Dojo Delight For Martial Artists
6 February 2009
Students practising martial arts at the new dojo in Buxton.
We will be able to structure our teaching more effectively now and invite guest instructors to do workshops and demonstrations
”Charles Spring, Programme Leader for the Joint Honours Martial Arts Theory and Practice degree, and sports related courses.
Martial artists in Buxton are set to follow in the footsteps of some of the world's famous martial artists - including Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin - by practising their moves in a new dojo.
Dojo is Japanese for 'place of the Tao' which refers to the formal gathering place for students for martial arts. The University of Derby has just opened a new facility in the town for its exponents.
Judo expert Putin is president of the Yawara Dojo in St Petersberg where he practised when he was young. He still takes part in the discipline and is now a sixth Dan.
The University hopes its own dedicated dojo will inspire some of the emerging artists of tomorrow to hone their skills and rise to the top of their practice.
The University's dojo, which is based at the Harpur Hill site in Buxton, will be used primarily by students on the Martial Arts Theory and Practice degree course but also by students on other sports programmes. The dojo will also be used to run workshops for the local community and to host guest demonstrations from visiting martial arts experts.
Charles Spring, Programme Leader for the Joint Honours Martial Arts Theory and Practice degree, and sports related courses at the University of Derby said: "The new dojo will enable our students to immerse themselves in their studies and gain valuable experiential learning in a way that has not been possible until now.
"This new facility means that we'll be able to deliver the modules is a much more focussed way and it means that the students will be able to book the space to run their own sessions and train when they want to."
Historically dojos were joined to temples and they often observe strict rules of etiquette.
Charles added: "Until now we've had to pack the equipment away between sessions but having the dojo as a dedicated space means we can leave the mats on the ground and the equipment is always to hand giving us more flexibility and access to learn and teach.
"We will be able to structure our teaching more effectively now and invite guest instructors to do workshops and demonstrations."
The Martial Arts programme is in its fourth year and is continuing to gain recognition at home and abroad.
Many of the students studying on the programme compete at a high level in disciplines such as Tae Kwon-do, Thai Boxing, different styles of Kung Fu and Judo. It's their hope that the new facility will give them a place to hone their skills and develop their competitive edge.
Jason Harrison, a student on the Joint Honours in Martial Arts and Holistic Sports Therapy said: "Having the new dojo will improve the course loads. It will give us a space to help condition ourselves and prepare for the arts as well as providing a place to train and learn different disciplines."
Students on the Joint Honours in Martial Arts Theory and Practice explore different aspects of philosophical thinking linking religion, philosophy and modern martial arts. They focus on child protection, motivational techniques and the evolution of modern martial arts.
They build a deep knowledge and understanding of the martial arts industry and gain an awareness of how martial arts can be applied in a variety of settings.
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For further media information please Annabel Harvey, 01332 593004, or email at a.harvey@derby.ac.uk or Simon Redfern, 01332 591942 s.redfern@derby.ac.uk.
