Brevard Judo Academy - Judo Classes in Florida

Brevard Judo Academy

Welcome to Brevard Judo Academy, the Space Coast home to instruction in traditional Kodokan Judo, participation in sanctioned Judo competition, and other activities contributing to the advancement of Judo. Judo is practiced year-round and is open to all adults regardless of gender, race, or experience level. Brevard Judo Academy is a registered USJA club.

Class Schedule:

Tuesday 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Thursday 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Building discipline and confidence through traditional judo.

Judo History

The history of Judo traces back to the late twelfth century when Chinese monks, forbidden by their religion from using weapons, introduced to Japan unarmed combat techniques they had developed to defend themselves. These techniques were incorporated into many of the Japanese Bujutsu (martial arts) and led to the development of a technique which concentrated on unarmed techniques, called Jujitsu. By the beginning of the 17th century (1600), Japan entered a period of relative peace. This, coupled with the introduction of modern weapons, resulted in the traditional Bujutsu falling into disuse. The systems of unarmed combat became many and varied, completely lacking in standards and regulation.

Many of the traditional martial arts were revived in corresponding, but less violent, Budo, or martial ways. Professor Jigoro Kano, a student of many of the old masters, set out to revive a course of instruction based on Jujitsu. In Tokyo, in 1882, he established a school, which he called the Kodokan, in which he instructed in his new forms, which he called Judo. Professor Kano started out with nine pupils.

Although Judo techniques probably first arrived in this country during the late nineteenth century with the Japanese immigrants, the formal introduction came in 1904 when Mr. Yamashita of the Kodokan visited to demonstrate and teach Judo to Americans. President Theodore Roosevelt was one of his students, setting up a dojo (practice hall) in the White House. Interest in Judo rose following World War II, when returning soldiers and marines brought home the techniques they had been taught for fighting the Japanese in hand to hand combat. In 1952, the AAU first recognized Judo as a sport. The following year saw the first National Championships at San Jose State College in California. The first Olympic Judo competition for men came at the 1964 Tokyo games, with full Olympic recognition of the sport for men coming in 1972 at the Munich games. Olympic competition for women was added in 1992 at the Barcelona games.

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What is Judo?

The word Judo is derived from two Japanese characters: Ju (meaning "gentle") and Do (meaning "way"). Judo has also been translated by some as the "Way of Flexibility". Dr. Kano explained that Judo is based on the principles of "maximum efficiency" (seiryoku zenyo) and "mutual benefit and welfare" (jita kyoei), with the ultimate goal being the "harmonious development and eventual perfection of human character."

Judo is an Olympic martial art that teaches balance, discipline, throws, pins, and confidence in a structured environment.

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