About 20 people turned out for a free Bojutsu introductory class at Kim’s Taekwondo dojo on Saturday.
The class, put on by Bojutsu Moose Jaw, taught the fundamentals in the martial art of using a staff weapon or Bo.
“Any students that are interested, it gives them a good opportunity to come and try it out, see if it’s a good fit for them,” said head instructor Nathan Douglas.
Colin Robertson took part in the introductory class. While he has done martial arts before, it was first foray into Bojutsu.
“I generally have a historical interest in martial arts and I also through it might be a decent workout,” Robertson said.
Douglas added that Bojutsu is a good alternative to a standard workout.
“It allows for modifiable skills for any fitness level and it’s accessible to any age,” he said.
Bojutsu Moose Jaw offers beginner, intermediate and advanced levels of classes with the Bo as well as secondary weapons.
“The primary weapon of focus is a Bo, but we do work on traditional Japanese weapons too which would include Sai, Tonfa, Bokken and Nunchaks,” Douglas said.
Bojutsu Moose Jaw generally holds free introductory classes before every session. This session begins Jan. 6 and runs until the end of May. They will break for the summer and return with another session in the fall that will last until December.
Douglas says he has students ranging in age from seven to people in their mid-60s participating from the variety of reasons.
“Some students like it for the visual aspects, some like it for the workout, some like it for the traditional aspect — which would be doing forms and structure type work — and some like it for combative purposes or self-defence,” he said.
More information can be found can be found on Bojutsu Moose Jaw’s Facebook page and website.
