Jujitsu Newsletter
About Jujitsu
By Sensei Steve Pride

"the art of flexibility" or "the art of gentleness"

Jujitsu techniques enable a student to restrain, lock and imobalise an attacker using forms of take downs and throwing techniques. It also includes ground work and grappling techniques.
Because Jujitsu (also commonly spelled "Jujutsu" or "Jiu-Jitsu") is one of the oldest styles of martial art still practiced, dating from the 12th century, more than 700 forms or schools of Jujitsu have existed over the years. Each of these forms has its own techniques that it emphasis's, has improved upon, or invented. As Chongshin Do students you will learn grappling, throws, joint locks, chokes, and holds. However, all forms of Jujitsu incorporate a fair amount of striking techniques as well and in Chongshin Do a student can use Kicks, punches, knees, and elbows (plus all the striking techniques from Taekwon Do) to complement and pre-empt takedown and throwing techniques.
A central concept to Jujitsu is the ability to change from one technique to another, and then another, as quickly and as many times as is necessary to defeat an attacker. Also key is the ability to use an attacker's force against him, allowing practitioners to defeat stronger enemies. Jujitsu is sort of a "grandfather" martial art in that so many of the arts developed in modern times use it as their primary source of techniques- Aikido, Judo, and to a lesser extent Hapkido, being foremost among these. Jujitsu is an excellent all-around martial art - complimenting the Aikido and Taekwon Do within Chongshin Do.

Points to Remember when practicing.
For Jujitsu to flow correctly the following points should be emphasized. At this point I will ask the question who is still reading this or have you switched off, I'm sure I'll know when you tell me you read on and ask me questions regarding these notes. Anyway here are the points.

1. Never stop moving in circles - your opponent should not be able to pre-determine which actual move you will finish with.

2 Use distraction - a good slap kick or punch will generally do the trick.

3 Finish with go technique - what's the point of it all if your opponent gets up when you finish your move - you must be able to hold a lock/pin or strong hold and immobilize them.

4 Vigilance at the end is paramount - you finish your move and check for further attackers. This if nothing else would probably deter a "would be" attacker or have-a-go here muscling in to help. Quite often the wrong person can be seen as the aggressor of a situation, especially in pubs, ask any door person.

Key Notes
a) No movement should be wasted

b) Choose the weapon ie. Hand/elbow or foot/knee for its durability. Choose the target/point of impact for its vulnerability.

c) Never stop moving, if you forget your move use distraction to recover.

Hope my experiences help you to be better than me!
See you on the mat. Sensei Steve Pride

General News Letter
By Sensei Steve Pride

Following a two week break from work and having some time to reflect and deliberate it is refreshing to see how far many of our students have progressed, Physically, Mentally and Spiritually. Many of you now are conversant with the several Disciplines of Martial Arts we study.

Chongshin do - way of the spirit
Remember who we are!

The Symbol of Chongshindo is The Tricetra.

A three way, endless interlocking knot - This is a symbol used by many countries and religions for many centuries (East & West) - used as a powerful and energizing symbol.
In the Christian as in other religions it symbolizes the Holy Trinity - Farther, Son & Holy Ghost - it also represents - mind body spirit - birth life death, past present future and so on. Knots symbolize the "binding together" of people and friendships. The endless knot as depicted in Celtic, Chinese and Hindu art represents union and new beginnings.

The Chongshindo Knot symbolizes the union between the Traditional Art forms we practice within Chongshindo, TKD (& Kickboxing), Aikido and Jujitsu. It represents the friendships & "binding together" of the members within the association, it signifies the endless journey of learning and enlightenment within the Martial Art and the relationship of Mind, Body and Spirit. Notice how the path continues to flow and interlock within its self - returning to the source / center - see how the knot if unraveled would become a circle / a whole - see how our separate martial art systems are connected at this central point allowing the development of each yet combining them all. - see how this is true of all the reasons that it is used as our symbol of learning.

Green - Stands for nature & balance. It is a harmonizing colour that encourages healing - represents growth & equilibrium.
Purple- Combines the power & authority of red and the sanctity and wisdom of blue. It is the most mystical and psychically evolved of all colours, representing the higher self & Spirit.

Chongshindo will become more widely known than it is now. Our direction as an association will hopefully be unchallenged and unrivalled.

We have MAAS to aid us with furthering air knowledge and capabilities.

We have our head of the Association Sensei Martin Blakeway whose fore thought and spiritual vision has no boundaries - this is a very rare situation - but I'm sure your asking "how does all of this affect me?"