Testimonials

The following are testimonials from students of Jujutsu no Nakama on how Aiki Jutsu has influenced their life.

Ian Crutchley, 2nd June 2009

"I've always been suspicious of testimonials. You tend to see them in advertising and on the back of self-help books. You know the kind of thing - "since reading this book and trying the 'only eat onions diet' I've lost ten stone of fat and become fantastically happy." Really?

I sometimes wonder how much testimonial writers get paid! Well, in this case, nothing. So, here it is... my testimonial.

Ju Jutsu has had a major positive effect on my life. That's it. No miracle claims. No fat loss, no increase in wealth. I haven't stopped smoking overnight and I'm not suddenly a little ray of positive sunshine. No, what I am is less clinically depressed, and that is worth its weight in gold to me.

Before taking up jujutsu I was a barely functioning, mental wreck. I never did a thing, because I couldn't. And now, after years of getting beaten up each week, I can.

It's not easy. I still have rough days, whole swaths of them sometimes. Things still take far more effort than they would for a "normal" person. But it is getting better, little by little, and that is worth all the pain, effort and sheer application of willpower that's sometimes needed to drag myself to class when all I really want to do is close the curtains and hide in bed.

I'm not sure of the cause of this slow improvement. Maybe it's increased willpower? Maybe it's the endorphins affecting my brain chemistry? Maybe it's something else entirely - I don't know.

What I do know is that for the first time in over ten years of pills, potions, self-help books, counselling and behaviour therapy that, to be honest, did very little, I'm beginning to think that maybe, just maybe, there may be an end to my depression in sight. It may take a while, but the possibility is there.

What can I say about something that's helping me find my life again? Just this...

Thank you to the men who developed this art, all those who've taught me, trained with me and generally put up with me when I've been a little weird.

Thank you. You may have just saved me from myself."

Aimee Fairburn, 3rd July 2009

"I had always been interested in martial arts from a very young age, however I never had the opportunity to delve in to it, instead I concentrated on more typical activities, such as ballet, tap, modern and gymnastics. I then became a teenager and these classes fizzled out in place of evenings out with my friends.

I eventually met my husband and we began ballroom and latin dancing lessons together. I thoroughly enjoyed these classes, however, with today's modern society I still wanted to learn an art that would help me to protect myself in the real world as well as keep up my fitness levels. It wasn't until my husband persuaded me to attend an Aiki Jutsu lesson that I thought, why not finally give it a go? From that first lesson onwards, I was hooked.

Being the only female in the class, it was at first a bit daunting - training with all these men that were so much physically stronger than I was. How would I be able to defend myself? Then I was taught the underlying principles in Aiki Jutsu - all about body movement and keeping the opponent off balance - I realised that physical strength was really not a factor.

It really is a shame that there are not so many women practising this art - I can really recommend that this is an excellent method of not only keeping fit but also feeling more confident in being able to defend yourself against an attacker.

What I really love about this art is that there is 'no one set way' to a technique - each lesson brings something new and I think that even if I am still training in 20 years time there will still be new lessons to learn. I also love that everybody I train with has respect for their uke (partner), ensuring that techniques are carried out effectively but with regards to safety.

I firmly believe that Aiki Jutsu has not only made me a stronger person physically, but also mentally. It has enabled me to grow in confidence and I thoroughly look forward to, and enjoy, every single class that I attend."