Judo
What Is Judo?
Judo is a martial art built on balance, control, and using your opponent’s movement against them. Instead of striking, Judo focuses on throws, pins, and simple submissions to control a situation. Students of all ages learn how to move, stay safe, and throw with confidence while protecting their own bodies.
At Dark Bear Jiu Jitsu in Staten Island, we teach Judo as a fun, safe, and practical way to build fitness, self-defense skills, and discipline. You don’t need to be strong or experienced to start. Our adult martial arts classes welcome complete beginners, women, teens, and families.
Who Should train Judo?
Who Benefits from Judo?
Judo is perfect for:
Adults looking for a safe way to get fit and gain confidence.
Women seeking martial arts for self-defense without heavy striking.
Teens who want discipline, focus, and a positive outlet.
Families looking for a fun, bonding experience in a family martial arts program.
Athletes looking to build balance, strength, and agility for other sports.
Fitness and Self-Defense Benefits of Judo
Every Judo class gives you a full-body workout while teaching practical self-defense. Throws and pins develop strong legs, a solid core, and better balance. You’ll burn calories, improve flexibility, and learn how to handle yourself in real-world situations without resorting to strikes.
Because Judo teaches safe falling and control, it’s one of the best adult self-defense classes for men, women, and teens. You’ll gain confidence, reduce fear in physical encounters, and develop calm decision-making skills.
What to Expect in a Judo Class
Each 90-minute session includes:
Warm-Up: Mobility, balance drills, and safe falling practice.
Technique Instruction: Learn step-by-step throws, grips, or pins.
Partner Practice: Work with a partner to apply techniques.
Live Rounds: Optional, controlled sparring for students ready to test their skills.
Classes are safe, beginner-friendly, and scalable for all levels. Our black belt instructors guide you at your pace, making sure you build confidence every step of the way.
Why Train at Dark Bear Jiu Jitsu?
Why Judo Over Karate and Taekwondo?
While Karate and Taekwondo teach striking and kicks, they often lack practical solutions for grabs or ground situations. Most real-life conflicts involve grabbing or takedowns, where striking arts struggle.
Judo fills that gap. It’s one of the strongest martial arts for adults and women because it focuses on control, leverage, and safe self-defense without needing to strike.
Brief History of Judo
Judo was founded in Japan by Jigoro Kano in 1882. He created Judo by refining older jujutsu techniques, focusing on throws, safe falling, and pins. Judo spread worldwide, becoming both an Olympic sport and a trusted self-defense art.
Take the First Step – Your Free Class
Sign up now for a FREE Judo trial class at Dark Bear Jiu Jitsu. No experience needed. No gear required. Join the best Staten Island martial arts school and start your journey today.
Here’s what makes our school the top Brazilian martial arts center on Staten Island:
Affordable memberships with unlimited classes.
Classes available six days a week to fit your schedule.
All instructors are experienced black belts with years of teaching and competition success.
Soft mats designed to absorb impact, protecting your body during training.
Free seminars, watch parties, and full coaching support for those who want to compete.
We also teach using the ecological dynamics framework and constraint-led approach, a modern training method that gets students better, faster. Instead of endless, boring drills, we use real scenarios and problem-solving to help you retain skills and build confidence quickly.