RIKI JUDO DOJO - Original, Authentic and Traditional
Irrashaimasei! Welcome!
Youth and Adult Classes
Youth and Adult Classes
What we teach........Riki Judo
Dojo located in Mesa, AZ in the Phoenix, AZ metropolitan area, is dedicated to teaching and practicing original, authentic and traditional Kodokan Judo
as Professor Jigoro Kano, its' founder, had originally intended. While many of
today's Judo schools are strictly competition oriented; Riki Judo Dojo is knowledge,
skills and abilities dedicated. Your knowledge, skills and abilities will help you prevail in competition, at school, at work, at home and throughout your life. Whether you want to compete in Judo
tournaments, learn self-defense or just want a martial art that will help you
stay fit and healthy, you will enjoy and succeed in Kodokan Judo at Riki Judo
Dojo.
When we teach........Riki Judo
Dojo has classes Monday through Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. Monthly
dues are reasonable and allow you to come as many times as you desire and there
is no contract. See our schedule section for times and class descriptions.
Classes are held on our Olympic Games quality Judo tatami (mats) that sit
atop 1,500 shock absorbing foam blocks making Riki Judo Dojo's practice area
very safe when falling. At Riki Judo Dojo we stress "safety first"
during all classes.
Who teaches........Riki sensei,
with over 50 years of Kodokan Judo, Japanese Jujitsu, Karate and other martial
arts experience, teaches the classes. He is assisted by his lead student and
dedicated follower for over 10 years, Al Baley. Riki sensei has been teaching
for 30 years after competing for 20 years at the national and international
level. Riki sensei requires all the high
ranking students to help beginners, youth, and lower ranking students achieve
success in their Judo endeavors. Riki sensei ensures that all members
understand and practice mutual respect, mutual welfare and mutual benefit at
all times - in Japanese this is called Jita Kyoei and is a core principle of
Kodokan Judo created by Professor Kano.
Principle taught.......Seiroku Zenyo
or "best use of energy" is the core principle of Kodokan Judo as created by Professor Kano. Best use of energy is simply; maximum efficiency
with minimum effort. A person of small stature can overcome a larger and
stronger opponent by using this principle. Technique will win over brute
strength. Riki sensei's teaching method keeps this principle at the forefront
of all his classes.
Roots of Judo - Kata.......... Kata are the prearranged forms of techniques that tell a story as they demonstrate attack and defense and are tied to Seiroku Zenyo or best use of
energy. The katas include throwing techniques, grappling techniques and striking techniques. Riki sensei studied these kata in Japan from high ranking teachers at
the Kodokan, the world renowned Judo school in Tokyo, and the Tokyo Police
Academy where he studied and practiced methods of reality based self-defense. Riki Judo Dojo is the only Judo school in Arizona that teaches and practices Kodokan Judo Kata, the roots of original Judo, on a weekly basis.
Great for our Youth........Youth Judo
classes are fun, exciting, challenging, rewarding and most importantly a HEALTHY activity. Youth Judo classes are
geared toward helping young Judo students, from 6 years old and up, develop skills and
abilities that enrich their lives both physically and mentally. Riki sensei
teaches discipline, focus, and mutual respect and welfare; skills that will help them in school, at
home and throughout their life. The Riki Judo Dojo motto is "Ippatsu
Shobu" which means "Go For Broke", "Do Your Best",
"Give It All You Got", "Don't Give Up". These are not just
sayings, they are a way of life, and they build self-esteem and
self-confidence. Riki sensei wants all youth students to apply these sayings at
school, at home and in their community. Our youth members have special 5 dedicated classes on Monday, Wednesday,Thursday and Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. Riki sensei encourages parents to bring their young Judo student to at least one adult session per week. Practicing with adults helps the young student mitigate fear, generate confidence and improve self esteem.
