The origin and development of ju-jitsu is open to much debate.However,the historians seem to agree that ju-jitsu derived from ancient Asian styles of hand-to-hand combat.The warriors of Japan developed their own methods of throwing,locking and striking. Many of the techniques can only be described as brutal.They would use their ju-jitsu if they found themselves disarmed or partially disarmed on the battlefield.In time,more effective fighting skills and defenses developed and became formalized and ju-jitsu schools were founded.Ju-Jitsu was often referred to as ‘secret techniques’ and teachers gave instructions to selected students behind closed doors.There is something for everyone in ju-jitsu.One may practice it for self-defense,as a personal challenge,to acquire a skill,or simply to become fitter.The great value of ju-jitsu is not simply in its practical application for the purposes of self-defense;as a system it offers more than just battlefield techniques for defeating an enemy.The practice of modern ju-jitsu offers physical training alongside the cultivation of social attitudes and moral values.It is the great paradox of the martial arts that those who practise them achieve peace through the study of the arts of war & violence.The benefits of ju-jitsu training are consequently mental as well as physical; confidence will therefore increase along with co-ordination.Women,children and older people will feel more confident in learning sel-defense techniques based on co-ordinated movements that do not require the user to develop the immense physical power needed by the competitive judoka and which can be seen to be effective even against a physically much stronger attacker.Fitness is also part of our primary focus.Timing,skill,speed and confidence are crucial factors when defending yourself.However,being fit should be a natural result of ju-jitsu training and is never a disadvantage since physical fitness is very important,both for daily life and for getting through long,hard training sessions.The fitter you are,the more effectively you can improve your skills and,in all probabilty,the healthier you will be.