Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu in Glasgow
Latest news and updates for Kizen Bujinkan Dojo.
Unfortunately the Arc: Health & Fitness gym has closed due to the developing situation with the COVID-19 illness. As a result Kizen dojo is also closed until further notice.
Doug and Bryan thank their students for their unyielding support and patience and will do our best to resume training as soon as safely possible.
Have you ever wanted to begin Martial Art’s training but had no idea where to begin?
Martial Art training has a wealth of benefits including developing your fitness, a heightened sense of concentration and focus, and of course increased self-confidence. It’s important to find the right martial art for you, though. That’s why we have devised an beginner’s course to introduce you to Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu.
Our 6 week beginner’s course is designed to teach the correct foundations of Bujinkan training, with each class building on the skills and techniques learned from the previous lesson. You will cover:
– Striking (Basics of kicking and punching)
– Break Falls (Landing safely on the mats)
– Basic Locks (Joint manipulation)
– Basic Throws (Upsetting an attackers balance)
– Bukiwaza (Introduction to basic weapon techniques)
Course Times:
The course will begin on 26/09/18 at the Arc: Health & Fitness at Glasgow Caledonian University, every Wednesday from 8:30-9:30pm. (Please arrive at the reception for 8:15pm). (Address and Map, opens in new page)
Wondering if you can take a look at a class before you sign up? Why not come and take a peek on a Wednesday before the 26th – it’s free to watch and get an idea, ask some quick questions to the instructors (when they are not in the middle of teaching).
Pricing options:
Basic Course
Description: No frills, just your instruction.
Price: £50 / £35 for students with valid ID
Deposit required: £20
Upgrade 1
Description: Basic package + a uniform and belt
Price: £65
Deposit: £25
Upgrade 2
Description: Basic package + uniform/belt + syllabus book up to black belt
Price: £75
Deposit: £35
Sign up terms!
Please understand that by clicking the PayPal buttons below to pay your deposit or full amount, you confirm you have read all our class rules, agree with them, and are eligible to participate (read rules here, opens in a new window).
Please note deposits are not refundable, and full amount payments that request refunds will not receive deposit amounts back either. This is a commitment price, and will be treated as such. You will be required to pay the outstanding moneys, if you choose the deposit only option, on the first lesson. First lesson attendance on 26/09/18 is mandatory for participation as it covers important safety issues.
Please choose from either the deposit or full payment dropdowns below, to be taken to PayPal for payment. Payment name is “Elizabeth Faulds”. Please choose a uniform size if you are selecting any of the upgrade options. Uniform is sized by your height.
Please note that deposit is REQUIRED for registration. A cash payment for full amount MAY be accepted on day, but space on the course would not be guaranteed in this circumstance. For help with these terms, go to Contact Us (opens in new page).
Bryan passed the sakki test (test for 5th dan and instructor level) in Paris, with Dai Shihan Arnaud Cousergue. For many years now, the test has been administered by 15th dans around the world with our Soke’s approval. (And just for your information, he passed first time and it was superbly done!)
Having instructed our Wednesday class with Doug for a few months now, and having spent many years of dedicated training, we are more than proud to welcome him into the ranks of Shidoshi, a Bujinkan specific title for instructors that is achieved once the 5th dan test is passed.
Time and time again, Bryan has gone above and beyond, showing duty and dedication to the club and the art. He is always volunteering his skills to help promote and run classes. He has travelled to train in Japan and Paris, and attended many other seminars as well as regular training over the years. We wish him all the very best.
Well done, Bryan, and “gambatte”.
Our new Wednesday Bujinkan classes are now fully operational in Glasgow. If you’ve been thinking about attending our martial arts class for the first time, or you have taken a break from training but want to get back, please come along.
See our class locations and details page for full details on locations, times, and themes. Or contact us for any specific questions (but please make sure you’ve had a look around this site first as there is plenty of relevant info here).
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Check out our new flyer!
Design by Geeky Ninja
…or, it’ll be hall right.
A dojo is more than just its location. So, when we learned with only about 24 hours notice that the next lesson would be the last one we’d be having at this particular venue, it wasn’t the end of the world.
Of course, at first, you feel a little aggrieved. After all, it wasn’t anything we had done. We’d always paid our rent, behaved well, done our best to keep everything clean. It turned out that the ancient heating system that was constantly breaking down needed full replacement and every single club, community group, and private party that wanted to use the lovely Langside Halls would have to find somewhere else until it was fixed.
“How long are we talking here,” I asked, still a little confused, “weeks, months, years?” I chuckled a little, to show that the last one was a bit of a joke.
“We don’t really know,” they replied, deadpan. “We’re thinking more months and years.” I was a little stunned to say the least. Now I’ve had some time to process, it makes sense that a project to renovate a building of advanced age, with historically important features and limited funding would probably not take place overnight. But still. We had better start looking for a new place permanently than wait for this to be finished.
It’s not the first time a venue has been swept out from under us. It’s the third. And one time I moved it myself. That’s four times moving venues in less than 10 years. But it doesn’t really matter. One time we went without a permanent base for many months, going between dance studios and gyms as itinerant budouka while we sought out a good location. We thought we’d found it. It turns out it was just another stop on the journey.
But the journey’s worth making. A dojo is more than just the location. It’s not even just about the instructor. Of course, it’s my vision of the Bujinkan that provides the guiding principles for what our dojo is about, but if it had just been about puffing up my own ego, I’d have got sick of it years ago. There is so much crap to put up with when running a dojo. But it’s worth it, because it’s not just about me. It’s also a bunch of students who support you and can’t wait for the next class because their love for the art helps renew your faith every single time.
And it’s thanks to this that we’ll be finding that new location and moving as many times as it takes. In the spirit of “Kizen” or “fortitude”, we’ll keep on keeping on. I extend my personal thanks to those guys who have gone out of their way to contribute to the club. You’re brilliant. We’ll be in our new home soon.
Gambatte kudasai,
Beth
Please go to our Facebook page to see the video of our demonstration. Please go and like it! The more likes we get the further we can spread the word.
Every year for the past few years our club has put on a display for our friends at Japan Fair. Each year there have been people queuing out the door to see us demonstrate our ninjutsu skills for the crowds and 2016 is no different. Continue reading “Kizen are demonstrating at the Japan Fair again!”
Kizen Bujinkan Dojo has some great reasons for you to get out, get motivated and start learning this awesome martial art today. We’re going to attempt to answer all those little doubts that are stopping you from getting to where you want to be. Okay, it’s specific to this club, but there’s no reason some of these answers won’t apply to yoga, dancing, art or other classes!
For our club, students don’t have to pay for their first lesson. Nor do they have to sign up to any complicated agreements or buy any expensive equipment before they’ve even walked in the door. You don’t even need to get a uniform straight off. In fact we discourage anyone from doing so until they’ve had some time to see if it’s for them. If you do find it’s not for you, there’s no obligation or hard sell to stay. A lot of classes offer free tasters just to get people in the door.
What have you got to lose?
Worried there’s a special intake time? Worried you needed to signup on 1st of January? Worry no more. We take beginners at any class. There might be a few more beginners around at certain times of year, like new year or uni term start, but really there is no special time you have to start. Other activities may have a more structured start time but it couldn’t hurt to ask.
The right time is now.
We don’t treat our new starts like punching bags or like a nuisance. Higher grades have the duty and privilege to help and encourage new people, and remember that it was how they learned. Also, people develop a strong sense of camaraderie through training together, and everyone is pretty friendly and warm. Bullies don’t last long in this club.
You won’t be getting in our way.
Yes, it’s a martial art. You can expect a little pain, but it should only ever be at a level you can accept. When starting, we encourage going slow, placing rather than punching through etc. Some light bruising is to be expected. But not a face like a cabbage that’s been hit by the rotary hoe.
It’ll be fine.
Group activities, including martial arts, can be quite biased towards or against a particular gender. Here, we don’t care if you’re a male or female. If you can show some dedication, then you’ve got every chance to excel.
Equal opportunities to kick ass.
It’s a tough world out there and keeping an eye towards your personal safety and your fitness can only be a benefit. Besides, mixing with people and challenging yourself just adds to the richness of your life.
You’re not getting any younger.
Your holiday weight is none of our concern. Telling yourself you’re not fit enough can be a great way to make sure you stay indoors and never try. But at this club we don’t mind if you have to take some time to develop your fitness. And we help you along a little. You don’t have to be able to do 50 press ups to impress us. Just don’t have any health problems that might get worse with some exercise. It’s not a boot camp (although we do have those available too sometimes). Nor do you have to be particularly muscular to get on. We play to the strengths you have and develop the ones you don’t over time.
You don’t have to be He-Man to train here.
You get to throw people of different ages, sizes and genders around the room, learn how to punch and kick, grapple and apply pressure points among other things. You get to play with sticks and swords and other weapons (safely, of course). However, our injury rates are low thanks to our method of training which teaches you how to roll (sometimes quite literally) with the punches.
There’s more info on this site, use it as the resource it is.
If the thought of a treadmill makes you yawn, maybe you’ll get more out of something where you’re learning and interacting all the time. It’s a fascinating art.
If you’re interested in something you’re more likely to stick to it.
Training is sometimes hard work. But it is remarkable how many people come out of class with a smile, saying they feel great. You should know we aren’t as shouty and strict as some clubs. There are a few things we do for etiquette’s sake, but after a while they start to feel normal, nice even. We don’t mind having a laugh either. Life is already pretty hard without spending your spare time being scared you’ll say or do the wrong thing.
Just try your best and you’ll be fine.
We study ninjutsu. Therefore, you could honestly say you were a ninja.
What more do you need??
So make the first step through the door and come to your taster lesson. New year’s resolutions are all very well but it’s up to you to fulfil them. And the first step is the hardest. Dreading the thought of something unfamiliar is natural, but you’ll be missing out if you don’t give it a try!
P.S. These reasons above apply all throughout the year too!!
Call Beth on (UK) 07763100750 to have a chat about coming to your first class. If you prefer, fill out the contact form.