Jujitsu is an individual type sport. You're not on a team where there are stars and bench warmers. In jujitsu, everyone is a participant. It doesn't matter how good you are or if you don't have the skill levels that someone else has. Everyone participates. Everybody learns, whether it's learning better hand-eye coordination or better listening skills.
Wouldn't they get that from boxing?
Boxing is a pretty dangerous sport. Jujitsu is not dangerous because we're always trying to develop self control. The idea is not to go out and hurt another individual but to try to stop them from hurting you by using things -- like off-balancing by using body position -- where you don't have to strike and hurt people. It's hard to control a punch because the intent of a punch is to hurt.
Why learn your type of jujitsu, Small Circle Jujitsu?
Because its one of the most efficient arts because you work on efficiency and control versus basic muscle technique.
Don't they all do that?
No. At small circle jujitsu we constantly try to understand how to use the least strength possible and to make our motions as efficient as possible. Basically, that's learning to take space out of movement. If I can take space out of movement, then it takes little effort to apply the application.
Is this especially good for girls?
It's great for girls; it's great for anybody.
If you're dealing with women there's always a strength issue involved. But small circle jujitsu takes little effort because it doesn't require strength. Our students learn to recognize weak areas of the human body and go after them.
What if I'm a strapping guy. I'm strong. I'm mean. Why bother with efficiency of movement?
You can develop a higher skill level. It gives you a different outlook, other than just using pure muscle and thinking that your skill level is good.
You mean this is smarter?
Absolutely.
Why learn at your academy?
We have great instructors. We have two world champions. Clare Krebs (right) won the sport jujitsu world championship in September of 1996 in women's grappling and women's fighting. And I won the men's black belt division championship in self defense.
I was handpicked by the founder of Small Circle Jujitsu, the man who invented small circle, Professor Wally Jay, to be an inheritor to assist him when he passes on. I was instructor of the year for the organization Jujitsu America. I was inducted into the Zen Do Kai hall of fame, a martial-arts organization.
I am one of three: Leon Jay, professor Jay's son, and Ron Ogi of Hawaii are the others.
Is Small Circle Jujitsu like karate? Will I be able to break boards with my hand?
No. It's nothing like karate. The emphasis in jujitsu is not on kicking and punching. The emphasis is on taking a well rounded approach to be able to understand both hands-on applications such as off balancing, such as leverage, how to use body weight, not on striking and kicking someone.
Will I be able to beat up kids?
That's not the purpose of Small Circle jujitsu. It's designed to help you in a situation, whether you talk your way out of it or stop someone from hurting you. It's not designed to go out and beat up people.
Are there different reasons for adults and kids to take it?
Everybody has a different reason. Some of my adults are looking for self defense. Other adults are here for a good workout. The other side of the adults is that they know the reputation that I have. But some adults don't know who I am. Some adults don't know the difference between karate and jujitsu. For the adult who wants their child to build confidence and self esteem in an environment where violence is not emphasized, this the type of school they're looking for.
Sounds like this is martial arts on a higher order.
Absolutely.
Does this translate into things like better performance in school?
Definitely. We've had reports from parents where it might have been behavior problems in school, it might have been poor grades, they've found that by taking jujitsu, it provides them the concentration and the discipline to be able to work within the school system, especially working with teachers and realizing how important it is.
With kids, is this just for boys?
No. I have pretty much a 50-50 mix between boys and girls. The girls can do it just as well, if not better. Because, especially the young girls, they're not working with strength; we teach skill levels. Whereas a woman or a young girl can't fight back with strength, or they shouldn't fight back with strength, what happens is they learn the techniques. They bring themselves to a higher skill level. Skill wins over strength.
Every time?
The majority of the time. Unless the other person is just as skilled.
How young can kids learn?
We take them from four years old and up. They can learn different elements of small circle jujitsu, not the whole system; that comes with time.
What's the ideal age?
Anywhere from four years and up, depending on the child. The child has to have a degree of maturity. Ideally, 5 1/2 and up for most.
Is it safe for the kids?
Absolutely. They have a lot of fun. Because we don't emphasize striking. We don't emphasize hurting people. We don't emphasize kicking each other.
Is this an art or is this practical stuff the child can use out there?
It is realistic and practical for every day life. because what we learn now is what you're going to be able to relate back into as you get older, into the future. It's always helped me as far as making me understand that I can do things. I don't have to back down. I can problem solve. And with Small Circle, it can teach you to try to work with conflict, whether its in school or at home or maybe with a bully. Not everything is always won with a fist.
How much does it cost?
Average price is $60 a month. Adults' basic costs run about $70 a month. I have a trial program, a set of three classes so the child or adult can get a great feel of what small circle jujitsu is about and so they can feel comfortable enough, whether it's the parent or the adult, to make a decision whether this is what they want for their child or themselves.
The candidate actually takes part in classes. They can sit in and work with a lot of our beginners. We charge $19.95 for that, for three sessions.
The whole school, especially the workout area, is fully matted for safety. If someone falls or is taken down or works off the ground, they're not rolling around on concrete or just a carpeted floor. It's fully matted with 4-1/2 inches of wrestling mat so its very very safe. It's a well-equipped school with bags and safety equipment.
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