PATRONS:

• Founder of Jikishin Ju-Jitsu International and a founder member of the BJJA Sensei Terry Parker 9th Dan
• President of United Nations of Ju-Jitsu Sensei Janet Parker 6th Dan.

SYLLABUS: 

Park Lodge students follow a grading syllabus that is designed with an excellent learning curve, leading the novice student up through each level, pushing them a little further at each stage. A belt is gained at each level. Grades concentrate on different aspects of the jujitsu style.

White and Yellow belt are introductions, allowing novice students to learn their own physical capabilities, and to gain balance and co-ordination.

Green Belt is the first 'big' belt. Students are expected to show good application of the techniques learned, demonstrating a level of agressivness whilst still maintaining control of their training partner.

Blue and Purple Belt start to concentrate on the more technical points of jujitsu, and students are expected to gain and demonstrate an understanding of what they do, and how the techniques work.

Brown Belt is the pre-Dan grading. Students learn more advanced techniques, and again should be able to show good application. They should be able to carry out techniques on anyone, not just their usual training partner, and cope with a partner who resists the move.

After Brown Belt students start to train towards their first Dan (Black Belt) grade.

The syllabus however, does not contain everything we learn at Park Lodge. Rather, it is a guide to a students progress. Much of our time in each lesson is spent learning other techniques, or practising using various exercises. Some students also wish to train towards competitions.

WEAPONS AND OPEN HAND KATA: 

Before taking their first Dan grade (Black Belt) students are expected to perform 5 basic weapons kata (sets of moves). These are:

• Nun-chukka
• Tomfa
• Katana (Sword)
• Bo (6 foot staff)
• Sai

Students at all levels are encouraged to spend a few minutes during each lesson learning the weapons kata. Before taking their first Dan students must attend at least 3 Ko Budo's (weapons training courses) and take their level 5 assessment, demonstrating the first kata in each of the 5 weapons listed above.

Open hand kata are also learned, some are within the syllabus, and others are learned separately.

Training for competitions is a good way of really focusing concentration on the various aspects of jujitsu.  Many Park Lodge students enjoy entering competitions, in groundwork, sparring, airwork (grappling), random attacks or kata.  However, entering competitions is not compulsory, and some students prefer not to, although they may still enjoy going on courses and supporting the club team.