Judo

Judo in comparison to other Martial Arts is considered to be a modern martial art. It was created by Jigaro Kano in 1882, in Japan. It has developed over the years into a very popular art which is practiced all over the world. Its history has roots in another popular Martial Art, Jujutsu.

Kano, as a youth, sought out to learn the art of Jujutsu as a form of self defence. He found it difficult to find an instructor due to the decline in popularity of the art. After a while, he finally found Fukuda Hachinosuke. Under Fukuda’s instruction, Kano developed his Jujutsu skills, especially the formal techniques that would later be the frame work for Kano’s Judo. Upon Fukuda’s death, Kano then trained under Ikuto Tsunetoshi who also emphasized the randori (free practice) but had greater focus on the throwing techniques. Both teachers focused on different perspectives in Jujutsu thus laying the roots for Kano’s Judo. In 1882 Kano took this experience and founded his first dojo.

The principles such as maximum efficiency, minimum effort, mutual welfare and benefit, softness controls hardness are all keystones that Kano used to developing his art of Judo. He felt that term ‘Jujutsu’ alone did not encompass everything that he wanted to emphasize. The decrease in popularity of Jujutsu in the public eye hindered all of the benefits of the techniques, skills and philosophy it taught. Kano decided to take his knowledge and the philosophy his had learned and chose the name Judo.

Judo has become most recognized for its competitive approach with an opponent. Its emphasis is on throws, takedowns, pins and choking techniques to over power an opponent. In 1964, Judo became an Olympic Sport. It has gained popularity and respect world wide and has earned its place when speaking of popular Japanese Martial Arts. The legacy of Kano’s Judo and influence lives on in other Judo- style martial arts such as MMA, Sambo, Russian Judo to name several. This swift, strong and flowing martial art is surely one that will continue to evolve and influence future Judoka ( practitioners) for many years.

Tracy Warrener has been fortunate to have been raised within the Martial Arts since the age of 4 years old and is a 4th Degree Black Belt in Goju Ryu Karate. She has had the opportunity to study with some amazing Martial Artists. Sensei Richard Kim, Sensei Peter Urban, Professor Don Jacob, Sensei Jim Wilson, Professor Wally Jay, just to name several. Of course her main Sensei is her father, Sensei Don Warrener. Throughout the 40 plus years of her involvement in the Martial Arts, she has worked her way from being a student of the martial arts to a Martial Arts Sensei ,teaching hundreds of students. She has ran and managed martial arts schools teaching students of all ages, worked within the community teaching at fitness centres, schools, businesses and Women’s Shelters, the benefits of Karate. One the causes close to her heart is teaching and empowering young girls and women the importance of self defence and awareness. Her program called Look Strong! Act Strong! Be Strong! focuses on easy self defence techniques and mind self defence techniques. In 2013 she was awarded The Silver Lifetime Achievement Award in the Masters of the Martial Arts Hall of Fame in California for her contribution to Women in the Martial Arts. She is also a Certified Reflexologist and Reiki Master. She has starred in three of her own DVDs produced by Rising Sun Productions on Reiki, Reflexology and her Look Strong ,Act Strong ,Be Strong Self Defence Program. tracy.warrenerentertainment@gmail.com