like pyjamas); this set-up period is a great time to meet fellow students.
We aim to set up the mats from 18:20 to 18:30 to start at 18:30 sharp.
During the Session
We start with a 15 minute warm-up, often with running, push-ups, sit-ups, squats and partner games, to get your muscles and joints ready to train. We demonstrate all exercises so you know what to expect.
You will then be introduced to break-falling, which are techniques used to stay safe when falling or being thrown. Current students will demonstrate their break-falling kata, and you will have the opportunity to watch them before one of the instructors or assistants will teach newcomers and novices the basics. Do not worry, we begin from a squatting position or kneeling height -we will not throw you just yet!
You will then join the rest of the class to learn new techniques. Our techniques focus on throws, arm locks, and releases from a grab. The instructor will demonstrate the technique at a regular speed, before breaking the technique down and explaining the movements behind it. Then, you will have the opportunity to try it yourself! We usually don’t use throws on newcomers, unless if you feel especially confident.
We mostly train with a partner or in groups so you will work with senior students or newcomers. We take turns testing them on a partner, then having your partner perform them on you. Training partners are swapped regularly during the session so just grab a jitsuka (Jitsu student) and get training! It is a great opportunity to get some tips and tricks from the most senior students or learn together with another novice.
Feel free to ask questions or get help by calling out ‘Sensei!’ (the official title for our instructors). The instructor is always present and involved with practice, and are there to offer help if you get stuck with any difficulties. Safety is always our first concern so if you feel uncomfortable or unsafe with a technique, flag the Sensei down and let him or your partner know.
We usually round off the session with some pressure exercises or self-defence scenarios, attempted with each person’s skills and pace kept in mind. This is an opportunity to show what you have learnt during the session! The scenarios will most likely include facing off against several opponents (one-by-one!) grabbing your wrists or striking at you; you must defending yourself, with the techniques you have learnt or know already.
Finally, we have a cool down period with emphasis on slow methodical stretching to conclude the session.
Post-Session
After changing and packing away the mats, we often go to a local pub for some (soft) drinks, which gives you the opportunity to chat, ask questions and (if you haven’t already) get to know us!
After one month.
If you stick with training twice a week for just one month, you will be comfortable with most kneeling break-falls (break-falling starting from a kneeling position) and will be building on that experience with standing break-falling techniques. In your journey towards these goals, you will notice an improvement in your fitness, flexibility, strength and co-ordination.
You will develop confidence in moving strategically and performing some of the basic throws and wrist locks.
After three months.
After three months of training twice a week, you will be comfortable performing many standing break-falls. You will even feel safe whilst being thrown by many opponents, even the bigger ones, as your body understands and adapts to the falling.
You will be proficient in a few basic techniques, for example, three defences against grabs by using three different wrist-locks, five defences against straight punches using arm-locks, and four different throws. You will also learn how to defend against attacks with an armed opponent; for training purposes, these are bottles or sticks, and eventually, against knives. Your striking, both kicking and punching, will also be stronger and more efficient.
At this point you will be preparing towards your first grading to achieve a yellow belt; the first physical recognition and reward from your progress in your jiu-jitsu journey.