The Gentle Way

The children in Key Stage 1 and 2 were lucky enough to experience a free taster judo session in the school hall, delivered by Tony Devine from Judo Pandas in Hebden Bridge. The rules of the sport of judo are complex. The objective is to cleanly throw, to pin, or to master the opponent, the latter being done by applying pressure to arm joints or to the neck to cause the opponent to yield.

Techniques are generally intended to turn an opponent’s force to one’s own advantage rather than to oppose it directly. A ritual of courtesy in practice is intended to promote an attitude of calm readiness and confidence. The usual costume, known as jūdōgi, is a loose jacket and trousers of strong white cloth. White belts are worn by novices and black by masters, with intermediate grades denoted by other colours. Jūdōka (students of judo) perform the sport with bare feet.

The children loved the sessions, there was laughter, bravery and a lot of red, worn out faces by the end of each session. Further information about the classes Tony runs can be found here www.judoexcellence.co.uk