Name: Ade Dojo: London Belt: Black Joined: 20 years ago
What inspired you to start practising ju-jitsu?
I’d like to say The Matrix (“I know Jujitsu!”) but erm no, ’twas the more prosaic yet grave necessity for self-preservation. I was always of slight build, carefully navigating not being picked on. I was simply fed up being fearful.
What do you like about Ishigaki?
For me jiujitsu is reactive and responsive; it has the concept of flow and movement; it’s being open and adaptive like Tao. Jujitsu resembles how I dance, letting what presents determine what moves and how it does. Jujitsu fits my personality, my disposition, my inclination and spirit. Ishigaki is where I get to hone all that.
What has been a highlight for your ju-jitsu journey so far?
Having a tribe (of all sorts, we’re not androids) but a tribe nonetheless. And yes, getting a black belt. That was wild and surreal. Finally, “I know (some) jujitsu”. I hope I am never compelled to use it but if I am then I have a ready toolkit.
What would you say to anyone thinking of joining?
Come on over. Try it. Walk through that door. And it’s ok if it doesn’t suit you (some people have found it too much close contact, not aggressive enough, too much throwing etc.) but … but if it works FOR YOU, one day you’d be a black belt too and wouldn’t that be wild?
