Starting First Judo Class

[NightOwl]

Well, due to popular request (by me), another thread in the vein of my prior startup with BJJ has been posted (http://www.karateforums.com/starting-first-bjj-class-vt29807.html was the BJJ one in case you wanted to savor the nostalgia). While I only got to train in BJJ briefly during the winter and end of summer, I am hoping that I will finally be able to stick with a martial art for the long haul- something that I haven't done in almost 5 years. Currently I am living in Japan, so I figured that it would be nice to take up a japanese style because it sounds nice on paper- but really there is pretty much any martial art availible to you here (right down the street there is a boxing gym). I really loved the grappling in BJJ, so at first I thought that I would continue it because I know of some places around here. However I became more and more interested in the concept of standing grappling and throws, and so today with a Nidan friend of mine (a scrappy Japanese girl almost a foot shorter than me), I went and bought a Mizuno Judo gi. The first thing I noticed was A: this is expensive, and B: it's a lot more comfortable than my BJJ gi. I will hopefully start training Saturday and go twice weekly from that point on, however if I can manage it I might try to get into my College judo group as well for extra practice. I'm really excited to learn, and I was wondering if anyone else had trained judo and what the first month was like for them?

[Clash]

My friend, here in the US just started Judo with his college classes. He has been coming over to my house after classes so we can enthusiastically tell each other what we've learned in our arts. He really loves it so far, and I wouldn't actually mind finding the time to take some classes before I graduate high school, if I do go to college Im for sure taking the Judo classes/clubs.

Anyways, I'm sure its different there than it is here, if not for location than only because its a different school, but I know that my friend's first three weeks of Judo Classes were hard conditioning classes, they didn't even touch on the basics except excises and stretches, shortly after that they started to learn some of the basic ground work, a few basic throws and now some of the arm bars are being worked in to it, he just had his first sparing last week I believe, and he loves its.

So from what I know if most schools do the conditioning time, then expect the first few weeks to be pretty rough work, he actually enjoyed how much good it did him though once it was all over.

[bushido_man96]

That sounds great, NightOwl. Have fun in your Judo classes.

[ps1]

Lots of training on how to fall will be first. You'll also learn some basic grips and several drills for overcoming your opponent's balance. If you fall well, they may begin to teach you some basic throws.

Judo is lots of fun. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[NightOwl]

Lots of training on how to fall will be first. You'll also learn some basic grips and several drills for overcoming your opponent's balance. If you fall well, they may begin to teach you some basic throws.

Judo is lots of fun. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Yeah, I don't really know how to fall yet (although in actuality I've been practicing since 9 months old but...). I still actually haven't started yet either due to schedule difficulties on the part of my connection to the club. I am thinking of joining my college club too, which would make my schedual :

Monday: 2 hours training

Tuesday: 2.5 hours training at friend's club

Wednesday: 2 hours training

Thursday: 2 hours training

Friday: 2 hours training

Saturday: 2.5 hours training at friend's club

Sunday: Tylenol

[bushido_man96]

Sounds like you will have an excellent training routine, once you get it going, NightOwl.

[NightOwl]

Well, still haven't started judo but...I finally have a place set down. Despite my university being one of the 'Ivy' schools in the Tokyo area, they don't really have a judo club so I went to Waseda university's. Unfortunately, the club there was for their school team- it was truly amazing to watch these guys go at it in sparring, but I really wouldn't be able to lkeep up in that environment..I am reminded of the guy I saw get lifted off the ground six feet in the air with before coming down with a crash on the mat. So I decided to go to the source and I will be starting at the Kokodan the first of next month. Training is for roughly 2 hours every day, so I am hoping to get into competitive shape within the next few months!

[bushido_man96]

Training at the Kodokan, eh? That would be really cool! Have fun!

[ps1]

I'm green with envy. It would be amazing to train at the Kodokan. Good luck!

[NightOwl]

Ah- started the first class today. The kodokan itself is a fairly unimpressive building that's easy to miss, however there is something very cool about have multiple stories of gym space . I get to train on the 7th floor gym, which shares space part time with black belt randori and a children's class. The instructors are pretty cool, and I like the guys I am training with. I kind of got stuck with the role of translator, which I would sometimes forget to do until I noticed the worried expression on the other foreigner who was just starting out with me- but other than that I got a rundown of gym etiquette, judo history, and some basics on break falling. I have a feeling that the next week or so will be on ukemi, as I really need to work on it. However, I'm going to be going every day except sunday, so I am hoping that I will be able to get it down soon!