Classes
Little Kids’ classes (4-6 years old)
Little Kids’-Monday, Wednesday & Friday @ 4:00 pm-4:30 pm
Junior Novice class (beginner 6-12 years old)
Junior Novice-Monday, Wednesday, & Friday 4:30-5:20 pm
Juniors’ classes (yellow belt and up, 6-12 years old)
Juniors’-Monday, Wednesday & Friday @ 5:30 pm-6:45 pm
Senior Novice class (13 years old & above)
Senior Novice-Monday, Wednesday & Friday @ 7:00-7:50 pm
For new members, we host ukemi-only classes on Tuesday and Thursday nights, 8:00-9:00 pm, for the first few weeks, allowing you to improve your ukemi more quickly and efficiently. Ukemi is breakfall in Japanese. It is the first skill that you practice, protecting your body as you fall or get thrown. Our novice class will focus on teaching new members the basics of Judo. After a few introductory courses, you can attend our regular Seniors' class at 8:00 pm.
You may join our Seniors ' class once you have mastered your breakfalls or "ukemis" and learned some basic techniques.
Seniors’ classes (13 years old & above)
Monday & Wednesday @ 8:00 pm-9:30 pm
Friday 8:00 pm-10:00 pm
2nd Saturday of each month @ 12:00 pm-1:30 pm
Women’s classes (13 years old & above)
Every Saturday of the month, @ 12:00-1:30 pm
What does the student learn?
Each class begins with a series of warm-up and stretching exercises. This aids in developing flexibility. Initially, students are taught to fall correctly to protect themselves from injury and develop safe practice skills. Other exercises help to sharpen movements that will refine their Judo techniques. Lessons are given by one of the instructors or “Senseis.” The techniques are taught and practiced with other dojo members while being corrected by the “Senseis.”
After the lessons, “randori” or free practice occurs, where members improve their techniques in motion with full contact and learn counter techniques which are eventually used in tournaments.
Beginning Judo students start at the white belt level. Children are promoted as they demonstrate a degree of competence in each curriculum for each level, learning new material. The promotion levels progress from yellow belt to orange, green, blue, and purple, and for those thirteen years old and up, brown and black. Adult students begin at the white belt level and, as the United States Judo Federation promotion standards dictate, the first level of promotion is to a brown belt. From that point, the student works towards his/her black belt.
Judo tournaments
Nearly twenty Judo tournaments are held throughout the year in the Southern California area, with additional tournaments at the regional, national, and international levels. By competing in judo tournaments, points are earned toward promotions. All students are encouraged to participate in tournaments. Here is our Nanka Judo tournament calendar.
How does one join Sawtelle Judo?
New students complete our registration enrollment, liability waiver and USJF membership registration forms. Students may begin practicing Judo as young as 3-1/2 years old or older. All levels of experience are welcome to practice.
For more information, you can also visit us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube at Sawtelle Judo Dojo.
Judo tournaments
Nearly twenty Judo tournaments are held throughout the year in the Southern California area with additional tournaments at the regional, national and international level. By competing in judo tournaments, points are earned toward promotions. All students are encouraged to participate in tournaments. Here is our Nanka Judo tournament calendar.
How does one join Sawtelle Judo?
New students complete our registration enrollment, liability waiver and USJF membership registration forms. Students may begin practicing Judo as young as 3-1/2 years old or older. All levels of experience are welcome to practice.
For more information, you can also visit us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube at Sawtelle Judo Dojo.