What is Judo

To assimilate the nature of Judo, one must first understand the meaning of the word itself. The word Ju-jutsu was in use already three or four hundred years ago. The military arts of those times took the name of the weapons or objects that served for combat. Ju-jutsu (which literally means practice of flexibility) was precisely specified by flexibility according to the motto "Flexibility wins brutality". Since the meaning of the word "Ju", the principle of flexibility, is the basic idea of ​​the Judo of our times ("do" being the "medium") it is necessary to study it first. The principle of flexibility is briefly explained as follows: in the face of an opponent, you win by giving up, that is, by not resisting his strength, but by adapting to it, and acquiring an advantage and then using it to your own advantage. Here is an example: - If a strong man pushes me with all his energy, I will be beaten, if I do nothing but oppose him, but if, instead of resisting pushing, I back off more than he pushes me, or if I turn in the direction of the thrust, he will lean forward from his own momentum, and lose his balance. If, using the force of his thrust, I apply a particular technique, it will be relatively easy for me to drop it when he loses his balance. In some cases then, I will even manage to drop it, skilfully turning my body -. The principle of flexibility is therefore based on this concept. It is obvious, however, that a general principle cannot be derived only from the foregoing, but from all aspects and from all phases of Judo. In short: use body and spirit with maximum efficiency. That's why prof. Jigoro Kano adopted this principle and this word likely to be understood by all men in the world and, going further, to explain a morality of mutual help and good for all. The concept of maximum utilization of mental and physical energy is very important, not only in Judo, but also in all acts of social life. We can therefore conclude by saying that Judo is the means that gives way to achieve maximum physical and spiritual efficiency.

 Aims of Judo

From the point of view of physical education, Judo can be compared to other hand-to-hand combat sports. They all strive for the same purpose, but take different forms. Judo does not have a mystical character, nor is it particularly dangerous or painful. It is a sport that can bring joy and physical well-being to everyone. The great advantages of Judo lie in the possibility of practicing it everywhere, throughout the year, without needing to be many, and in a very simple way. It can be practiced not only as a sport, but also as a physical culture, while learning the useful art of self-defense. In good schools, Judo is not taught only for pure defensive purposes, but as a pleasant sporting exercise that brings health benefits to the body, regardless of weight, height and strength, although these elements are not to be despised, and it can therefore be advantageously practiced by women, boys and men of any age.

Sport (Physical development)

In Judo, every act has a clearly defined meaning and purpose. The action is multiple. The various parts of the body are used in all possible ways, in all directions, upwards or downwards, left and right. Every movement is exploited. Therefore, by training in Judo, the muscles and bones become more resistant and the internal organs are strengthened. By practicing it, you can therefore easily obtain a vigorous and harmonious body. Since a Judo match results, in other words, in a game of tactics and technique, the contenders must always be ready to react as effectively as possible, at all times, to the blows of their opponents. They will therefore have to try to make use of a rapidity of reflexes and a fluency of complete movements in order to be able to cope with any more unexpected eventuality.

Art (Mental Development)

Sufficient training in Judo also provides a noble and refined spirit in those who practice it. The first result that derives from this is the "fundamental morality" and, more precisely, an elevated mood that gives way to face any difficulty on one's own initiative: a spirit, therefore, that we will define as "dynamic". Furthermore, as Judo hinges on techniques that require the exercise of the physical-spirit complex, this will develop a remarkable willpower, capable of dominating oneself and also controlling the opponent. A strong and resolute heart, a tenacious and well-controlled character, a rapid and exact judgment and the faculties of reflection and prudence, will thus be gradually achieved and perfected by the constant practice of Judo. In addition, the same movements expressed by Judo will allow you to acquire a remarkable aesthetic sense, while observance of the continuous gestures and hesitations to access the truth, will cultivate a noble and modest character. The very essence of this sport and its competitions makes students passionate and serious. In the practice of Judo the "spirit of beauty" is held in high esteem. To fight regularly and sportily, to obey the referee's decisions without discussion, to attach greater importance to the "means" than to the result, these are the rules. From these dispositions, the enlightened spirit of the sportsman comes naturally strengthened. But the most convincing artistic expression of Judo is condensed in its "Forms" or Kata, true "models" of technique. The perfect knowledge and execution of them gives Judo something more than pure sport, making it become a real art.