Proffesor Ikuta Makoto Seminar and Class: Kowloon BJJ, 2-3 November
I think I speak for all participants when I say that it was really great having the opportunity to train with and learn from Prof. Ikuta Makato. His approach to teaching was wonderful and very modern, by making students think and question as to "why" you do a move in a certain way and the fundamental principals behind each step and position to the finest detail. And that is what comes to mind when I think of Prof. Ikuta’s BJJ game: technique refined and perfected to the finest detail.
As Prof. Ikuta made very clear in his seminar, understanding the importance of the principles behind each movement with respect to proper positioning, space and efficiency of movement without power is key to developing great technique, and just as important as the physical application of the move. As he made clear in his lecture, if we can understand the principles behind the movements, then we can learn to make successful adjustments when needed in real-time whilst sparring. In addition, he also encouraged us in the future to consider ways in which we can begin to create our own jiu-jitsu techniques based on these fundamental concepts of positioning, space and movement. On the second full day of his visit, we had the honor of Prof. Ikuta heading one of our regular weekly classes. During this session, he taught us some great tumbling warm-up movements, as well as an armbar and triangle drill using only hips with no hands. Once again, during the class he continually emphasized the importance of performing the movements without the utilization of power to improve technique and efficiency of application. Since his leaving, we have already begun to integrate these movements, drills and concepts into our regular classes.And finally, as those who would be meeting him for the first time quickly discovered, Prof. Ikuta is truly one of the nicest and most generous guys in the BJJ community that one will ever meet. So, all of us at Kowloon BJJ need to give a big thanks to Kei, Taki, Kubo and others who helped develop this great contact with Prof. Ikuta of Trust Jiu-jitsu. And I think I speak for all of us here in Hong Kong when I say that we can’t wait for our next opportunity to visit and train with him and his team in the near future.
I think I speak for all participants when I say that it was really great having the opportunity to train with and learn from Prof. Ikuta Makato. His approach to teaching was wonderful and very modern, by making students think and question as to "why" you do a move in a certain way and the fundamental principals behind each step and position to the finest detail. And that is what comes to mind when I think of Prof. Ikuta’s BJJ game: technique refined and perfected to the finest detail.
As Prof. Ikuta made very clear in his seminar, understanding the importance of the principles behind each movement with respect to proper positioning, space and efficiency of movement without power is key to developing great technique, and just as important as the physical application of the move. As he made clear in his lecture, if we can understand the principles behind the movements, then we can learn to make successful adjustments when needed in real-time whilst sparring. In addition, he also encouraged us in the future to consider ways in which we can begin to create our own jiu-jitsu techniques based on these fundamental concepts of positioning, space and movement. On the second full day of his visit, we had the honor of Prof. Ikuta heading one of our regular weekly classes. During this session, he taught us some great tumbling warm-up movements, as well as an armbar and triangle drill using only hips with no hands. Once again, during the class he continually emphasized the importance of performing the movements without the utilization of power to improve technique and efficiency of application. Since his leaving, we have already begun to integrate these movements, drills and concepts into our regular classes.And finally, as those who would be meeting him for the first time quickly discovered, Prof. Ikuta is truly one of the nicest and most generous guys in the BJJ community that one will ever meet. So, all of us at Kowloon BJJ need to give a big thanks to Kei, Taki, Kubo and others who helped develop this great contact with Prof. Ikuta of Trust Jiu-jitsu. And I think I speak for all of us here in Hong Kong when I say that we can’t wait for our next opportunity to visit and train with him and his team in the near future.
Forrest Akers, KLN BJJ
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