Q: Is Aiuchi Jiu-Jitsu suitable for me?
A: Jiu-Jitsu is ideal for anyone to learn whether they are large or small, strong or weak, male or female etc. Our style of Jiu-Jitsu has Japanese origins and relates more to self-defence than to competition or sport fighting. It consists of throwing, locking, striking, groundwork and many practical self-defence techniques. There is no upper age limitation, as long as you are reasonably mobile.
Q: Do women do jiu-jitsu?
A: Yes absolutely. The techniques we teach are applicable to both men and women. We have senior female instructors teaching within our organisation.
Q: Where do I find the St Athan club?
A: We train every Friday night from 7pm – 9pm at the Old School Hall Community Centre in St Athan next to the library. The post code is CF62 4PL.
Q: Do I need to tell you when I intend to come along to my first session?
A: Not at all, newcomers are always welcome to any session. If you do want to contact me before you come along though just drop me an email at info@stathanjistu.co.uk
Q: How do I join?
A: To start with just turn up to one of the classes and fill out a membership form. You will then need to sign up on line at our Association website www.aiuchi.co.uk
Q: How much does it cost?
A: The first session is free. After that regular training costs can be broken down as follows:
Annual membership (to cover insurance and affiliation fees)
Adults £25
Juniors £15
Cost per session (to cover the cost of the hall and equipment)
Adults £4
Juniors £3
We are able to offer such competitive rates as we are a ‘non-profit making’ organisation.
Q: What do I need to wear?
A: Any comfortable clothing (not your best clothing). For example a rugby shirt or t-shirt plus tracksuit bottoms would be ideal to start. Eventually after a few training sessions you will need to purchase a plain white Gi (martial-arts training suit). These are available to purchase from the club instructor at very competitive costs (normally lower than most Internet prices).
Q: Do I have to be really fit?
A: No, but training will help you get fit. We don’t do hundreds of sit-ups and push-ups a night but it is a physical activity.
Q: What should I expect from a training session?
A: Training sessions run for 2hrs and are broken into 4 main parts:
- The Warm up. This usually lasts for about 15 – 20 mins and gets your body ready for the training session. We don’t do 100s of push-ups and sit-ups but we do get the heart pumping and ensure that your muscles are stretched appropriately for the nights activity.
- Breakfalling. This is technically still part of the warm up. We teach you how to fall safely from both a kneeling and standing position. This allows you to look after yourself and land safely from any throwing techniques that we practice.
- Training. This is the main part of the session and can cover anything in our extensive syllabus. For beginners and lower grades we concentrate on movement and basic throwing and joint locking techniques. However, every session is different and the instructor will target the lesson at the ability of those present. If he thinks you’re ready for a more advanced technique he will take you through it and push for you to get as much out of the session as you are comfortable with.
- The warm down. Each session will end with either a formal warm down in the form of a number of exercises or an informal warm down in the form of some of our more gentle Jiu Jitsu techniques.
- Social interaction. I know I said there were only four parts, but for the adult sessions we usually go to the pub afterwards for light refreshment and talk about anything from the day’s training to who’s going to win the 6 nations this year.
Q: Are there other training opportunities?
A: Yes we have Auichi clubs training in Cardiff and Newport. Please click on the links to see their websites for details.
