This week we are shining the light onto our amazing Jiu Jitsu Club! Get the low down on everything you need to know about this club below.
What makes your training sessions enjoyable?
We first do a warm-up at the start of the session so that our bodies are ready for the rest of the session, decreasing chances of injury. A warm-up normally consists of aerobic exercises like running, jumping and sit-ups and stretching exercises, as well as Jitsu-related exercises.
After the warm-up what we do next is up to the instructors. We usually start with an exercise called 'breakfalling', its purpose being safety. Jiu Jitsu often involves techniques that takes your opponent to the floor, so it's very important to fall safely. After breakfalling, the instructors will teach more techniques to the class, which'll be clearly demonstrated and discussed before you practice it with your partner(s). Often you'll be mixed with grades who will have some prior knowledge of what is required.
Actual training takes place in a controlled and friendly environment. Students train on soft foam mats, and imitation weapons are used. Safety is always important, and students are encouraged to train with care, control, and with respect for training partners. Training should always be taken seriously as in any physical art, but it should also be fun.
It is better to learn when we're relaxed and enjoying ourselves, so the instructors aim to get a good balance between serious training and serious fun. Training should be enjoyable, stimulating, and also very rewarding.
When we asked our members some time ago, this is what we got:
David (Sint): The sessions are so incredible because you can keep fit, socialise and learn to defend yourself, all the while having fun.
Arielle: Sessions are great because you get to get to vent out I guess. I always feel better after the sessions, maybe that's also because everyone is great so their good vibes are infectious.
Hassan: I’ve had a keen interest MMA and was pleased to know QMSU offer opportunities to partake in different fighting styles as Jiu Jitsu is something which has appealed to me more then anything else in MMA. I enjoy the fact that despite missing a few sessions, you aren’t really behind as something new is taught every session; it is satisfying to learn the individual techniques to then encompass it at the very end, something you can take pride in and motivate yourself to come to the next session. The chemistry and social cohesion with everyone is just what you’d expect at a society which is the essential ethos for having clubs. This club won’t be as great as it is without the active involvement of the instructors, Alex, Ian and Costa are absolutely superb, I would consider myself a slow learner as I am just a beginner yet they have been very patient with me and their own form of humour is like the cherry on the cake. I haven't had time to commit on both days due to onslaught of work but hope to get more involved in Sem B. These are only a few points to why I enjoy being a part of this club, I am very glad to have joined.
What was your club’s biggest success of the past year?
Our instructors Alex Macaulay and Ian Marc Bradley came 3rd and 1st in the open competition of the TJJF Atemi Nationals last November, and QM Jitsu came 2nd in the TJJF Randori Nationals in February.
So why should you get involved?
You build confidence from learning how to defend yourself with minimal effort. You'll make great friends not just with us - we’re part of The Jiu Jitsu Foundation, the largest single-style Jiujitsu organisation in the UK, and they do two national competitions a year, so you can get to know other TJJF members across the country.
We asked our members this some time ago, and this is what they answered:
Ian: It's not just a great place to meet new people and make lifelong friends. It's a place to grow and develop as a person, in confidence and learning how to deal with high pressure situations. Also where else do you get to punch people and still be friends afterwards?
David: Aside from being the best value for money sports club, the QM Jiu Jitsu club is the best in the university for keeping (or getting) fit while having fun. You can train in a martial art which will give you confidence, self-discipline and determination (put that on your CV) as well as provide a welcome relief to all that learning thing. And you get to punch me in the face.
Kelsey: Not only is jiu jitsu a great martial art to have as you have the ability to defend yourself if you ever need to but it is a great way to make new friends. Everyone is so welcoming and are great to party with. The friends you make doing jiu jitsu will be your friends for life. Additionally, you have the opportunity to compete in national competitions which is a great way to get to know everyone better, make friends from other unis and be taught by a range of senseis from all over the UK. Competing is not forced and so if you do not feel confident enough you can go just to learn new techniques and watch your friends compete. You also get to see the black belt competition which is MENTAL!
Gideon: Because we are one of the cheapest martial arts club in London with an incredibly friendly atmosphere. The chance also to represent your university in a national tournament is a memorable experience. Hassan: I would encourage every able student to join Jiu Jitsu merely based on what I have just previously stated. I always look out for three points when joining a society: Will this be useful to me?/Is it something I’d enjoy?, how active is this society?, pricing. As I’ve had an interest in MMA, it was a no brainer and to support this, Jiu Jitsu is an excellent self-defence technique; London is an unpredictable city, and anything can happen so it’s good to be able to defend yourself. After further researching and talking with the guys during the fair I concluded this to be a very active society that do other events then just sessions, and they seemed approachable. I think the pricing is actually awe-inspiring, I pay around £80 for the license and 1 years worth of training – an absolute bargain, I had visited other fighting clubs whom would charge £60 per session which for a student is not financially viable. The club runs a taster session for those that want to see how it is.
And a final fun fact about this club?
We were nominated for Club of the Year 2017 by The Jiu Jitsu Foundation, the largest single-style Jiujitsu organisation in the UK.
Don't forget you can train with the club on Mondays 8-10pm and Wednesdays 8-10pm in Qmotion Sport and Fitness Centre!
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