Judo

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For those considering martial arts, Judo is a very good place to start, and it can last you a lifetime. Be careful about choosing a school or club, it should be oriented to "hard" as opposed to competitive judo and if you show the instructor this list and he seems confused, leave and look elsewhere.



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Kime-no-Kata
Kodokan Goshinjutsu
Joshi-Goshinho
Go-no-Kata
Ju-no-Kata
Kime-Shiki
Renkoho

SEVEN Kata of Kodokan Judo dealing with self-protection for both men and women as well as arresting and control methods. Enough material to keep one occupied for at least a "bit". And this doesn't include the study and research into other obscure "kata" and methods used in Kodokan Judo over the years.

"Kata" is REPRESENTATIVE. Koshiki-no-Kata is "representative" of Kitoryu waza. Kime-no-Kata of Tenjin-Shinyo-ryu(which is NOT "Aiki" like at ALL). Nage-no-Kata is representative of the complete Nage-Waza syllabus contained in Judo. So it is with the "self-defense" methods. Self-PROTECTION from a Japanese Budo/Bujutsu perspective covers THREE possible scenarios: Go-no-Sen, Sen, Sen-sen-no-Sen. Defensive, Mutual, Pre-emptive.

This progression of waza holds true in the "kanzen" or complete syllabus, though perhaps only ONE "level" is represented in the formal "Kata".

Atemiwaza is a complete study unto itself (it is NOT based on Okinawan forms of te). However bear in mind that as a COMPLETE fighting art, Judo/Jujutsu atemi MUST seamlessly "fit" into use with any WAZA, shime-nage-kansetsu or osae. Judo self-defense is NOT simply gyakuzuki, maegeri, then throw with seoi-nage and finish with a kansetsu-waza. It's NOT karate-waza mixed with "sport" judo. Just as REAL Aiki-jujutsu is NOT simply "hard" karate mixed with Aikido!

This just scratches the surface.

One last point- A major part of study concerning the self-defense aspect of Judo is in training the "banned" waza.

Judo should be a lifelong sustainable practice and study. NOT just confined to one's youthful "competitive" years.

Can a fat, flabby, middle-aged woman take up Judo? I'm serious. Don't you have to be fit to start with, or at least not shaped like a beachball?

A start is just what it says, a start...so, the answer is yes. Again, it is important to choose your school or club carefully. Talk about your fitness concerns with the head instructor, and go slow, but go steady.