From whatever path your journey has brought you here we welcome you and hope you come away with something new that helps you proceed in a positive direction along your journey of self-improvement. The RJA proudly celebrates over 25 years of instructing and guiding individuals in the arts of DanZan Ryu JuJitsu and we look forward to the next 25 years.
The following pages will help to paint a picture of our school, our organization, and our traditions but nothing can compare to the feeling of visiting a class and talking to the instructors. We encourage you to come and watch, ask questions and see what we teach and how we teach it.
Entering or watching your first class at the RJA might be a bit confusing for the uninitiated. What follows is a brief description of the protocols, history, and curriculum you can expect to touch on during your study of this art. Your sensei is always available to go into this information in greater detail or answer any questions you may have.
When entering and exiting the dojo the first thing we do is to bow at the threshold, showing our respects to our building—essentially giving thanks that we have a place to study in. This is also a time for us to leave the outside world behind us so we can fully concentrate on what we are about to do. We take off our shoes and place them in the shoe-rack by the door. After signing in at the desk you may proceed to the dressing rooms (one for men and one for ladies) where you will change into your gi (workout uniform) if you have earned it. If you are just beginning wear loose clothing, sweatpants and a T-shirt work well.
When it is time for class to begin the senior most student will ring a bell so everyone may get on the mat. You step on to the mat with your left foot first then your right, bringing your feet together and bowing to the Shomen, or head of the mat. The senior student will show you where and how to sit. We do a traditional, seated meditation (zazen) where we are clearing our mind, again to be able to more fully concentrate on the tasks ahead. The sensei will call the class to attention, the senior student will give the commands to bow. You will bow once to the Shomen, and once to Sensei. At this point class has started.
You will proceed to stretching and strengthening exercises, strikes, kicks, blocks, rolls and falls will follow. Once these basics are completed Sensei will have you begin work on the various arts you have and introduce you to other arts as you are ready. The end of class is similar to the beginning, just in reverse.
This is our system, our history, and our family. I hope you will join us and become a part of this living tradition.