Judo Study Group

Judo is both a martial art and an Olympic sport. The complete art employs throwing, grappling, joint locking and strangling skills. Self-defense applications of the techniques, along with some strikes and blocks, are included at advanced levels. The spiritual discipline aspect of the original judo is generally lacking in the sport version, although few martial arts can compare with either way of practicing judo for teaching a balanced skillset and for sheer physical exercise.

Our judo class trains as an authorized study group under the direction of Nicklaus Suino Sensei, 7th-Dan, Director of the Japanese Martial Arts Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. As we work together to achieve rank our primary goal is to bring into central Pennsylvania the JMAC approach to this dynamic martial art.

Judo was created in the late 19th century by Professor Kano Jigoro, who combined the best techniques from several styles of jujutsu (drawing primarily from Tenshin Shinyo Ryu, Kito Ryu, and Yoshin Ryu, among others) and from sumo wrestling. He developed a martial art that was founded upon the idea of efficient use of physical energy, cooperation for mutual benefit, and character development through training the body and mind. The art became popular in Japan, then spread around the world, and is widely practiced today. Judo is a living art, constantly evolving as new competitors try to gain an edge over their opponents, but the foundations of the art remain vital to a proper understanding of judo.

Our study group concentrates on the martial art aspects of judo, rather than on the sporting aspects, which means that Suino Sensei expects our members to learn the correct, classical ways of performing techniques, and must understand the principles on which the techniques are based. Sensei emphasizes cooperation in practice in order to facilitate learning, but encourages our members to take part in matches as a means of measuring progress. An important characteristic that we try to develop in all members of Itten Dojo is a deep respect for challenging training and the rewards that dedicated effort brings. Students who develop this attitude find that they can apply it in their everyday lives, as well as in the dojo.