FAQs

Here are some questions we’ve been sent and the answers to them.

Hope they help! 

If you have any other questions use our contact form and we will try to get back to you as soon as possible!

Q:     Do you have a children’s class?

A:     Not at the moment. However we are happy for children aged 10 or over to join in if a parent is training at the same time.

Older young people (16 and over) are welcome to train with the adult classes.

Q:     Hello, I would like to start with a martial art but I’m not sure which so I would like to try it out. Would that be possible? And how much would the training in general cost? And do you give a reduction for students?

A:     Come along and see what you make of our style of jujitsu and bujutsu. Your first lesson is free and if we are not the right martial art for you we can certainly help to point you in the direction of a martial art that might suit you better. We are a not for profit organisation.

Yes we have a discount for students that’s not a problem. We charge £6 full price but students and concessions need only pay £4.

Q:     I would like to start this week, is it OK just to pop in?

A:     Yes! If you can, let us know that you are coming using the contact form and complete this online form for our health insurance before coming:

https://forms.gle/oT9AWkqfkebBqRT16

 The club is at St Werburgh’s Church Hall ~ every Monday from 7:30 pm until 9:00 pm, and at Chorlton High School Dance Studio ~ every Thursday from 7:30 pm until 9:00 pm

feel free to email me if you need more info.

Q:     What should I wear? Do I need a Jujitsu suit?

A:     If you do come to train, wear lightweight clothing you can move easily in: joggers or shorts and a Tee shirt or sweatshirt are perfect. We recommend that people wear something on their feet (clean, lightweight trainers are fine) but that’s up to you and some people will train in bare feet. (Just no “outdoor” or dirty shoes on the mat)

If you have a gi and obi (the traditional Jujitsu suit and belt) feel free to wear those.  Those of us who have been training for a while wear Black Jujitsu Gi and tend to wear tabi boots.

Q:     Please will you let me visit your Dojo, I only want see what you do at present?

A:     You would be most welcome to come and visit and observe a class, or even join in.

Q:     I am 54 years old so not as agile as I would like; will it be alright for me to train with you?

A:     Don’t worry about age and agility: I’m 63 and also not as agile as I would like… I’m not sure I ever was.

Q:     Please could you get in touch with me regarding price and members fee etc. I would also like would like to know about conduct or code you might have in class etc..

A:     We have no membership fee and each training session is £6 (although we do offer concessions to those who need them). We don’t ask for a payment in advance or a long term commitment, just come along and pay each session. We are a not for profit organisation and are not in it for the money. Also your first session is free so that you can see if this is the right club for you.

Here in Chorlton we are fairly relaxed about dojo etiquette as far as martial arts groups go and don’t stand a great deal on ceremony. We bow at the start and end of training and to each other during practice, however if this is an issue we can certainly discuss this.   (As you progress through the grading system you will be taught formal, traditional dojo etiquette, but we don’t expect or require this of beginners.)

People are expected to train in an environment of mutual respect and, of course given the potential risks involved, with care and consideration to the safety of themselves and others, taking heed of the instructions of the senior grades teaching. People of all levels of fitness and ability are welcome. We are committed to equality of opportunity and will take positive steps to promote the inclusion of all people and celebrate diversity in gender, race, sexuality, disability, etc. We respect grades (particularly Dan grades) awarded in other styles and martial arts.

I really hope this helps and answers your questions; if not please get back in touch.

Q:     I am a black belt in a different style of Jujitsu should I wear a white belt to train with you?

A:     That’s up to you; it is the policy of the Ikiyōyō Ryu to honour and respect grades from other styles and other martial arts and you would be entitled to wear a black belt you have earned elsewhere. It would also be expected that you would be accelerated through the grades in our style as appropriate.

Q:       I was just wondering if there are any opportunities to compete in a competitive event when training with your club?

A:       The answer to your question is: no. We do not have opportunities to compete in our club. Competition is not really compatible with what we teach. We train in traditional jujitsu and bujutsu. Our techniques are mostly those of the battlefield and as such are intended to incapacitate or kill the opponent as quickly and efficiently as possible. If we competed using such techniques someone would get seriously hurt.

           There is always this conundrum in martial arts training: competition is great for developing the fighter’s instincts and responsiveness, but at the cost of removing from the art those parts that cannot be “played” at. So traditional Jujitsu becomes Judo or Brazilian Jiujitsu, which are both great sports, but which have consciously removed those parts of the art that are not sport friendly. Anyway, sorry to go on! I am sorry to say that we are probably not the club you are looking for. You are always welcome to come along and see what we do, but we can’t give you competition and sport, but there are a lot of great clubs around that can!

Do please get in touch if you have any other questions,

using our contact form

and we will try to get back to you as soon as possible!