BushJitsu

06/06/2026

Prerequisites.

What do you need to start Jiu Jitsu?!

The most common misconception we hear is that you need to be “in shape”.
You can start at any level of fitness (even zero!) and Jiu Jitsu will actually HELP get you in shape. Work at your own pace, do what you can, and keep showing up. The fitness will follow.

The next is skill. Thinking you need a background in martial arts to be able to learn. A PHD in Physiology to understand what’s going on.
Turn up at any level of ability (even zero!), do what you can, keep showing up, and the skill will follow.

The final misconception is “being competitive”. Whilst there are plenty of competitors, and even competition classes catered to those looking to dominate the sport aspect - there are FAR more jiu jitsu practitioners who are there purely for the hobby. There for the community, the camaraderie, and the fitness/skill aquisition aspect.
You do not have to be Captain World Champion (CWC) to be a part of (and enjoy) Jiu Jitsu.

It’s a welcoming crowd. Humble and happy to help.

The only thing you DO need, to take part and get involved, is the ability to leave your ego at the door and be ok with starting at zero.
Being ok with feeling out of your comfort zone, being ok feeling like you don’t know anything, and enjoying the fact that there is so much ahead of you to learn and refine.

Everyone starts at zero. Even Captain World Champion had to start there.
Forget all the pre-conceived notions about it all and just turn up to a class.
It. Is. Fun. (Challenging.. but FUN).

The most common thing we here after that?
“I wish I started sooner”.

04/06/2026

Improvement!

In order to improve, you have to be ok with looking foolish.
Particularly in a sport like Jiu Jitsu.

Sure, you can stick to your ‘A’ game and hit the same moves over and over.
The stuff you know you are good at.
The moves you know have worked for you before.
BUT!
Throwing yourself in the deep end with new ideas, new techniques, and different approaches, will ultimately lead to new heights in your overall game.

Take a few steps back to take even more steps forward.

The hard part is putting it into practice.
Suddenly you aren’t as efficient or effective. You start “losing” rounds you would normally “win”.
You feel as though you are getting worse!

But remember this;
The goal of training is DEVELOPMENT, not VICTORY.

No one cares who “wins” at training.

Compete to win.
Train to improve.

Or don’t.
You do you, playa.
I’m not your dada, so why listen to any of this nonsense, aye?

Go full noise and out muscle newbies. Roll exclusively with people smaller, less experienced, and less athletic.

Be the big fish in the small pond….

Woo!

02/06/2026

31/05/2026

Complicated Grapplers - NOGI Edition.
(Let’s get real, let’s go deep).

As an avid advocate of any and all alliteration, and an astute aquirer of alphabet based astonishment, I assume almost anyone admits to a small amount of admiration for the average analogy.

What is NoGi?
Best described as Lycra-Based Shenanigans™️ (LBS).
All the usual grappling antics, just without any pyjamas.

Jiu Jitsu, bereft of friction.

Think of holding on to a dry, exhausted and leathery old ‘Alligator’ (that’s probably not how you spell mums name, sorry).
That’s Yes-Gi.

Now think of trying to hold on to a slippery, freshly caught, super caffienated Eel.
That’s NoGi.

Speed and athleticism count for more in NoGi.
Cardio gets tested in a whirlwind of scrambling, sliding, and ripping out of ‘almost-subs’ in NoGi.
The Grapplers variation of Peacock Feathers are on display, through wildly coloured rashguards and questionably tight pants, in NoGi.

…some folks even elect to wear spats without shorts - a cardinal sin - looking like Combat David Bowie (CDB) but without the labryinth.

NoGi is so much more than just rolling around in lycra.
Honestly.
It’s also…
Umm….
Hm…

28/05/2026

Hey there, stranger!

Reckon you could do with a bit more grunt, a bit more confidence, and a solid yarn (plus a few laughs) each week?

Bush Jitsu is where it’s at.

Doesn’t matter if you’ve never stepped on the mats, haven’t trained since the dinosaurs roamed, or just feel like having a good ol’ wrestle with your mates - no flash gear needed, no ego, no pressure. Just rock up and give it a whirl.

Learn the ropes step by step, look after each other, gain some new skills, and head home feeling better than when you walked in.

Monday ladies class? Top notch. Relaxed vibes, solid support, and a good crew of wāhine lifting each other up.

We’ve got sessions for everyone - from fresh-faced Noobs right through to the seasoned Advanced crew. Take a peek at the schedule on our website for class times and all the finer details

First two classes are on the house. Too easy.
Jump on bushjitsu.co.nz and get amongst it.

See y’all on the mats 🤙

24/05/2026

Mental Milestones.

The misconception when it comes to Martial Arts is that you are learning to be “violent”.

The reality is, that you learn how to control emotions, build mental resilience, and become confident enough in yourself that you don’t need to be “violent”.

You find out what it means to be truely humbled.
To know struggle, and to find a way to push through it.
You learn the importance of trust, discipline, and humility.
Understanding situational awareness and staying calm under pressure.
Controlling your emotions.

All whilst building a skillset that, if absolutely necessary, will help to keep you safe and defend yourself.

Confidence is key when it comes to bullyproofing our kids.
We have reached out to a couple of local schools to sponsor kids struggling with being bullied - full scholarships that include training fees and all the necessary gear - yet, the response has been along the lines of “we don’t want to be seen encouraging violence”.

It’s a very antiquated way of viewing Martial Arts.

We build the kids up, in a safe and supportive environment, where the number one goal is FUN!

If you know of someone in need - someone struggling with bullying or low self esteem - send them our way.

We. Can. Help.

Achieve mental milestones and build character and confidence.

Jiu Jitsu is AWESOME!

20/05/2026

RELAX.

Learning to relax.. the first and BIGGEST challenge you will face in Jiu Jitsu.

All those years our hairy ancestors ran away from Mammoths, Sabre Tooth Tigers, and the Odd Angry Moa (OAM), has instilled a fight or flight response to physical conflict - so deeply engrained in our DNA - that it’s guna take a bit of work to switch it off.

Coming to terms with getting squashed, having your breathing restricted, and having your limbs bent in ways they aren’t supposed to bend… it’s a bit of a process.

You quickly (some quicker than others) figure out you are in a safe space. Your training partner is working with you, not against you. The goal of the training session is developement, not victory.

Suddenly you RELAX.

You go with the flow.
Your breathing stabilises, your brain fog lifts, your heart rate drops, and you start to actually LEARN.

It’s a cool feeling;
Being in control.
Being comfortable in uncomfortable situations.
Being cool, calm, and collected, in the face of adversity.

It’s more than just sweaty hugs.
(Not much more.. but definitely more).

Channel your inner “Frankie Goes to Hollywood”.
Take out the claymation dude.
Pull a Bluesteel.

It’s all deadly.

17/05/2026

Communication!

On a buzz about this in the gym alot lately..
Maximising our training time by talking to each other about the specifics we are working, whilst practicing them.

Not just having a yarn about your bosses new scarf, the latest episode of survivor, or how your oldest guinea pig has suddenly turned vegan..

We mean talking through the techniques, asking each other about the position/submission/whatever it may be, and giving each other live (constructive!) feedback.

It helps. Alot.

It helps you relax and flow, instead of gritting your teeth and trying to force your way through everything.
It helps you tighten up the holes in your game that can only be spotted from the outside.
It even helps build a report with that new member whose name you can never remember..

Communicating whilst drilling is excellent.

Now, here’s the catch;
Incessant correcting, explaining how “I do it different, bro”, and just making noise for the sake of it… that’s not helping.
Asserting dominance by explaining your technical superiority during a partner drill.. that’s not helping.

Communicate when necessary.
Help someone when they ask for help.

Keep it real.

Then when it comes time for sparring, have a shush…

14/05/2026

Cleanliness PSA:
To all the grappling bros and brosephines out there…
Winter moisture is here, y’alllll!

With that, we will just do a quick reminder on being clean and preventing any nasty-ness.

The gym is insanely cleansed every day (several times a day, in fact..!) and we do everything possible to keep the place bacteria free (some call it over the top - we call it necessary).

However, there are still things outside of our control (spotted a few nasties at the last couple comps - please do body checks, refs!), so, here are some general rules;

If you come from work, another sport, or another gym (weights included) - use the shower and chuck on some fresh gears pre-training. Our gym is as clean as clean gets, but we can’t say the same for any others.

Shower Immediately (or soon as humanly possible) After Training: This is perhaps the most crucial step in preventing skin infections etc. Use antibacterial soap and pay particular attention to areas prone to sweating, such as the armpits, groin, and feet.

Wash Your Training Gear After Every Session: Gi’s, belts, rash guards, shorts and spats should be washed thoroughly with detergent after each use. Consider using a disinfectant laundry additive for extra protection.

Keep Your Nails Short and Clean: Long nails can trap dirt and bacteria, increasing the risk of spreading ‘gross-ness’.

Avoid Sharing Personal Items: Never share towels, lollypop sticks, or other personal items with training partners.

Cover Any Cuts or Abrasions: Use a waterproof bandage to protect any open wounds from exposure to bacteria and viruses on the mats.

Wear Clean Training Attire: Always wear freshly laundered training clothes. Avoid wearing the same gear for multiple sessions without washing it.

In summary: Don’t be yuck.

No one wants to train with the smelly kid.

Let’s all stay germ free. I bet it’s way cooler than germ-e.

10/05/2026

Kids these days…

It’s not all hula hoops and pac-man video games anymore. Now it’s 10th place ribbons and “cyber-bullying” (feel old just typing that..).

Our next generation of device-driven youngsters (DDY) are learning structure, focus and humility - all through a physically and mentally demanding sport.
They burn off some steam, whilst learning new skills, and making new friends.
It’s a sight to behold!

Jiu Jitsu builds confidence. It’s a fact.
We have enough amazing stories of big life changes - in our gym alone - to back that up.

These little savages need an outlet.
A safe, supportive, and welcoming outlet.
These little animals need a community.
A safe, supportive, and welcoming community.
It takes a village to raise these little warriors.

We have that.

The pride of our club - from toddlers to teens - The Bush Kids.

Got a youngster in need of a boost?
Wherever you are, get in touch.
There are some amazing gyms dotted all over NZ that can help. We can help find the right one for you.