Bedford Aiuchi Jiu Jitsu is a martial arts school located in Bedford, New Zealand. They are part of the Aiuchi Jiu Jitsu Association, offering a modern style of Japanese jiu-jitsu that focuses on self-defence rather than sport. The school is dedicated to helping individuals develop self-defence skills, improve fitness levels, and gain confidence.
At Bedford Aiuchi Jiu Jitsu, the main focus of the training is on standing techniques. Students learn various defences against kicks, punches, grabs, and even weapons. The goal is to avoid or disarm an attack and escape safely. The school also emphasises situational self-defence, where students learn to defend themselves against common or likely attacks they may encounter in real life situations.
The techniques taught at Bedford Aiuchi Jiu Jitsu might be familiar to students from other martial arts or other styles of jiu-jitsu. For example, they incorporate locks from aikido, throws from judo, and groundwork from Brazilian jiu-jitsu. The instructors emphasise using an opponent's strength and momentum against them, rather than meeting force with force. The objective is not to train students to become MMA champions or cage fighters, but rather to equip them with effective self-defence skills.
The history of Aiuchi Jiu Jitsu is relatively modern and has some influences from Japan, as well as Western and European martial arts. The style has evolved over time, with knowledge being passed down from key individuals who have refined and improved the techniques. The senior instructors at Bedford Aiuchi Jiu Jitsu continue to review and update the knowledge as it has been handed down to them.
The style of martial arts taught at Bedford Aiuchi Jiu Jitsu has been influenced by various arts, including judo, jiu-jitsu, aikido, wrestling, and boxing. The lineage of the instructors who developed the style and brought it to Britain from Japan, via Australia and Germany, accounts for these influences. The school acknowledges the contributions of Matthew Komp, who originally learned judo, jiu-jitsu, aikido, wrestling, and boxing in Germany. He later established a judo school in Melbourne, Australia, and taught Brian Graham, a student who continued the practise of Aiuchi Jiu Jitsu.
In conclusion, Bedford Aiuchi Jiu Jitsu is a martial arts school that offers modern Japanese jiu-jitsu with a focus on self-defence. They provide training in various techniques for standing defences and situational self-defence. The school's history has influences from Japan, Australia, and Germany, and the instructors continue to refine and evolve the style. Students at Bedford Aiuchi Jiu Jitsu can expect to improve their self-defence skills, enhance their fitness levels, and gain confidence in a supportive and engaging environment.