JOINING? Frequently Asked Questions:
WHEN ARE THE CLASSES HELD? WHAT ARE THE HOURS?
Private lessons are held at times and dates that are mutually acceptable with the student and the teacher.
Semi-private lessons are held at times and dates that are mutually acceptable with the group and the teacher.
The hours are flexible.
DO YOU JUST TEACH TRADITIONAL JUJUTSU?
Yes, Hakko Denshin Ryu Jujutsu. It is a traditional (Nippon Gendai) jujutsu with modern applications. Because of the flexibility and adaptability of the principles that we use, our applications are far-reaching and able to move easily into the future.
WHAT DOES IT COST?
$35 / hr semi-private, $50 / hr private. Family members of students may always watch at no charge.
I HAVE TIME BUT NO MONEY, CAN I STILL LEARN?
Yes. Contact for details on becoming an uchideshi, or check out the SBC Dojo website.
WHERE IS THE DOJO? WHY IS THE LOCATION SECRET?
The KaZoku Dojo in
Sarasota Florida is kept out of normal public view since it is a private martial art school. It is located on the private residence of the Brunetti family. The
SBC dojo allows public attendance, click the link to find the location.
I THINK I LIVE TOO FAR AWAY, CAN I STILL LEARN?
The best way to learn a martial art is to be able to train regularly with a qualified instructor and have various partners to try your techniques on. But since life happens and schools may not be close by, or hours may be incompatible with your schedule, alternatives are;
1) Begin a HDR Study Group.
If you know several jujutsu enthusiasts interested in training, you need an instructor for the initial training, followed by perfection training with an instructor, and advanced training with an instructor. If these sessions are followed by regular practice with your group, then advancement can be a natural by-product. Hosting a mini-seminar, or taking a road trip with your group would be all that is needed to get started.
Contact the KaZoku Dojo about beginning a Hakko Denshin Ryu Jujutsu Study Group.
2) Car-Pool.
If you know only one or two jujutsu enthusiasts interested in training, you could
carpool to the KaZoku Dojo, a KaZoku Branch school, or perhaps another Hakko Denshin
Ryu school once a week or so, followed by regular practice sessions at your
home with your partner(s).
WHAT DO I NEED TO GET STARTED NOW?
1) ACCEPT the fee schedule, have time to COMMIT, be able to TRAVEL to South Sarasota, or begin a study group.
2)
CONTACT the KaZoku Dojo to set up a visit or begin training.
3) SIGN a liability waiver, provide contact information, and show proof of health insurance.
4) WEAR either a plain white martial art uniform (we have changing facilities), or other comfortable clothing (Ex. military BDU pants and a tee-shirt, or sweat clothes, no shorts). Eventually it will be expected that you purchase a plain white Judo gi, which can be purchased through the KaZoku Dojo.
HOW CAN I CONTACT THE DOJO?
Cliff Brunetti-sensei can be reached by calling
941-266-7973 between 9am - 5pm EST, or use our
CONTACT page, to set up a visit to the dojo or to begin training.
HOW DANGEROUS IS THIS TRAINING? WILL I GET HURT?
All martial arts contain an element of risk. It is a physical art, where you will be moving rapidly, learning to fall to the ground safely, and will be physically manipulated. There is pain associated with the manipulations. However, a hallmark of our art is that the pain is fleeting and normally gone immediately after the manipulation is finished. It is EXTREMELY RARE that someone is injured. Our students all strive to achieve a high level of defense capabilities, without injuring their training partners. In the end we all have to take what we dish out.
HOW SOON WILL I BE ABLE TO DEFEND MYSELF?
Of course, everyone is different, and everyone learns at a different pace, however, Hakko Denshin Ryu Jujutsu focuses on principles after learning the basic techniques, and students are competent in a relatively short period of time.
Typically after only a few months, students are using the principles that they have learned from the waza to create their own competent defenses.
IS THIS A RELIGION?
No. This is a martial art and self-defense method. However, I recognize that since our art is a traditional Japanese martial art, there are some ancient warrior customs that may appear to have similarities to religious acts (bowing and meditation). These similarities are very superficial and are not in fact religious at all.
Bowing is used by traditional martial arts to show respect to fellow practitioners, and teachers past and present, it is not in subjugation.
At the beginning of our class, we may look like we are meditating, but it is really a "non-meditation." We attempt to clear away extraneous thoughts (not meditate on something) so that we can focus on our studies and reduce injuries.
We do not, in our martial art; pray or bow down to any deity. We do not have any carved images of deities, and we do not subjugate ourselves to any deities as part of our classes. We are here to learn martial arts and self-defense.
HOW SOON CAN I GET A BLACK BELT?
As a Black Belt, you will be competent in defenses involving grabs, chokes, strikes, kicks, throws, and weapons with both singular and multiple attackers from any position. That requires a significant time commitment, typically over one to two years and often more, again, depending on how quick of a learner you are, how physically fit you are, and how much time you can commit to learning both in the dojo and at home.
There is much to learn after achieving a first degree Black Belt, although that is a terrific goal. The first degree Black Belt represents someone who is competent in defense situations and has mastered the basics of the art. After the first degree Black Belt, (second, third, and fourth degree) much more powerful techniques are taught - the core of the art. After the fourth degree Black Belt, the practitioner learns Hi-den and Oku-den techniques while refining the previous techniques and principles - then you become a master of Hakko Denshin Ryu. This can be within your grasp.
IS THIS LIKE MMA (Mixed Martial Art) CAGE FIGHTING?
No. Although many of our principles are used in MMA, the methodology and philosophy are completely different.
MMA style fighting is designed with 1) one-on-one fighting for the ring in mind, 2) it has both attack and defense techniques, 3) both fighters know what skills their opponents possess, and 4) although MMA is very brutal, there are rules to preclude death or serious bodily injury (the match will be stopped before it turns lethal.) This is completely different than a self-defense martial art.
A self-defense martial art, like ours, begin with 1) learning respect for others, 2) it is designed for protecting yourself and others against single or multiple attackers, 3) it is purely defensive and does not attack someone without ill-intent, 4) attackers rarely know your skill level, and 5) there are no rules in a street engagement.
DO YOU ACCEPT CHILDREN? WHAT ARE THE AGES THAT YOU ACCEPT?
The KaZoku Dojo does not accept young children at this time, although this may change in the future, so
contact us if interested. Normally we can accept anyone over 13, and younger than 13 on a case-by-case basis. There are no top end age limits, we let the individuals physical health dictate that.
DO YOU GIVE SEMINARS?
Yes