FAQs

Our curriculum is very broad-based, as ju jitsu was the original ’mixed martial art‘ before that term existed. You will have the opportunity to learn devastating throws, powerful kicks and punches, and methods of controlling and subduing an aggressor using a variety of joint locks, chokes and strangles. As well as unarmed techniques, you’ll also get to learn to use short sticks in self-defence, and to defend yourself against weapon attacks by blunt instruments, knives etc. You will also learn techniques to fight and defend yourself on the ground. All in a totally safe, controlled and co-operative environment.

Our parallel Kobudo syllabus teaches traditional Japanese weapons forms including katana, bo, nunchaku, kama, tonfa and more.

Absolutely not. In fact, you may pick up our techniques faster as you will have no pre-conceived ideas from training in other styles. We will introduce you gently and gradually to the syllabus, which is designed to have an appropriate learning curve for absolute beginners.

Remember, even our black belts were beginners once! Many of our current students have done or continue to train in other arts, but equally, many come to us as absolute beginners.

We have taught people from the age of 5, up to students in their fifties or sixties. Several of our black belts have done black belt gradings in their forties or fifties, so no, you aren’t!

Ju jitsu is one of THE BEST martial arts you can learn as a female or smaller person. We were founded by our Senior Instructor, Sensei Holly Evans (4th Dan), and have had several female instructors and many female students over the years.

As ju jitsu uses leverage, timing and the laws of physics to overcome an opponent instead of brute strength, it is ideal for smaller, lighter people and for women’s self-defence.

When you or your child arrive for your free trial class, you’ll be greeted by Sensei Dan or one of the senior students. We’ll then ask you to fill in a short registration form, so that we have your contact details etc and to cover you under our insurance for your first lesson. Then the class will line up and bow on, followed by a warm-up and some gentle stretching/mobility exercises. 

The main body of the class will focus on technique and may have a particular theme. You won’t be expected to do anything you feel uncomfortable with, and we will take time to fully explain what is going on, and if we are practising throws, we’ll show you how to fall correctly. You will not be slammed around or punched, so don’t worry. Through the class we will introduce you to some basic techniques from our white belt syllabus and perhaps some other concepts, depending on the theme. We only expect beginners to work at the level they are comfortable with. If you have any injuries or physical limitations, please discuss these with the instructor before class begins.

Definitely not. We’re not that kind of club! We foster an atmosphere of friendliness and co-operation, and all our senior students are expected to help out our beginners. They are normal people like you, who have just been training a bit longer.

Most classes are lead and overseen by Sensei Dan Verghese (3rd dan), who has 20 years’ experience in the martial arts, and over 13 years’ experience in ju jitsu. All our instructors are qualified, first aid trained, insured and Enhanced DBS checked.

Ju jitsu is an incredibly safe sport, even though we are practising potentially dangerous techniques. We instil safe training practices, with every member taking responsibility for their safety and that of their training partner.

Injuries are very rare, but as with all sport, there is an element of risk. We have a good safety track record and find ju jitsu to be much safer than team sports such as football, rugby etc.

For your first session you just need to wear a T-shirt and shorts or tracksuit bottoms. Please remove or tape over any piercings and remove jewellery and watches, for your own and your partner’s safety.

If you’ve previously done another martial art and have a uniform, feel free to wear that. Once you join as a member, you can order a club gi (uniform) from your instructor.

No, you’ll be free to upgrade, downgrade, pause or cancel your membership at any time. But we hope you’ll never want to leave!