Getsumei-Ryu Sogo Bujutsu

Many people these days don't understand Jujutsu/Taijutsu in the proper way and misunderstand many things. Its called an art for a reason. Most think that its all fighting on the ground and grappling. With all due respect, Jujutsu is Japanese originally. Brazil has their version. This is not what I speak of. Old Jujutsu as I've learned and teach has many facets. Striking is actually very important. Standing joint locks and throw are common just the same. Understand, this is a form of self-defence and has no rules, as an attacker doesn't give rules before you get attacked. I was taught ground-fighting, but more importantly restraining, pinning, etc., and personally I beleive this is more important. This means your in control. I write this because a Brazilian Juijitsu practitioner told me he won't bow in the dojo and worse. I had to remind him of its history's and necessary etiquette. Jujutsu is generally translated as "Gentle Art". This is misleading. It is better to say "Subtle Art". It teaches you to be subtle in life and everything you do. It is also meant to enhance your life, as well as protect it. Subtlety is necessary. I had a very long conversation to this person about this, and since its been bouncing around in my head, so I felt the need to write about it. All respect to Brazilian Juijitsu, but I am a Japanese Jujutsu practitioner and teacher, and people should understand that there are large differences, such as fighting in a ring with rules with refined ring skills, while the latter is to defending your life. My Jujutsu (and all other Japanese Jujutsu), teaches subtlety as a way of life and is intended to make sure you make it home safe. Anyhow, that is all for now. Thank you for reading;) Cheers!

Ryan Whalen Cali Callaghan Troy Davis Gary Doubleday Brad Forsyth

On the lookout for new students now that the New Year has begun. Anyone looking for self-defence, classical budo and bujutsu, Jujutsu/Taijutsu, Kenpo, Iaijutsu, Jojutsu, Shuriken-Jutsu, etc., get i touch and we'll set up a day for you to come check things out and see if we can tailor your practice to what you need and what you're looking for.
- Ryan Whalen, Kumicho

Maai and the code of kata.

In class a student said that some of the close work that we do in applications feels irrelevant because he wouldn’t let someone get that close to him in the first place. This raises a good point. Why would you let someone get that close to you to make the grabs, chokes or other attacks?

Every system has presuppositions; the code by which the experiences of the teachers has been codified into a transmissible form. We call some of this “kata”. When you look at the kata’s presuppositions it is usually assumed that you have already been attacked and you’re responding from a position of disadvantage. You are already making lemonade out of lemons. This is known as go no sen; a response to someone else’s initiative. Very few kata begin with a combative posture. That tells you something. Yoi is not the position to take when you know you are about to get punched in the face. The opening move of kata is what happens when you are being attacked.

Moreover, when we explore bunkai we begin to understand that the applications are not at the endpoint of strikes, but in the transitions. If all you want to do is think about endpoints, you only need to kick the bag and punch the makiwara and then kickbox. There would be no need for kata. And that is ok, but it is not Okinawan Karate. Karate assumes you are beginning from a position of disadvantage, that you’re already on the bottom of things and that you didn’t have a chance prepare yourself or get away. The distance (maai) is not determined by you.

Well, Koppojutsu, Taijutsu/Jujutsu, self-defence and Budo classes have started back up, I'm happy to say. I still need a few more students who truly want to learn Budo & Bujutsu to get things complete for this year, although it's off to a good start so far. Still got those spots to fill if anyone is interested, but none the less I'm building a good student basis before I do anything publicly. First I get my students at my personal Dojo, the Honbu, then soon as those spots are filled right I'm finally gonna take my teaching public. I taught publicly for close to 15 years, so it will be fun to express my school of Budo to the masses finally. First thing is First, which means I need the right students in here so they can have some direct training and be able to showcase this system with me. I got nothing but time and patience, even so I'd like to make this the year we can open up to the public what I teach. Even if not, this year will be about collecting the proper students that can help me bring this to the next level. If that happens this year, that's great. If it takes another year to track down the right students to get back or start practice, ok then that's the focus. Anyone interested in learning some real martial arts, get at me! There couldn't be a better time to start in this school;)

Ryan Whalen Cali Callaghan Brad Forsyth Troy Davis Nathan Darou

After some much needed rest and rehabilitation, I'm happy to say training is back in effect again in a big way. Yesterday I started a new student, who is quite eager to learn and actually takes notes (can't say how relieving that is!). Two classes of introduction have been completed, with one final before my new Deshi is officially excepted into Getsumei-Ryu Sogo Budo. Of course starting with the Taijutsu, and very heavy focus on Reiho. Now also added exercise and stretching (Taiso), and strike conditioning (Keiko). Waiting for one more student to get back into practice and I can devote my time back to teaching these two great students who have emptied their cups and need it filled back up. It's shaping up to be a great winter of practice as I also move into my own training of Iaijutsu and Shurikenjutsu. Hope you all have a great fall!

Very good day of keiko, starting first with my old friend and new student, practicing proper breathing techniques and meditation as well as other areas of Budo, such as Reiho (ettiquette and mannerisms), displaying some Torite Kata (grappling forms), and speaking about the history of Budo and Bujutsu as well as the differences between them. Glad to have him join us today, and happy we started a schedule... later my assistant and I practiced Randori, lots of fun in learning how to quickly respond to attacks and using good application of our Kata. All-in-all a great day for Getsumei-Ryu and the two students who are part of this school. I love being able to do two classes in one day. I'm proud of you both... Great work !