Kyushu-ryu Ju-Jitsu Classes
Kyushu-Ryu Ju-Jitsu is one of the most exciting martial arts styles available. It’s dynamic and full of energy and because Kyushu-Ryu is a traditional Japanese non-tournament martial art and is a street oriented style, its main focus is on technical perfection and realistic self-defence skills rather than tournament accolades.
Curriculum
Class begins with a few minutes of meditation to calm the mind. After a bow we do a warm up that is designed to get the blood flowing, either Qi-Gung exercises or a light jog around the gym or a sparring exercise. From there we do some stretching, after that we will usually do some matt work or kyhon to further stretch out joints. At this point we either break off into our belt levels and practice or we will practice techniques of the system as an entire class. Once a term we will do some Bokken (wooden sword) work.
Requirements
There are very few requirements needed for the practice of Kyushu-Ryu Ju-Jitsu. There is a fitness requirement, if you can not lay down and get up fairly easily you may have an issue. Also, we do rigorous warm ups so if you have health issues you should let the instructor know and consult a physician as to whether should be participating in such a program.
Beginners do not require a gi (uniform), but are expected to have one for their second term. Practice can be done for the first few months in a t-shirt and shorts or track pants.
It is always handy to bring bottled water as the water fountains are not convenient, nor are they pleasant tasting.
As with most martial arts, Kyushu Ju-Jitsu is practiced in bare feet.
Master Dionne
Jacques Dionne, also known as Tadanobu Matsumoto Dionne of Ottawa, was a revered Grandmaster of Kyushu-Ryu Ju-Jitsu and held a seventh degree black belt in the combat arts. Beginning his martial arts journey at the age of five, he inherited the Kyushu-Ryu Ju-Jitsu system in 1975 following the passing of his instructor, the late Tadanori Matsumoto.
Master Dionne shared his extensive knowledge across North America, with a special fondness for Nova Scotia where he actively contributed to the Kyushu-Ryu Ju-Jitsu club in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. His innovative spirit led him to develop the Rape Self Awareness Defense (RSAD) system for women, as well as The Tactical Academy of Controlling Techniques—a court-defensible self-defense system for law enforcement. Through his lectures and teachings, Jacques left an enduring impact on martial arts and self-defense training.
He was taken from us on Thursday, January 8, 2004, and will be deeply missed for his passion, expertise, and the legacy he leaves behind.