About Sensei Methven

I am a 44-year-old father of two, 4^th Dan Karate instructor. My 3^rd Dan was awarded to me by Shihan Vernon Bell in August 2002. The Right Reverend Shihan Vernon Bell was one of the earliest pioneers of karate in the United Kingdom, being the first British citizen to be awarded a black belt in karate. I have over 30 years experience in martial arts and Karate, over 25 of which has been spent teaching. I’ve trained with many of the top instructors in the UK including Hirokuzu Kanazawa (10^th Dan Black Belt) recognized as the highest graded Shotokan instructor in the world, Sensei Mick Nursey (7^th Dan Black Belt Shotokan)a senior competition judge at European level, Sensei Harry Cook (5^th Dan Shotokan, 4^th Dan Gojo-Ryu Karate), one of the most respected Karate instructors in the United Kingdom, and Sensei Julian Mead recognised as one of the foremost authority’s on Okinawan Karate-Do.

Chief Instructor Rolo

At Kaisho Ryu we are both proud and inspired to have ‘Rolo’ as our chief instructor and technical director. He has been training in combat martial arts for over 45 years and has a wealth of knowledge and experience.

He started with Wado Ryu and then in the late sixties he was introduced to (the late great Mori Warrior) Gary Spiers and started training in Okinawan Goju Ryu later to be applied karate. He became one of Gary’s senior instructors and a very close personal friend of the great man

He has also trained in other disciplines and successfully produced 5 national and international World Kick Boxing champions under the world kickboxing association (W.K.A) banner. He is also an experienced judged and referee

For many years he ran his own clubs producing students (including myself) that now have their own schools and systems. He has recently in conjunction with two former S.A.S. special forces members set up a combat training camp and martial arts gym in Asia he has also been involved in training members of the Police Forces in close range combat.

He also found that his close range combat skills both mentally and physically paid dividends in controlling various situations he had to manage, for various venues using practical applications in real life situations to maintain the peace as and when necessary.

Sensei Sean Connley

Sensei Sean Connley’s Profile

I have been in the martial arts for over 35 years firstly learning Karate (style – Okinawan Goju-Ryu), where I obtained 1^st Dan Black Belt, followed by Kickboxing, also obtaining 1^st Dan Black Belt and won number of kickboxing title, and finally self defence and Ju-Jitsu. On the 23^rd October 2011 I have been given my 5^th Dan by Cobra Martial Arts. 
I have worked in Security night club industry for 5 years and competed in tournaments around the UK. I have trained with some experienced instructors such as Lean Jay, Phil Brown, Alan Sailly and most recently Elliott Freeman (who is one of Steven Segal’s top students). For many years, I have been invited to teach at seminars throughout the country and in December 2004, I was privileged to receive an award in the Black Belt Hall of Fame for my services to the Martial Arts.
The skills which I have learnt within the martial arts have proved invaluable to me over the years and I am pleased to be able to pass some of this knowledge onto you.

What is Ju Jitsu?

Ju-Jitsu

Ju-jitsu is an open handed fighting art of the Japanese Samurai. It was designed to enable the disarmed soldier overcome opponents and is considered as the predecessor of all Japanese martial arts. (Although it is thought to have originally gone by the names Aiki Jujitsu, tai-jutsu, yawara or hakuda and to have been introduced from China).

Ju-jitsu tends toward grappling, using more techniques such as throws, joint locks, chokes, and holds. However, all forms of Ju-jitsu incorporate a fair amount of striking techniques using kicks, punches, knees, and elbows. Originally only used by the Samurai (Knights), it was soon adopted by the Ninja (assassins) and then common soldiers and bandits. This didn’t do wonders for its image. More recently (1914 to be precise) a Japanese Ju-Jitsu master named Mitsuyo Maeda, alias “Count of Combat”, went to Brazil and taught a bright young lad named Carlos Gracie. Carlos tested and refined the system through constant matches, open to all comers. At one point, he even advertised in newspapers for people to fight.

He fought anyone and everyone who was willing, regardless of size, weight or fighting style. Even though he was a mere 135 pounds, his style was so effective that Carlos Gracie was never defeated and became a legend inBrazil. Thus giving rise to Brazilian or Gracie Ju-Jitsu. Because martial artists tend to make poor spellers Jiu-Jitsu can be written as Jijitsu, jijutsu, jiujitsu, jiujutsu, jujitsu, jujutsu or jiu-jutsu.

Karate (known as “Empty Hand” because weapons are not used)

In 1470 the Japanese invaded the island of Okinawa (about half way between China and Japan) which at that time belonged to China who had invaded previously. In order to keep the peace a law was passed saying that anyone found carrying a weapon was to be put to death.

In order to protect themselves from the marauding bandits and their new masters, both of whom tended not to bother with any laws, the locals with the help of some friendly Zen Buddhist monks created a fighting system that turned the hands and feet of the practitioner into very effective weapons. This empty hand system was called te (hand) and then went on to become t’ang (China hand) because of the influence of Chinese martial arts that crept in. For a few centuries t’ang spread throughout Okinawa and also picked up the name Okinawa-te (Okinawa hand). In 1917 a Mr. Gichin Funakoshi, the grandfather of modern karate, took t’ang to mainland Japan where it has gone on to become one of the most popular martial arts in the world.

Of course he decided to change the name to Karate first. For the purists out there he actually took Karate-Jutsu to Japan and then renamed it Karate-Do. After a while the Do part was dropped although all three names still exist today the Do and Jutsu variants are far less common and all three are more or less the same anyway.

Kick Boxing

Kickboxing started in the US during the 1970′s when American karate practitioners became frustrated with strict controls on martial arts competitions. Eastern martial arts were still relatively new in the West and were still being taught in a very traditional manner. Sparring matches would take place under very controlled and artificial conditions. For instance each time someone scored a point by hitting the opponent with a “proper” technique both competitors would go back to their starting positions.

Also competition sparring didn’t allow full contact kicks and punches (knockdown karate did exist but was a bit rough). The emphasis was on how a technique was performed rather than would it have hurt. So in an attempt to bring more reality to competition opponents were basically let loose on each other in an attempt to knock out their opponent using only punching and kicking techniques. Many questions were raised when the sport began about the high risk of injury. As a result, safety rules were improved and protective clothing was added. Competitors fight with boxing gloves, foot pads, head guards and gum shields.

The sport has undergone changes and been refined during the last two decades. There are now full-contact and semi-contact versions. The full-contact version does have professional and amateur status.

Welcome to Kaisho Ju-Jitsu Ryu

We are one of the fastest growing Premier Martial Arts Clubs in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire and we only teach self defense/Protection. As of today we run 21 training classes a week, with anther 12 new classes starting from 2011.

Our Instructors

All our Instructors come from a mixed back ground from Military, Prison Service, Security night club industry, with a combination of over 150 years experience within the martial arts, and dealing with real life situations.

Our experience ranges from Ju-jitsu, Karate, Kickboxing, to self protection, we cover ground work, throws, locks, block, strikes and many other areas of the martial arts.

The instructors are fully CRB checked (every 12 months) First aid trained, have attended Child protection courses, from a min of 5 to 35 years of teaching children to adults. Kaisho also has a child protection policy in place.

Our Training Philosophy

Kaisho is a family children club that firmly places focus on learning within an encouraging and friendly atmosphere. Our training is very effective and conducted to the highest standard from the infants, juniors to the adult classes. We keep our classes size small so you will have the instructor time to develop your skills.  The great thing about Kaisho is a person can go at their own pace to reach their OWN goals!

For more information on training please click here

What does Kaisho Ju-Jitsu Ryu mean?

Translated, the name of our club actually means:

• Kaisho – Open Hand (fighting without weapons)
• Ju–Jitsu – Gentle fighting art
• Ryu – School

Martial Arts for health/fitness – any physical sport or general exercise programme contributes to health and well being. Add to this the discipline and focus inherent in many martial arts and its little wonder that people are attracted to the arts as a remedy for the stresses and tensions of modern living. Through these disciplines, many millions of practising martial artists the world over are actively improving their health, abilities, confidence and awareness.

Martial Arts for self discipline – Martial artists are among the least aggressive and brutish people in society. Martial artists are unlikely to initiate a violent or aggressive exchange preferring instead to, ‘walk away.’ With a physical confrontation often being viewed as the last resort by most and a failure by others!

Martial Arts for self-defence – The best way to look at self defence is a way in which you are able to defend yourself if need be, rather than an offensive movement. It is more of a way of defending yourself in any situation.

Martial Arts for self-control and respect - You learn self-control in the martial arts by learning how important it is to have respect, both for yourself and for others. Martial arts training teaches that in order to get respect, you first have to give it. Once you learn this important lesson, self-control will naturally increase.

Martial Arts for confidence - By getting stronger and more flexible (and by learning how to protect yourselves), you will develop confidence in your ability to handle life’s challenges. In turn, your improved confidence will give you the courage to say NO to negative influences.