THRIVE BUDO

At Thrive Martial Arts, we foster an environment where self-defence, fitness, and community intertwine. Our dojo provides a holistic approach to martial arts training, where members not only enhance their physical abilities but also foster a sense of camaraderie within our supportive community. Embracing the rich heritage of our two arts, our curriculum blends traditional techniques and knowledge with modern interpretations.

Aikido, also known as the Art of Peace is often a misunderstood martial art. Aikido has its origins from Daito Ryu Aiki Jujutsu, one of many Jujutsu schools derived from Samurai battlefield techniques. Today, an outsider may perceive Aikido far removed from its combative heritage and many practitioners themselves can often spend years trying to understand and discover the link between techniques of the past with modern practice.

Aikido was founded by O’Sensei (Great Teacher) Morihei Ueshiba, a famous martial art savant at the time who won many challenge matches against other practitioners of other disciplines. Over the years as Ueshiba developed deeper into his religious practice, his teachings of Aikido also evolved from that of familiar jiu-jitsu techniques but to also incorporate practice akin to cultivating the mind and body solely.

Jigoro Kano the founder of Judo was once impressed by Aiki-Budo as Aikido was known at the time that he despatched two of his students to learn from Ueshiba. Moreover, Kano knew the link between his form of Jiu-jitsu (Judo) and Ueshiba’s, that he referred to Aikido as his ideal Budo (martial arts).

Aikido is very much a traditional martial art practice like that of Kendo, Judo, and Karate. It is through immersive and authentic study that a practitioner can find Aikido’s true meaning and purpose. Aikido is very much a personal martial art study; a student can discover aspects of Aikido that resonates with them and as a result greatly enrich their personal life and study of Budo.

It stands to reason why Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ) is the fastest growing martial art today ever since proving itself in mixed martial art tournaments in the 1990s. Decades before which, BJJ grew its reputation in no holds barred / challenge matches in Brazil honing its reputation as a proven self-defence art.

The premise of BJJ is that a smaller and weaker person can defend oneself against a bigger and stronger assailant through leverage and technique, this makes BJJ ideal for every person. Moreover, BJJ is considered a complete martial art not only for its self-defence methodology but because it is also a sport. The competitive element of Jiu-jitsu allows a practitioner to develop not only their fitness but also their sporting character traits such as grit, resilience, and self-discipline.

The origins of BJJ derive from Judo, specifically ground fighting techniques (ne-waza) taught by Master Mitsuyo Maeda, a Japanese immigrant to Brazil in the early 1900s. Master Maeda found fame in Brazil as a result of his many challenge matches utilising his mastery of Judo or Kano Jiu-jitsu at the time. This prowess caught the eyes of the founders of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, brothers Carlos and Helio Gracie. Over time, the Gracie family adapted BJJ and made it their own. It is due to the Gracie family that BJJ developed into an international martial art and sport.

The teacher of Master Maeda was none other than the founder of Judo, Jigoro Kano. Kano’s aim was to separate Jujutsu techniques from its combative elements and nurture the sporting aspect, combining martial study and self-development with the hope that a practitioner becomes a valuable member of society.