FAQ - What does a lesson consist of?

Each lesson would normally follow this sequence:

• Lay the Mats Out

Laying the mats out occurs at the beginning of the junior class. All lessons are carried out upon comfortable foam matting.

• Warm Up

The warm ups are designed to increase the bodies core temperature and prepare it for the action to come. The warm up will ensure synovial fluid lubricates the joints and the muscles are supple and resist sprains. More importantly it focuses the mind away from the day to day issues of life and toward the lesson to come. To ensure a sense of variety a number of different types of warm up exercises are carried out week to week.

• Break Falls

Once everybody is nice and warm we practice learning to fall safely by 'breaking your fall'. Break falls teach us how to safely roll out of a throw so as your experience increases you can be thrown by your partner in the knowledge that you can escape the throw unharmed.

• Specialised Section

In this section Sensei will take time to highlight techniques or areas of self defence for in depth analysis. This section is interesting as it allows all grades exposure to techniques that they may not normally have exposure to.

• Syllabus and / or Weapons Training

The syllabus work normally takes up the majority of the lesson. The syllabus work is the graded component you are required to pass when going for a higher grade. Should your syllabus require weapons demonstrations instruction will be provided for the weapons at the relevant level. In case of sickness or injury it is perfectly acceptable to practice weapons kata rather than engage in hand to hand partner training.

• Competition Ladder

The club runs an optional competition ladder; whereby you can challenge other club members to test your skill in sparring; ground fighting or random attacks. The is absolutely no pressure to compete if you would prefer to study for self defence purposes only.

• Warm Down (Games)

For the junior class the warm down consists of a series of games to end the lesson on a fun note. For the adults unfortunately it is simply a lighter version of the warm up.

• Put The Mats Away

Putting the mats away occurs at the end of the adult class. All students are expected to help out to ease the load.

• Pub

It is not unheard of that the adult class will take on lost fluids in the local pub prior to heading home for the evening. This is entirely optional but if you are feeling in need of refreshment you will be most welcome.

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