A members view

Hello, my name is Piers and I train with Sensei Connley at both the Harpenden and St Albans clubs. In addition, I help assist with the Junior class in St Albans and also the KJR self defence classes.

My involvement with Kaisho Ju Jitsu Ryu dates back to 2007. At the time I’d recently moved to the Harpenden area and was looking to get involved with clubs and activities outside of work.

One evening I received a flyer through the door which featured an imposing looking guy with his fists raised, telling me that a new club was starting around the corner. I headed along to see what this was about.

Now, as a bit of background, I’d spent a couple of years in the past doing a different martial art and my memories of that include learning to count in Korean and doing knuckle press ups (to harden the hands for punching, apparently). It was also a fairly formal arrangement with strict movements to be learned in certain sequences, and these would be displayed at grading to progress to the next belt level.

A lot of martial arts are like this.

So, when I went along to the introduction session, I was expecting more of the same. Some guy telling me why his martial art was the best and how I’d need to worship him and count in Swahili to succeed.

At the session, the imposing guy introduced himself as Sean and started to talk through his journey with the martial arts. What became clear was that he wasn’t like other instructors I’ve known. Here was someone who’s put in the time (31 years) and knows the skills. Here was someone who’s been in situations that have required real world skills (5 years on the door). Here was someone who is able to blend the best parts from a variety of martial arts (kickboxing, boxing, karate, ju jitsu).

And the training sessions reflect this.

The Kaisho Ju Jitsu Ryu that is taught involves the kicking and punching from kickboxing, and the throws, locks and groundwork from Ju Jitsu.

Each session, Sean introduces a new technique or combination of techniques, and there is plenty of time to practice and build on existing skills and ability.

The clubs have a good mix of all ages, men and woman, beginners and those more experienced.

So, if you are thinking of getting involved with the martial arts, or have already got experience and want to try something different, give Sean a shout. He’s not as imposing as he looks.