My journey

It’s been a bit of an unusual week with only one session, but it’s been intense enough to be worth writing about. On Wednesday, I found myself back in the dojo in excessive heat. As soon as I warmed up, I sensed that it was going to be a different class. Sweat was already beading […]

This week’s sessions took place in sweltering heat, with a 30-degree dojo that turned every workout into an extra ordeal On Monday, I took part in a review of standing techniques in preparation for my yellow belt Six main techniques were worked on: Osotogari, Izagoruma, Ukigoshi, Ouchigari, Koouchigari and Taiotoshi. Even if the static placement

This week reminded me just how much judo is an art of precision as well as strength. Each movement requires special attention and an acute awareness of the body and space. It’s like a jigsaw puzzle where each piece has to fit together perfectly. Posture, eye contact, foot placement, the grip… everything has to be

This week I only had one session, but what a session it was! On Wednesday, I took part in a class focusing on guard sequences and muscle strengthening. After 27 years away from the tatamis, each movement is both a rediscovery and a challenge. Working on pivots on yourself and controlling your opponent’s hand reminded

Today’s session focused mainly on groundwork, with a lot of attention paid to immobilisations and preparation for belt changes. I really enjoyed this focus, as it’s an aspect of judo that I find both technical and intuitive. We worked on Kamishio Gatame and Ushiro Geza Gatame, as well as sequences of sleeve holds and the

Today was a special session. My club has provided a self-contained weight room. So we can use it before training and work on certain muscle groups. For me, it was a good hour of muscle strengthening and upper body work to make up for a lack of strength. Then, with another member of the club

After a week’s absence, I found my way back to the dojo this evening. This enforced break due to a back injury and a few stitches on my face (Dermatology) had left me feeling slightly anxious about getting back to it. I was apprehensive about getting back on the tatami, but in the end everything

This evening I returned to training after a two-week holiday. I was a bit apprehensive about returning to the dojo, like when you pick up an old habit that you’ve put aside for a while. Was I going to lose my feeling? Will I be completely out of breath after five minutes? In the end,

This week was marked by a special session: after a rather playful warm-up, we attended a yellow belt passing. It was interesting to observe the protocol for three members of our group. Parrallely, we worked on Ippon Seoi Nage, a spectacular yet accessible throw for beginners. I love this technique, which requires precision and timing,

Today I took part in a session in the second dojo and the main objective was to discover the learning programme for the yellow belt. I didn’t think there would be so much to assimilate for this first belt! We worked intensively on front left and right, side and back falls, as well as specific