The real question

— Will this be worth your time? 

— Will you be treated like a person? 

— Will you be made to look stupid in front of people who already know what they're doing? 

Those are the actual questions. Here are the honest answers.

What this actually is

What is taught here at SDCD is Goshin Jujutsu — modern self-defence-oriented Japanese jujutsu — joint locks, throws, strikes, ground work. Partner-based. Technical. No competition. No tournaments. 

You train with adults. Men and women who have been doing this for years. Same techniques, same instructor, same expectations. That's either exactly what you're looking for or it isn't.

Who it's for

It's for you if: 

— You want to learn something physical that gets more interesting the longer you do it 

— You're fine training with adults rather than people your own age 

— You want to be taken seriously, not managed 

— You've tried team sports and want something different 

— You've trained in another art and want something with more depth underneath it 

It's not for you if you want: 

— A class full of people your own age 

— Regular sparring or competition 

— Fast belt promotions 

— Something casual

Jujutsu at this dojo is a long art. The people who get the most from it weren't in a hurry.

What actually happens

The thing most people worry about before the first session is looking stupid in front of adults who know what they're doing.

Here's what actually happens. 

You're paired with a senior student from the first session. They show you a technique slowly. You try it. It doesn't work. They show you specifically why — what your body position is doing, what needs to change. You try again. It works better. 

Nobody is watching. Everyone else is working with their own partner doing exactly the same thing. 

No sparring. No fitness test. No performance. 

The adults in this class have all been where you are. They remember what it felt like. They're not there to make you feel the gap. 

Most people find it less intense than they expected — and more interesting. 

This continues for four to six sessions. After that you drill with different partners across the regular class rhythm. By then the room feels familiar.

The dojo

Andre Diaz has been training in this tradition since 1985. He teaches most class himself.

Class sizes are small and often a range of ages and capabilities in class.  The small class size means you get the instruction that is right for you in that very moment you need it.  

Classes run Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at 6pm, plus Saturday at 9am.  

We have a female only class Wednesday at 5pm.

Most people start with one class per week. 

Osborne Park — Unit 7a, 44 Hutton Street.
Free parking outside.
Air conditioned.
Viewing area if someone wants to watch