Japanese Jiu Jitsu

Breaking Another Glass Ceiling

At the North American Grappling Association’s (NAGA) July 2011 Tournament, 13 members of Garner’s participated using the discipline and training techniques of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Veterans of the tournament, Ed Brown and Brian Thompkins, brought back Gold in their divisions. Newcomer to NAGA and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kristen Henshaw , brought back a Silver Medal in her division and bragging rights in this male dominated competition.

Derived from the Japanese martial art form Kodokan judo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a combat sport and self defense system. It focuses on a form of wrestling – grappling - and ground fighting which incorporates several forms of martial arts and wrestling. The emphasis is in teaching defense against bigger or stronger opponents by using leverage and martial art techniques to overcome the other person.

At about 5’1”, Henshaw certainly makes up for mass with determination, confidence and lots of training. She was drawn to the discipline and physical aspects of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu after taking a class with Alex Daltro, who teaches at Garner’s AMAI. His emphasis on individual training for a team dynamic appealed to Henshaw.

“I just wanted to do it,” she said.

Henshaw trains in this particular discipline in a class setting three times each week for approximately 1-1/2 hours each class. Henshaw and Thompkins agree that part of the excitement for this particular discipline is Daltro’s passion.

“He doesn’t just teach moves, he teaches how it (BJJ) relates to everyday life. He teaches discipline and focus along with the ability to overcome everyday problems,” Henshaw said.

Additional training in several other disciplines offered at the institute maintain physical and mental readiness.

Henshaw’s training involves grappling and rolling with men who are much larger and stronger than her and are certainly better trained than the average opponent. While she's not shy showing off some of her moves and views each bruise as a hard-won badge of honor, she’s very proud of her silver medal.

“I even showed it to the mayor,” she said. When asked what she did or didn’t do to win the gold, Henshaw added, “I didn’t take a chance.”

Henshaw said she feels that with more training she will be able to bring the experience and confidence she needs in future tournaments in order to bring a gold medal back to Loganville.

Jujitsu Training In Japan | Home Safety/Security/Martials arts.

All about jujitsu kimono

All about jujitsu kimono

Equipments are carefully considered by present day martial artists, just like the warriors of the older days used to do: their life depended on it. The jujitsu kimono of today is as important to its owner as armor was to the ancient warriors. These kimonos are highly important for people who perform this martial art as it requires better flexibility and agility. A wide range of manufacturers and vendors are now vying for the attention of the jiu jitsu Practitioners. Both men and women in ancient Japan used to wear two-piece outfits that consisted of tops that resembled jackets and short pants. The sophisticated outfit of today is a modern adaptation of the ancient dresses.

The jujitsu kimonos are usually available with a top along with a pair of pants. The top of the uniform is also known as a “gi” jacket and is the main component of the entire jiu jitsu outfit. These dresses are strictly made for the practitioners of jiu jitsu . They are more durable and heavier than the costumes used in other martial arts. The weight of these kimonos ranges between two to seven pounds. The two pound kimonos are quite new in the market and the lightest. These kimonos have a single weave while the heavier ones have double weave or even a gold weave.

The martial artists generally classify the jiu-jitsu kimonos on the basis of the material that is used as well as the weave. The most popular types of these outfits have three kinds of weaves. The dresses with single weaves are the lightest while the double weave uniforms are the heaviest ones. The costumes with gold weaves may be light or heavy depending on the fabric used. Other types of weaves that are used in the jiu jitsu uniforms are the hybrid weave, pearl weave and honey comb weave. This is the most important thing about the jiu jitsu tops.

The pants of the jiu-jitsu kimonos are not manufactured of the same material as the tops. Three different types of fabrics are used to make these pants. These are drill cloth, canvas and rip stop. The drill cloth is the most popular fabric and the traditional material that is used for manufacturing the jiu jitsu pants. However the pants made of rip stop fabric are now gaining popularity as they are harder to rip or tear and some of them may never rip.

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