Open martial arts tournaments
such as "The
Ultimate Fighting Championship" have repeatedly demonstrated
the need for a mix of skills in a fight, including striking, kicking,
throwing and grappling. The Kodenkan Martial Arts Academy is pleased
to offer Tucson its own mixed martial arts style, Hiraido Jujitsu,
which combines techniques from kickboxing, jujitsu and judo.
Hiraido Jujitsu classes offer high intensity workouts,
including drills, exercises, contact sparring and grappling. While
Hiraido Jujitsu does train students in contact fighting, the safety
of our students is our first concern. Students wear protective
equipment, including gloves and headgear. The level of contact
ranges from light to medium, and is completely at the discretion
of the participants.
The Art of the Open Way
Hiraido Jujitsu means "The Art of the Open
Way". It is a contemporary mixed martial art which changes
and adapts in its pursuit of greater utility and efficiency. However,
Hiraido Jujitsu maintains the traditional martial arts values that
teach that the main reason one practices any martial art is to
improve one’s character. Therefore, anyone seeking to acquire
these skills must come to train diligently, humbly, and always
with care for the safety of one’s partners.
The Origin of Hiraido Jujitsu
There are five main arts that make up Hiraido Jujitsu: Danzan Ryu Jujitsu,
Brazilian Jujitsu, Judo, Matsunoryu Goshinjitsu, and Daido Juku Karate.
The three founders of Hiraido Jujitsu have collectively over 60 years
of experience in these arts, but maintain that the constant study and
pursuit of new knowledge is critical to continued improvement.
The first art contributing
to Hiraido is Danzan Ryu Jujitsu, a traditional jujitsu founded
by Professor Seishiro H. Okazaki, who also founded the Kodenkan
(School of the Ancient Arts) in Hawaii in the 1930’s. Professor
Okazaki himself had taken various arts of jujitsu, added them
together with the healing arts and formed an extremely effective
school of jujitsu that is still widely practiced today. Many
throws and submissions from Danzan Ryu have been adopted into
a mixed fighting format used in Hiraido Jujitsu
The major source of grappling and submission techniques
in Hiraido Jujitsu is Brazilian Jujitsu. Many fundamental positions,
locks, and strangles have been adopted from what is widely recognized
as the most dangerous grappling art in the world.
Several throwing techniques and self-defense techniques made their way
into Hiraido. Jujitsu from Judo (the Gentle Way), and Matsuno Ryu Goshinjitsu
(a self-defense art). These arts also contributed rolling and falling
techniques.
Lastly, Daido Juku Karate from Japan and Kajukenbo from Hawaii are the
two main sources of striking techniques found in Hiraido Jujitsu. Virtually
all of the kickboxing combinations and fundamentals come from these two
arts. These two schools also inspired the use of the proper safety gear,
which allows us to train in all three fighting ranges safely.
The study of Jujitsu (Japanese for
“gentle art” ) focuses on using an opponents own force against
them. Used primarily for self-defense, Jujitsu incorporates throws,
pins and escape techniques. Self-defense is not the only benefit,
however; Jujitsu also emphasizes respect, goal-setting, self-confidence,
self-discipline, teamwork, coordination and physical fitness.
Classes taught in a fun, safe atmosphere with an emphasis on when
it is appropriate to use these skills and when it is not.
Lil’ Dragons is a terrific, fun-filled,
energetic class that is perfect for budding martial artists who
are 4-7 years old! It combines exercise, games, martial arts skills,
respect, cooperation, listening skills and important safety lessons
that are all rolled into a dynamic 30-minute lesson. Classes are
taught in a fun, safe atmosphere with an emphasis on when it is
appropriate to use the basic safety skills that are taught and
when it is not.
While the study
of martial arts through the centuries has grown from the need for
self-preservation, modern study emphasizes more diverse goals such
as personal growth, physical fitness and goal-setting as well as
the self-defense aspect. The study of Jujitsu (Japanese for “gentle
art”) focuses on using an opponents own force against them. Used
primarily for self-defense, Jujitsu incorporates throws, pins and
escape techniques.
Family
Karate (ages 6 to Adult.)
Mon. & Wed. 5:00 – 5:50 p.m.
Karate teaches traditional martial
arts skills while focusing on self-defense, self-esteem, self-confidence,
respect, goal-setting and physical fitness. Hand strikes, foot
strikes and kicks are taught in a fun, safe atmosphere with an
emphasis on when it is appropriate to use these skills and when
it is not.
This extremely popular class is part
of our unique BagWorks Fitness program. Get ready to trim down,
shape up, get moving and have FUN! Exercise in a high-energy,
music-filled environment while learning boxing moves, kickboxing
techniques, and karate basics while using aerobic movement. See
our Bagworksfitness web site for more information.
Karate Kids teaches traditional
martial arts skills while focusing on self-esteem, self-confidence,
self-discipline, respect, goal-setting and physical fitness.
Self-defense using hand strikes, foot strikes and kicks are taught
in a fun, safe atmosphere with an emphasis on when it is appropriate
to use these skills and when it is not.
This Kajukenbo style incorporates
techniques from several different martial arts such as Karate,
Jujitsu, and Kenpo. Started in Hawaii in the 1940’s, Kajukenbo
emphasizes hand and foot strikes and is a versatile system for
all-around self-defense.
Ryuseiken Battdo-do, a Japanese sword art
that combines forms sparring and target cutting. Founded in Mitsuhiro
Saruta in Saki city in 1990. Specified uniforms, wooden sword
and padded sparring sword are required to participate.
A modern mixed martial art consisting of
kickboxing, wrestling, judo and submission grappling. Emphasis
is places on combining traditional martial arts controls with modern
martial arts. Sparring is integral part of class, requiring all
students to attend with proper safety gear and concern for safety
of partner. (very physical class).
Praying Mantis Kung Fu is a Chinese style that is a combination of Shaolin and the traditional family styles of Kung Fu. This well-rounded style is known for its varied kicks, strong legwork, as well as quick, fluid hand techniques. It’s many benefits include increased coordination, balance, flexibility and aerobic strength.
The sword and shield class was developed with children in mind, since the Adult sword class, Batto-do, requires students to be at least 14 years of age. The sword and shield class instructs young students in the art of the Samurai sword in a fun and safe environment
BagWorks
Fitness ™ is an exciting new addition
to the Kodenkan of Tucson Martial Arts. BagWorks
Fitness is a great alternative for women who want a
fun, fast workout that can be challenging for those die-hard
exercise buffs, but also basic enough for beginners just
starting an exercise regimen. Workout room, Pilates, Cardio
Karate Kickboxing,
