subject: Judo Is More Than Just Throwing People [print this page] If I was to ask you what was the sport that was founded in 1882 in Japan, would you be able to answer the question? Chances are that you have read the title so you know the answer would be Judo. Judo is a sport were people learn how to strike with the ground and to use other peoples energy against themselves without using a lot of your own. When you learn judo you learn how to defend yourself, how to get some exercise and how get some discipline.
To understand Judo you have to take a quick look back at jujitsu. The reason for this is that Judo was an improvement from jujitsu. If you don't know anything about jujitsu then you might be surprised that it is actually centuries old.
When most people think about judo they will think about the throws that are done in judo. These throws are quite impressive to say the least, but they are not at all the whole part of judo. Many people would be surprised to learn that it also involves grappling. Just like jujitsu there are leg locks, choking, arm locks and ways to control people in Judo. It is very much a grappling sport.
"Gentle Way" is what judo can be translated to. In other words, judo teaches you how to do the throws and moves so that you use almost none of your own strength. It is more dependent on the way in which you move and position your body. After learning judo for some time you have what others refer to as body awareness. This body awareness will help you compete and do the moves much better because you don't have to think about how to move your body. Your body will be able to move on its own.
You don't have to be big and tall to practice judo, in fact it doesn't matter what you are. Tall or small, man or woman, skinny or fat, anyone with the drive to learn it can learn it. Unlike some other sports, judo does not require you to pay an arm and a leg in equipment. This sport can be done for very cheap. It is also a great way to get back into shape and lose a few pounds.
