Shiro Bara Ju Jitsu

Self defence gradings... There are two kinds of grading. The first is an exercise of demonstrating you can perform certain techniques and the second is a demonstration that you can either perform or improvise under duress. Up until now at Shiro Bara Ju Jitsu we have tended to carry out standard gradings up to green belt and then apply the pressure from blue belt onwards by applying a more self defence orientated grading. However, I’m aware that this isn’t for everybody. Some people don’t want to prove they can perform a hip throw whilst Chris or Dawn tries to plunge a wooden knife into their ribs. I do appreciate the different reasons, abilities and age groups and their differing needs. Therefore, with your agreement I am suggesting that we give people an option to do a normal grading up to and including brown belt or they can choose to partake in a self defence grading. The only benefit of partaking in the self defence grading is your own peace of mind. It will not carry any higher kudos or status, but for those of you that wish to push and test yourself it is a serious option.   I don’t want to lose students who have trained for over a year by imposing a tough blue belt upon them. I don’t want them to have to quit because their reasons for training are different to some other students. We will all benefit from having a larger cross section of ages, abilities and reasons for practising Ju Jitsu in our class.   If you want to voice your thoughts on this then please drop me a line or speak to me in class.   Thanks, Neil   (Posted: 21st March 2007)

Gradings, gradings, gradings... We've had a glut of gradings recently. Bob, Nat and Keith all flew through their purples belts and Rob finally got his blue under his belt. It’s becoming apparent that the blue belt grading is becoming a lesson in itself.   We also have the following people chasing gradings in the near future... get the lessons in and show me your ready guys.   Dawn - Brown Dave - Brown Kieran - White Henry - White James - Yellow Ryan - Yellow Amy - Orange   (Posted: 21st March 2007)

Guess who's back Chris Doherty is back! Back from his knee op last year and many sessions of physio to lots of hard work in the build up to his upcoming first dan grading!   Good luck!   (Posted: 12th February 2007)

Style Recognition Shiro Bara was today formally recognised as a new western style martial art in its own right by the CMAA. The style we practice is now recognised and known as "Shiro Bara Ju Jitsu Do".   Andrew Morrell, President and founder of the CMAA, said "This is to attest and certify that Neil Froggatt has submitted his system for review and has proven his grades, experience and back ground in the Martial Arts. The System has been officially recognised by the C.M.A.A. from this day 14.09.06 as a New Western Martial Art to be known as Shiro Bara Ju Jitsu Do” Shiro Bara Ju-Jitsu Do" (Posted: 14th September 2006)

Blue Belt gradings The blue belt is a traditionally tough grading at Shiro Bara, and last nights grading of Bob, Natalie and Keith was no exception. All three are black belts in other arts, so sadistic assistant instructor and Ju Jitsu brown belt Chris Doherty insisted on pushing them that extra mile (or two).   Sadistic Chris was heard shouting half way through the grading "Come on Keith you're a f*&%ing Kung Fu expert, you can do better than that!". Way to go Chris on those words of wisdom and way to go to Bob, Natalie and Keith who were all put under pressure and performed exceptionally well. Three very well earned blue belts. Well done guys. (Posted: 28th September 2006)

JU'nior' JITSU Chris Doherty will be starting a childrens class on Saturday 16th September with his able assistant Robert Whitehead. We are currently building the Ju'nior Jitsu minisite, which we are hoping will be live in the coming days. (Posted: 8th September 2006)

CMAA Summer Course 2006 Read the news and see the pictures of this years summer course. Click here. (Posted: 2nd August 2006)