Martial arts seminar

Like last year, we are cooperating with some of the other martial arts groups of NTNUI and arranging a martial arts exchange seminar, where we get to try several sports related to our own, in one day at sunday march 17th. We will (at least) have judo, karate, taekwondo and aikido and divide the time between us so we get to try everything. This was very fun last time, and I highly reccomend it! Because of the space in the Dragvoll dojo, we have about five spots available (+1 sensei Georg) for us judo guys. So please let me know if you want to join, I might need volunteers 😉 and its also cool to try. It will be a Norwegian sandwich lunch together between practises, and thereby the seminar has a small price of 50NOK.

Plan for the seminar Sunday march 17th:

11:00-13:00: Practise

13:00-15:00: Lunch at campus Dragvoll

15:00-17:00: Practise

I am looking forward to it! Here are some pictures from last time to allure you:

Practises spring 2019

Happy new year, welcome to a new judo year and thanks for last time (a very enjoyable christmas feast with baking, mulled wine, xmas beer, french plum spirits, gingerbread and clementines)! This semester we will have a couple exciting changes. Firstly, from first practice of the semester, on monday 7th of january, we are practising on Sit Dragvoll gym. Some of you might remember the dojo there from the martial arts seminar we had with aikido, ju-jitsu, taekwondo and karate last year. This is a nice dojo, that is bigger than the one on Gløshaugen, and has mats that does not have as painfully much friction. I hope this new location can attract even more exchange students and campus Dragvoll and Moholt students. In the beginning of the semester, it is usually no problem getting a free pass to try practising, before getting membership.

We also hope all our old members joins us at Dravoll for practise, at Samfundet for social beers, seminars, graduation and other social events in 2019.

The second change right now is the practise hours which are:

Monday: 19:30 – 21:00

Wednesday: 19:30 – 21:00

To all our new members, I recommend you to join our Facebook-side, and I wish you welcome to practise!

– Sensei Georg

End of semester + graduation + social + construction update

The semester is going towards the end and the gym is going to have some reconstruction. The construction begins at monday 10th, making our last practise wednesday 5th of december. The week after, at thursday 13th, we are therefore planning to do something social; drink gløgg (mulled wine), make gingerbread or something else (open for suggestion).

Before that, graduation will be on monday 3rd. This is a useful experience wether you are graduating or not, so please join anyhow (curriculum on the old website linked on the front page). Graduation including a new belt costs 200 NOK for yellow and 100 NOK for others, but you only pay you make the next rank (and want proof). Feel free to ask questions in advance. This is paid to same account as usual: 8601 51 63471, mark with: “[Name] + graduation”.

Next semester our location will either be at campus Kalvskinnet, a gym in Nardo or at the Sit Dragvoll dojo. We are probably back at Gløshaugen in august.

my best to you,
Georg (George/Georges/Geórgios/György/Jorge/Jurj)

Social beer

At practise this week, we agreed on taking a social beer at Samfundet after practise on monday. It is alway nice and different to get to know eachother outside the dojo and talk about anything and everything. A great social environment makes great practises by increasing teamwork and teamfeel. This is why I hope everybody who can, joins this practise, or even just the social beer. It might also be a good idea to bring your water bottle and towel to practise to stay hydrated and clean until we go down the hill to Samfundet together 🙂 Here you can buy many kinds of beer ofcourse, but also whiskey (Güray), water, wine, milkshake, food, cake or whatever if you want something else. Join!

Guest blog: How Judo Training Can Improve & Maintain Your Mental Health

Judo has been around since 1882 and the benefits of this art shine brightly. Throughout time, judokas (those who practice judo) have been known for having incredible athletic attributes, like strength, balance, and flexibility.

Mentally, a judoka (a judo practitioner) has enhanced self-confidence, the courage to face their fears, and incredible mental fortitude. Many have stood in front of a daunting challenge and each step one takes will come with its own set of challenges that the individual must face to further progress their motivation and discipline. A great deal of time and effort is crucial to master this martial arts discipline and most people will ‘fail’ to do so, but when the student finally succeeds they will feel completely accomplished and euphoric.

 

The mental benefits that are associated with the practice of judo combat the harmful effects that correlate with anxiety. Those who suffer from an anxiety disorder are affected every day. It loves to haunt us on a daily basis playing “the boy who cried wolf” – telling us of a false danger that does not exist.

When we give a presentation to our colleagues, when we have to approach our boss, or even when we have to make a phone call, anxiety likes to make it seem like the world is going to end through narrating the worst possible outcome of each situation. This can be very damaging to our relationships, occupations, and our general health. It is reported that anxiety disorders are the most commonly diagnosed mental illness in America affecting 40 million US citizens.

Many take prescription drugs like Xanax (The 5th most prescribed drug in the US) to help them cope with their illness. Alcohol abuse is also common to those with anxiety issues. When people experience a panic attack they will turn to anything that will help them calm down. What’s more is that 10% – 20% of anxiety disorder patients report having abused alcohol or other drugs. Those who attempt to fix their problems with drugs or alcohol can develop a dual diagnosis, which is also known as a co-occurring disorder. When one has fostered a co-occurring disorder, it can lead to a myriad of harmful side-effects such as extreme mood swings, excessive worrying or fear, and more.

 

There are a variety of different ways to combat this. Many are starting to use non 12 step rehab as a channel of recovery when they go in for treatment, as this shares many parallels with the ideals of Judo. When recovering with holistic treatment methods like these, the focus is on the person’s mind, body, and soul to find healthy alternatives in relieving stress.

Participating in any activity that physically works out the body releases endorphins in the brain which places the person who is exercising in an idyllic state of mind. It reduces the feelings of anxiety and depression and increases confidence. Judo Itself takes a holistic approach pertaining to the mind, body, and soul also known as the human trinity. This metaphor represents our personal balance in life; when a person has all three of these elements working together they are in harmony, and when one is failing they are in disharmony.

Spirituality (the mind) of Judo comes from learning from one’s mistakes. When one is able to discover their mistake, fix it, and not make that same mistake twice, they begin to develop inner harmony.  A personal spirituality in Judo increases our self-appreciation and individuation.

It has been shown time and time again that practicing Judo, or other disciplines such as Tai Chi, has led to a reduction in both anxiety and depression. It is argued that the practice of martial arts acts as a consequence of enhanced self-regulation, which develops willpower and discipline. When a student is faced with arduous training, and they continue to follow through with the training regardless of how grueling it may be, this is how they make themselves disciplined.

 

The lifestyle that correlates with judo not only teaches each student discipline, athletics, and mindfulness, it also provides motivation to have a healthy diet and practice effective habits to develop an overall routine that ventures toward the perfection of one’s character. The constant practice of this sport emphasizes the benefits of exercise and the progression of creating a peaceful mind.

 

In each dojo, there is a family and each member is welcome. The culture that resides in Judo is supportive. Each member helps each other out to become a better version of oneself. Every opponent that you face will be different, and it will always be an uphill battle, but like a koi fish swimming upstream, the challenge will always be present and combat sports like Judo will help prepare your mind, body, and soul to take on each challenge as it comes along.

 

By David Bugg, contributor writer for BookMartialArts.com. Throughout David’s time in academia, he has found a passion for writing about the human mind, addiction, mental health, martial arts and western culture. He practices judo in his spare time and plans to continue forward in his training to obtain a first-hand perspective of the benefits of practicing martial arts.

Fall semester 2018

First practise of the semester will be on monday 27th! Be there or be square! Through the semester we will practise both techniques and fighting. Hopefully we will have some joint practises and activities with the other martial arts groups of NTNUI, as we have before, and of course have a good time within our group.  We will adapt our practises to fit your needs and help you get a better judoka! At the end of the semester, the beginners and  intermediates who are ready, get a chance to graduate and get a new belt.

The training hours are unchanged until further notice. Here is a reminder of them:

Mondays: 19:30 – 21:00

Wednesdays: 19:00 – 21:00

Dont hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.