Jiu-jitsu for mental health

Our sessions

Our sessions are led by an experienced coach with a personal and professional understanding of mental health. You may take part in as little or as much as you want and work at your own pace and comfort level.

“When you have an opponent sitting on top of you and trying to choke you into unconsciousness, it is psychologically impossible to devote mental resources to worrying about the rent, school, or work. In such situations, our brain recognises a survival situation, and forces us to focus with intensity on our immediate experiences.”

– Psychology Today

What will I learn?

• The difference between sport jiu-jitsu and self-defence
• The key positions used in jiu-jitsu (guards, mount, back control, etc.)
• Positional control
• Defence from key positions and attacks (escapes)
• How to take an opponent to the ground (takedowns and throws)
• How to submit your opponent on the ground (joint locks and chokes)
• Guard passing
• Sweeps
• And much more

Who are these sessions suitable for?

• All genders ages 18 years and over
• People who have been diagnosed with mental ill-health
• People who are mindful of looking after their mental health
• People are looking to gain more confidence or feel empowered
• People who are unsure of how much physical contact they are comfortable with but would like to give it a go
• All backgrounds, cultures and religious beliefs
• LGBTQI people

Before you arrive

Please fill out our online waiver and contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

What to wear

If you own a gi or have one you can borrow, wear that. If not, you can wear sports clothes.

We recommend wearing comfortable sports trousers that don’t restrict your movement and a slim-fitting top so it doesn’t get caught on anything. Wearing a rash guard is recommended if you own one.

No shoes are allowed on the mat, so all training will be barefoot.

What to bring

• A water bottle
• A small gym towel
• Thongs (to wear while off the mat)

Facilities

• Changing rooms with showers and toilets
• Free parking directly outside and on the street
• Large mat space with air-conditioned heating and cooling
• A quiet space will be available if participants would like to take time out