Come and join anytime, your first two sessions are free! Walk-ins are always welcome.
Things you may want to know
Showing up to a martial arts class for the first time can seem daunting. But it doesn’t need to be. Here’s a quick overview of things to know that may help make your experience fun and enjoyable.
I am a complete beginner...
What should I bring?
Clothes for training and a towel for post-session showering is all you need. For the first few training sessions I recommend you just wear track bottoms and a t-shirt. As Jiu Jitsu involves a fair bit of close contact, I recommend you wear something that you don’t mind being grabbed. If you have a gi (the jacket and bottoms commonly worn in martial arts), feel free to wear that.
I am unsure, can I just come along and try it out for a bit?
Of course! I would strongly encourage you to do that as it is almost impossible to decide whether you like something unless you've tried it a few times. For your first two sessions training is free of charge, so there's no reason not to give it a try.
I have never done martial arts before, can I still learn to do Jiu Jitsu?
Definitely! I had never done any martial arts before stepping on to a Jitsu mat, and now I find myself teaching this club! Athletic skill or being generally sporty is not required either. Jitsu is for everyone. It is more a question of the time and effort and is not depended on prerequisite skills.
When can I come along?
Come along anytime! Beginners are welcome anytime. Feel free to drop in at any of our training sessions. We'd love to see you there!
Is there a minimum/maximum age at which you can start training?
The club is open to participants 14 years and older.
I have done martial arts before...
Can I wear my belt from my other martial art?
Unfortunately not. The skills you have learned there may not transfer to Jiu Jitsu. In Jiu Jitsu, wearing a belt means you are automatically expected to be able to perform certain techniques at a certain level. In order to save yourself having to live up to certain expectations, I recommend you wear a white belt and come talk to me about your martial arts background before or after the session.
How hard is it to learn Jitsu after having done a different martial art?
That largely depends on your martial arts experience (as some martial arts strongly overlap) and mindset. Generally speaking, martial arts experience allows you to learn certain movements quicker and some techniques you may be familiar with already. However taking up a new martial art also requires you to unlearn certain things you have been taught, which is where mindset comes into play. Remember, there are different ways to do certain techniques without one way necessarily being "right" or "wrong".
Etiquette...
Like all Japanese martial arts, etiquette plays a big role in the practice of Jiu Jitsu. If it’s your first time, please don’t worry! We are prepared to support beginning students as they get acquainted with the customs of Jiu Jitsu. Here are some of the more major practices you will experience in your first session:
We bow before entering or leaving the dojo. This shows respect for the hall you are training in.
Training on the mat is barefoot or in socks.
“Yame” means “stop”. This is a sign that everyone should stop what they are doing and turn to face the instructor. This is important for safety and for the general flow of the class.
Bow to your partner before you start training and when you finish training. This shows respect for your partner. Bowing after you finish training is a way of saying thank you for the training experience.
Make eye contact and bow to your instructor before coming on or off the mat.
I am a complete beginner...
What should I bring?
Clothes for training and a towel for post-session showering is all you need. For the first few training sessions I recommend you just wear track bottoms and a t-shirt. As Jiu Jitsu involves a fair bit of close contact, I recommend you wear something that you don’t mind being grabbed. If you have a gi (the jacket and bottoms commonly worn in martial arts), feel free to wear that.
I am unsure, can I just come along and try it out for a bit?
Of course! I would strongly encourage you to do that as it is almost impossible to decide whether you like something unless you've tried it a few times. For your first two sessions training is free of charge, so there's no reason not to give it a try.
I have never done martial arts before, can I still learn to do Jiu Jitsu?
Definitely! I had never done any martial arts before stepping on to a Jitsu mat, and now I find myself teaching this club! Athletic skill or being generally sporty is not required either. Jitsu is for everyone. It is more a question of the time and effort and is not depended on prerequisite skills.
When can I come along?
Come along anytime! Beginners are welcome anytime. Feel free to drop in at any of our training sessions. We'd love to see you there!
Is there a minimum/maximum age at which you can start training?
The club is open to participants 14 years and older.
I have done martial arts before...
Can I wear my belt from my other martial art?
Unfortunately not. The skills you have learned there may not transfer to Jiu Jitsu. In Jiu Jitsu, wearing a belt means you are automatically expected to be able to perform certain techniques at a certain level. In order to save yourself having to live up to certain expectations, I recommend you wear a white belt and come talk to me about your martial arts background before or after the session.
How hard is it to learn Jitsu after having done a different martial art?
That largely depends on your martial arts experience (as some martial arts strongly overlap) and mindset. Generally speaking, martial arts experience allows you to learn certain movements quicker and some techniques you may be familiar with already. However taking up a new martial art also requires you to unlearn certain things you have been taught, which is where mindset comes into play. Remember, there are different ways to do certain techniques without one way necessarily being "right" or "wrong".
Etiquette...
Like all Japanese martial arts, etiquette plays a big role in the practice of Jiu Jitsu. If it’s your first time, please don’t worry! We are prepared to support beginning students as they get acquainted with the customs of Jiu Jitsu. Here are some of the more major practices you will experience in your first session:
We bow before entering or leaving the dojo. This shows respect for the hall you are training in.
Training on the mat is barefoot or in socks.
“Yame” means “stop”. This is a sign that everyone should stop what they are doing and turn to face the instructor. This is important for safety and for the general flow of the class.
Bow to your partner before you start training and when you finish training. This shows respect for your partner. Bowing after you finish training is a way of saying thank you for the training experience.
Make eye contact and bow to your instructor before coming on or off the mat.
