Do you ju-jutsu?
Yessenia Mata
Issue date: 4/13/09 Section: Pulse
Media Credit: Yessenia MataSecond-year psychology major Mark Fowel?and UIC alum and vice president of UIC ju-jutsu club Jose Carreno demonstrate some moves on the mat while first-year biology major Mohammed Haq looks on.
Ju-Jutsu is not to be confused with Brazilian jiujutsu or other variants. Both the UIC Ju-Jutsu club and class follow the Miyama-Ryu Ju-Jutsu style. This is what the Combat Arts Institute, with whom the sensei for the club is affiliated, follows.
Miryama-Ryu Ju-Jutsu was developed by a former American soldier, Antonio Pereira. He studied and refined methods of combat under dangerous situations during World War II.After the war, he studied different schools and also researched methods of self-defense until he finally opened his own school in 1960 in the South Bronx, NY.
Peraira wanted to get to the root of this art, and so two years later he flew to Japan to study there at Aiki Kai. He was already familiar with the techniques in general and took the opportunity to refine them there. He returned to Tremont School with honors that were awarded to him during his stay in Japan. He was also awarded in the United States.
Tremont School (founded by Peraira) is located on Tremont Avenue, which means "three mountains" in French. This is why his method was named Miyama-Ryu, which has the same meaning in Japanese. It combines elements of boxing, Aikido, street fighting, Judo and Koryu Jutsu. This is a combat method you can use on today's streets, which appeals to many people.
There are many more appealing factors to this art form. Some of the students in the club have previous experience in martial arts and just found this one to be the best fit.
Mark Fowell, UIC sophomore and vice-president of the club who had previously trained eight years in karate, said that he didn't like the "kata in karate" and finds ju-jutsu more favorable in that respect.
Others, like Mohammed Haq, simply "thought it was cool" when he was exposed to it.
If you are new to ju-jutsu or martial arts in general and want to just try it out and see if it is for you before making the commitment of joining a class, going to the club meetings first might help you in making the right decision.
If you are more advanced than most of us in ju-jutsu, you might lean towards attending the class, since it is taught by a certified professional. Attending the club meetings can still be a good idea, nevertheless, to reinforce your skills.
UIC is fortunate enough to have both a ju-jutsu club and ju-jutsu meetings. They are both held in the same fitness room in the West campus gym, albeit at different times. Ju-jutsu club meetings are from Tuesdays 7-9 p.m. and Sundays 2-4 p.m. Ju-jutsu classes are Thursdays 5:30-7 p.m. (beginners), 7-9 p.m. (intermediate). The classes are taught by Sensei John Martin of the Combat Arts Institute of Palatine. More info on the class is at the UIC fitness programs page.
The Ju-jutsu club meetings, on the other hand, are managed by UIC faculty and students. It is a new club formed in November 2008. A majority of the founding members were (and still are) students of Sensei John Martin, so the Ju-Jutsu class has a huge influence on the Ju-Jutsu club meetings.
A ready- to-roll style
When you dress to ju-jutsu, you have to be ready to roll - literally. Remember that both you and your clothes have to be tough especially during the fun throwing/rolling activities you will learn as you progress. While in the first few sessions of class you can bring all the comfortable joggers or spandex you want, be warned that soon thereafter you will have to start thinking about buying a Gi (the uniform you most likely picture when you think of karate).
Lucky brand Gi's are said to be very comfortable because they tend to be a better fit better than others. Most people in UIC ju-jutsu have ordered their Gi's from the sensei of the ju-jutsu club. Remember that your Gi takes time to adjust to you, so wash it and wear it and shortly you will feel it become more snug and comfortable.
Grab a bite
You will need energy to be a worthy opponent. It is no fun if you are too weak to put up a good opposition, so by all means chew on your nutritious and delicious bars about half an hour before the class, or grab your choice of sandwich or light meal and hour or more before-hand. Do not eat anything heavy less than an hour and a half before the class, especially if you are at a level where there is a lot of throwing and rolling involved.
For more information on the UIC Ju-jutsu Club go to or contact Esteban D. Perez, esteban@uic.edu.
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Miryama-Ryu Ju-Jutsu was developed by a former American soldier, Antonio Pereira. He studied and refined methods of combat under dangerous situations during World War II.After the war, he studied different schools and also researched methods of self-defense until he finally opened his own school in 1960 in the South Bronx, NY.
Peraira wanted to get to the root of this art, and so two years later he flew to Japan to study there at Aiki Kai. He was already familiar with the techniques in general and took the opportunity to refine them there. He returned to Tremont School with honors that were awarded to him during his stay in Japan. He was also awarded in the United States.
Tremont School (founded by Peraira) is located on Tremont Avenue, which means "three mountains" in French. This is why his method was named Miyama-Ryu, which has the same meaning in Japanese. It combines elements of boxing, Aikido, street fighting, Judo and Koryu Jutsu. This is a combat method you can use on today's streets, which appeals to many people.
There are many more appealing factors to this art form. Some of the students in the club have previous experience in martial arts and just found this one to be the best fit.
Mark Fowell, UIC sophomore and vice-president of the club who had previously trained eight years in karate, said that he didn't like the "kata in karate" and finds ju-jutsu more favorable in that respect.
Others, like Mohammed Haq, simply "thought it was cool" when he was exposed to it.
If you are new to ju-jutsu or martial arts in general and want to just try it out and see if it is for you before making the commitment of joining a class, going to the club meetings first might help you in making the right decision.
If you are more advanced than most of us in ju-jutsu, you might lean towards attending the class, since it is taught by a certified professional. Attending the club meetings can still be a good idea, nevertheless, to reinforce your skills.
UIC is fortunate enough to have both a ju-jutsu club and ju-jutsu meetings. They are both held in the same fitness room in the West campus gym, albeit at different times. Ju-jutsu club meetings are from Tuesdays 7-9 p.m. and Sundays 2-4 p.m. Ju-jutsu classes are Thursdays 5:30-7 p.m. (beginners), 7-9 p.m. (intermediate). The classes are taught by Sensei John Martin of the Combat Arts Institute of Palatine. More info on the class is at the UIC fitness programs page.
The Ju-jutsu club meetings, on the other hand, are managed by UIC faculty and students. It is a new club formed in November 2008. A majority of the founding members were (and still are) students of Sensei John Martin, so the Ju-Jutsu class has a huge influence on the Ju-Jutsu club meetings.
A ready- to-roll style
When you dress to ju-jutsu, you have to be ready to roll - literally. Remember that both you and your clothes have to be tough especially during the fun throwing/rolling activities you will learn as you progress. While in the first few sessions of class you can bring all the comfortable joggers or spandex you want, be warned that soon thereafter you will have to start thinking about buying a Gi (the uniform you most likely picture when you think of karate).
Lucky brand Gi's are said to be very comfortable because they tend to be a better fit better than others. Most people in UIC ju-jutsu have ordered their Gi's from the sensei of the ju-jutsu club. Remember that your Gi takes time to adjust to you, so wash it and wear it and shortly you will feel it become more snug and comfortable.
Grab a bite
You will need energy to be a worthy opponent. It is no fun if you are too weak to put up a good opposition, so by all means chew on your nutritious and delicious bars about half an hour before the class, or grab your choice of sandwich or light meal and hour or more before-hand. Do not eat anything heavy less than an hour and a half before the class, especially if you are at a level where there is a lot of throwing and rolling involved.
For more information on the UIC Ju-jutsu Club go to or contact Esteban D. Perez, esteban@uic.edu.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Ikigai
posted 4/14/09 @ 12:50 AM CST
Jujitsu also has a noble heritage, harking back to the days of the Samurai!
Best of luck to the club and I would encourage all students who have a spark of interest in the arts to pursue their curiosity; it is a venture well worth taking. (Continued…)
ewerch1
Ewa Werchola
posted 5/06/09 @ 12:59 PM CST
I encourage everyone to try Ju-jutsu at UIC. This martial art is suitable for most people, whether you are strong and muscular or petite. You can learn self-defense techniques that may help you in everyday life, hopefully not because you get attacked, but to feel stronger and more confident. (Continued…)
brian herman
posted 8/19/09 @ 6:14 AM CST
You spelled Shihan Antonio Pereira's name wrong. But other than that this is a great article.
Adam
posted 8/28/09 @ 4:30 AM CST
One of the most famous aspects of the carol burnette dvd Show was not in the actual content of the show itself, but the theme song that was partnered with the show. (Continued…)
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