The history of martial arts reaches back to before the advent of Christianity, and its styles are as individual and varied as Japanese calligraphic symbols. Martial arts dojos continue to draw students, and their numbers are steadily increasing, especially in the Nashville area. So if you’ve thought about investigating martial arts, but have no idea where to start, here’s a guide some of the most popular styles in the area.
Wado-Ryu (Japanese)
Pronounced wado-Ru and meaning “the way of peace,” this style was developed in 1934 in Japan and is the most commonly practiced style in the Middle Tennessee area. It is a direct descendant of traditional karate-Do, “the way of the empty hand.” A unique combination of mental and physical exercise, wado-ryu teaches basic techniques that most people associate with the martial arts: punches, blocks, kicks and some grappling techniques. It’s emphasis on commitment, discipline and respect make it especially appealing to parents looking to enroll children, although Wado offers benefits for people of all ages.
David Deaton and Max Scruggs, who have both been teaching martial arts for over 25 years, operate studios in the Nashville area. Deaton notes that wado-ryu offers students a means to sharpen focus as well as providing an outlet for relaxation outside of work. For Scruggs, it is a wonderful way to experience personal growth. To encourage family participation, he offers free classes for parents of students.
“Wado-Ryu really becomes art when the young kids rise through the ranks and begin to develop their own individual styles,” Scruggs says. He has taught numerous students who have gone on to compete nationally and internationally. “Competition is great in many ways,” Deaton offers, “but it is the day-to-day working of techniques that is the heart of martial arts. People who get the most out of Wado are dedicated and focused, and the great thing about all martial arts is that you can practice for all of your life.”
Initial enrollment at David Deaton Karate consists of a total of 50 lessons (two per week) at $12 per lesson, with studios in Brentwood, Hendersonville and Hermitage. Call 824-9111 for more information. Max Scruggs Karate offers lessons for all ages, including all-women lessons. 3604 Anderson Road. (Antioch). 361-0907; 3227 Clarksville Pike (Nashville). 251-9088.
Jeet Kune Do (Chinese & American)
At the height of his career in the late ’60s, Bruce Lee broke from traditional martial arts to pioneer a fighting style called jeet kune do, or “way of the intercepting fist,” which synthesizes classic martial arts with the street fighting Lee saw in the streets of America and China.
Kelly Butler is one of Nashville’s few instructors of this rare and somewhat renegade style. Butler’s lineage of trainers is two generations removed from Lee himself. Of his dojo, Butler says, “What we teach is not for little kids, because much of it can be extremely lethal. Jeet Kune Do is for people who are grown-up and want to be able to protect themselves in a real situation.” If it sounds intimidating, it is. “There’s self-perfection and self-preservation,” Butler expalins. “We just hone the natural motor skills and instinct for self-defense. Self-perfection can take years to learn with technique, meditation and internal work. They both have their place, but I would definitely start with self-preservation.” Adults who take Butler’s class can expect to learn techniques such as elbow and knee thrusting, gouging and submission holds.
Butler holds classes Mondays and Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays at 2:30 p.m at The Downtown Athletic Club. 520 Commerce St.; Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. at The Fairlane Fitness Center. 4898 Nolensville Rd. Lessons range from $50-$60 per month. Visit www.tennesseejkd.com or call 481-KICK for more information.
Jujitsu (Japanese)
An ancient art whose origin dates back four thousand years, jujitsu, “the gentle fighting art,” was an integral part of samurai training in feudal Japan. Unlike Karate and tae kwon do, which mainly emphasize kicks and punches, jujitsu relies on grappling techniques, joint-locks and throws to disarm an attacker. Close-quarter contact is the norm in this style, and one or both of the combatants usually end up on the ground.
Three-time National Jujitsu Champion Gary Bush has been an instructor of Ju-Jitsu in Nashville since 1979. His school trains dedicated students of all ages. “Jujitsu teaches that when you are pushed or attacked, you go with it rather than resist, and then take your enemy into a joint-lock or hold,” Bush says. “In this respect, it’s a very humane system of self-defense.” Though Bush’s students can expect to learn a set curriculum of techniques, history and etiquette, the focus is on real-time self-defense.
The U.S. Jujitsu Center is located in Bellevue at 140 Belle Forest Circle. Afternoon and evening classes are available for all ages. Call 662-1839 to set up an appointment. Costs are given out in person only.
Aikido (Japanese)
Translated as “the way of harmonizing spirit,” aikido is first and foremost a system of self-defense, similar to jujitsu in its grappling style, but to watch it in practice is like watching a ballet. Instead of meeting force with force, combatants move out of the way, blending with the attack and redirecting the attacker’s energy; in essence, harmonizing with the attacker’s spirit and then using that spirit against itself. As both combatants learn to take falls and roll out of them, an exchange takes on the appearance of a circular dance. Whereas in jujitsu, the attacker usually gets hurt, aikido philosophy states that one has a responsibility to his or her attacker. In combat, subjugation and protection become ends.
Tom and Mary McIntire have been training in aikido for over 20 years. Their dojo, Nashville Aikikai, has been in operation since 1988. Sensei (Japanese title for “teacher”) Mary McIntire explains, “There are really three levels of self-defense: one, in which you protect yourself and kill your attacker; a second, in which you maim your attacker; and a third, in which you simply subdue your attacker. It is actually more difficult to protect yourself and not hurt the other person, so from that angle, we look at our practice as an elevated martial arts style.” Aikido is rare in that there are no sanctioned competitions. The practice is the heart of the art.
Nashville Aikikai is located in Cannery Row at 521 Eighth Avenue S., Ste. 304. 248-2005. Classes are held every evening, and the dojo welcomes martial arts newcomers as well as children.
