Judo

Judo was founded in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano, who distilled the throws and grappling of older jujitsu systems into a safer, more structured art built around two guiding principles: seiryoku zen’yo (maximum efficiency, minimum effort) and jita kyoei (mutual welfare and benefit). Those ideas aren’t just philosophy — they’re literally how the technique works, using an opponent’s own momentum and balance against them instead of trying to overpower them.

The throwing game (nage-waza) starts with grip fighting for control of the sleeves and collar, then off-balancing your opponent (kuzushi) at the exact instant you enter a throw — hip throws, shoulder throws and sweeps that can end a match in a single decisive motion. Once the fight hits the mat, ground technique (katame-waza) takes over: pins, chokes and armlocks used to control or finish an opponent who’s been taken down.

A typical class moves through grip-fighting drills, repetition throwing practice (uchikomi) where you rehearse entries again and again to build the timing a real throw requires, and randori — live, resistant practice where you actually attempt throws and mat control against a partner. It’s a demanding, technical workout: explosive hip and leg drive, full-body coordination, and the kind of balance and timing that only comes from repetition.

Judo is also one of the most tradition-rich martial arts you can train — etiquette, respect for training partners, and discipline are built into the class itself, not bolted on afterward. It pairs naturally with wrestling and BJJ, since all three arts share a grappling foundation, and many of our members cross-train across all three. Our Adult Judo class runs weekly and welcomes newcomers as well as experienced grapplers.