How To Do Judo

Judo is a form of martial art that evolved from ju-jitsu and was created by Jigoro Kano in Japan in 1882. There are 40 basic judo throws, and over time more were added so that today there are 67 judo moves that must be mastered in order to receive a black belt.

Judo means "gentle way" yet is a very physical form of martial arts. When one decides to take up judo training, the training facility is called a  "Dojo." The Judo uniform is made from heavier material than the karate uniform and can withstand the constant tugging and pulling. Wearing socks is discouraged, because a person could slip on the mat and fall and hurt the other opponent. When entering the Dojo it is customary to bow before getting on the mat and afterwards. This is a sign of respect for the school, classmates, instructor and art form.

Warming the body up and doing the proper stretching is mandatory in practicing any martial art or indulging in any sport. Warming the body prepares it for the rigorous workout and aids in keeping the muscles lean and flexible. When the training session is over, a cool down session is essential in maintaining flexible joints and helps to prevent injuries from occurring.

The ranking system in judo goes from the beginning white belt to the black belt and red belt, which are the high ranking belts earned in judo. Then from there various degrees are earned in the black belt system, which are called a "Dan" such as a 1st degree Dan or black belt. Achieving a black belt requires years of training in excelling from one level (degree) to another. Always listen to the instructor, also known as the "sensei or shihan", who is the teaching master. Here's how to some of the judo basics.

1. Always wear the judo uniform when practicing, called a "judogi" or "gi" (pronounced gee).
2. Always bow before and after class and to the sensei (instructor).
3. Always warm-up before practicing judo and cool down when the session is over.
4. Always listen to the instructor's instructions to prevent injury but also to learn the art.
5. Learning the proper way to fall will help prevent serious injuries from occurring.
6. There are 40 basic judo throws in judo, however, now there are a total of 67.
7. The school should be accredited (National Judo Association).

Judo is terrific for learning self-defense and for mastering the art itself.