Kaizen is an expression that comes from the Japanese business world and it stands for continuous progress which is a goal of every serious company, as well as our academy. Whether it comes to the training segment, philosophical aspect or providing the best possible service to our students, we are not satisfied with our current level and seek constant improvement.
At the end of the 19th century, Jigoro Kano chose and systematized techniques from several styles of Japanese Jiu Jitsu and thus created Judo. Although Judo later became one of the most popular and widely practiced combat sports in the world, Kano’s intention wasn’t for the competitive aspect of judo to become dominant because he thought that many bad things can come about if the sports aspect is emphasized. For him Judo was more than just a competition, and he considered it as a mean for creating more useful members of the community as well as philosophy of life.
We feel affinity for professor Kano’s ideas and share his opinion on the connection of competition and it’s harmfulness if it becomes our fascination. We think that hurting other human being for monetary gain in front of screaming audiences isn’t the healthiest way to develop one’s personality. Unfortunately, vast majority of more important combat aspects remain intact in most martial arts clubs and that is disappointing.
Unlike Judo where Kano omitted all techniques that he considered to be dangerous (blows, certain locks and chokes), the dull spectrum of MMA techniques is being practiced in Kaizen with emphasis on caring for our training partner. That means that while sparring, partners will not hit each other to the head with more than 20 % of power, and will be very careful while doing locks and chokes.
Apart from providing the best and most up-to-date combat system to our students, many of Kazan’s training methods can have a direct transfer on other non-combat life situations. For example: It is quite common that a student thinks that he/she cannot perform a certain technique, it doesn’t suit him/her, maybe has short legs (triangle) or has who knows what other excuses and thinks that it is impossible to execute that particular technique. This is a typical example of a limiting belief and all of us have them to a lesser or bigger extent. When a qualified instructor “sheds light” on a previously frustrating training situation, the student experiences the “AHA” moment which can later help him/her to discover other limiting beliefs that are hindrance in life.
Does the underemphasis on the competitive and concentration on other aspects of combat mean that you will get a “watered-down” martial arts system and that the training won’t be tough enough?
Absolutely NOT!
Considering our extensive competitive experience and cooperation with world renowned experts, students will receive best of both worlds, philosophy of traditional martial arts combined with the functionality and most modern methods of MMA training.