Judo is a tremendous and dynamic combat sport that demands both physical prowess and great mental discipline. From a standing position it involves techniques that allow you to lift and throw your opponents onto their backs. On the ground it includes techniques that allow you to pin your opponents down to the ground control them and apply various chokeholds or joint locks until submission.

Judo originated in Japan as a derivative of the various martial arts developed and used by the samurai and feudal warrior class over hundreds of years. Although many of the techniques of judo originated from arts that were designed to hurt maim or kill opponents in actual field battle the techniques of judo were modified so that judo students can practice and apply these techniques safely and without hurting opponents:

* Judo does not involve kicking punching or striking techniques of any kind.

* Judo does not involve the application of pressure against the joints to throw an opponent.

* Judo involves no equipment or weapons of any sort.

Instead judo simply involves two individuals who by gripping the judo uniform or judogi use the forces of balance power and movement to attempt to subdue each other. Thus it is simple and basic. In its simplicity however lies its complexity and mastery of even the most basic of judo techniques that often take considerable time effort and energy involving rigorous physical and mental training.