NU ParaCombatives Ju-Jutsu



What is NU Ju-Jutsu all about?

	The NU Paracombatives Ju-Jutsu Club has been teaching self-defense to NU students since 1977. Training is based on traditional Ju-Jutsu techniques, military and police combative techniques, and also deals with other important aspects of self-defense such as the dynamics of confrontation and psychological preparation. Our club's sole focus is realistic self-defense that constantly evolves to remain applicable in today's violent world. Our techniques are designed to be maximally effective with the minimum of training in order to equip our students with the tools they need to survive as soon as possible. We do not adhere to the formalities observed in most other martial arts, preferring instead a relaxed, informal atmosphere to which all are welcome and all will learn effective self-defense. Students are taught practical techniques and strategies starting from the first day of class. As they progress in skill and experience, students are encouraged to advance in rank, much like other martial arts systems with promotional belt exams. It typically takes 4 years to reach the first rank of Black Belt (instructor).

What can I get out of it?

	With rising violent crime rates and growing concerns over safety, self-defense skills are a necessity many people do not realize they lack. Taking part in NU Ju-Jutsu will give you the mental and physical preparation you need to survive just about any attack you may face. In addition to learning how to defend yourself, you can also expect to have fun, make friends with interesting people, gain confidence, and get in shape.

How is Ju-Jutsu different from other martial arts?

	Ju-Jutsu was the martial art of the Samurai in feudal Japan. Ju-Jutsu includes foot and hand strikes, throws, joint locks, chokes and ground fighting (grappling) techniques. It is often considered to be one of the more well-rounded martial arts, in contrast to many other popular martial arts, which tend to focus exclusively on one type of technique-- Judo emphasizes throwing, Karate and Tae-Kwon-Do focus mainly on kicking and striking, and Gracie (or "Brazilian") Ju-Jutsu focuses almost entirely on ground fighting. While all martial arts have some self-defense applications, most are practiced as sports, where fighting (or "sparring") is governed by rules and takes place between two fighters in a confined environment. To answer the threat of contemporary urban violence, Dr. John J. Lewis, the founder of Paracombatives and an experienced military and law enforcement officer, created a new style of Ju-Jutsu that incorporated techniques from many other martial arts (Aikido, Judo, Karate, etc.) as well as military and police combative tactics. At Paracombatives Ju-Jutsu, we teach defenses to attacks from all angles, a multitude of weapons defenses, and defenses against multiple attackers. In place of sparring, we practice through scenarios and drills and we occasionally hold class at the beach, in regular street clothes, or even in the snow to increase the realism.

Who are the instructors?

	All NU Ju-Jutsu instructors hold black belts in Ju-Jutsu and are either Northwestern graduates or affiliated with the university. Some of them also have professional experience in self-defense as police officers or Deputy U.S. Marshals. All the instructors volunteer their time and are addressed by their first names in accordance with our informal style.

Who can participate?

	No martial arts experience or specific athletic ability is required to join the NU Ju-Jutsu club. Simply show up with the desire and the determination to learn how to defend yourself, and you will succeed. Keep in mind that you do not have to be 6'4'' / 225 lbs. in order to defeat an attacker on the street. Our techniques rely on exploiting the inherent weaknesses found in the human body and by turning the strength of an attacker upon him or herself. The knowledge and preparation you can acquire in as little as three months of NU Ju-Jutsu can allow anyone to successfully defend against a larger, stronger attacker.

How much does it cost?

	At $15 per quarter, NU Ju-Jutsu is the cheapest martial art on campus and quite possibly in the entire area. Typical fees for other Chicago martial arts clubs range from $40 to $120 per month. NU Ju-Jutsu utilizes this small fee for new equipment or social events. We are able to keep dues this low because all the instructors volunteer their time and through fundraising events. You will not be asked to pay dues until a few weeks into the quarter, to allow you time to decide whether NU Ju-Jutsu is for you. If you decide to stay, you will also need to purchase a Judo-style "gi" (uniform) for $30, unless you already own one.

Where and when do classes meet?

	Class location and schedule are listed on the home page.

When do classes start this quarter?

	Jujutsu classes start on the first Sunday before a quarter's academic classes and continue throughout the quarter, except for academic breaks (which can be found through the Northwestern Registrar). Students are welcome to begin training at any point in the quarter regardless of previous experience. Please wear comfortable exercise clothing like sweatpants and a t-shirt, and arrive about 15 minutes early to stretch out, help set up floor mats, and prepare for class. All new students spend the first quarter in the beginner's class learning basic techniques and principles of self-defense. These include simple strikes, chokes, throws, and of course, how to fall. After this first quarter, students integrate into the advanced class, where everyone with more than one quarter's experience practices together.

How can I find out more about NU Ju-Jutsu?

	The best way to find out more about the NU Paracombatives Ju-Jutsu Club is to attend one of our practices. If you cannot attend, you can check out our Facebook page @ParaCombativesJuJutsu or send us an email at info@paracombatives.org.