So you want to learn a martial art? Look no further.
MIT offers eight very different combat sport clubs. Whether you want to learn self-defense or just get in shape, there is an option to suit your needs.
The following is a list, in no particular order, of each club and what they do. Remember: every instructor welcomes newcomers and no prior experience is necessary! Browse the complete list of clubs for more details and meeting times.
Aikido- Japanese Aikido is grappling centric, self-defense oriented, non-competitive, and taught in a small group. This style is different from other options on this list because it is ultimately pacifist; practitioners seek not to harm their assailants. Both philosophically and physically students of Aikido attempt to expend minimal effort for maximum results through an intimate understanding of balance, fluidity of poise, and body mechanics.
(Zhe Lu): “Instead of clashing with the energy of attack we try to manipulate it and utilize it to become the energy of our technique.”
American Jiu-Jitsu- American Jiu-Jitsu is a small class setting self-defense oriented mix of grappling, striking, and group sparring. MIT’s AJJ practices in the pursuit of mastering practical techniques designed to keep you safe. While AJJ is indeed an art, this club leans toward making sure that their methods are as applicable to real-world scenarios as they are fun to watch.
(Lester McCoy): “No matter what pretty words you put around a martial art, at the end of the day it has to be effective.”
Isshinryu Karate-Do- As a traditional Okinawan Karate-Do, this club puts the “art” in “martial art.” Isshinryu students practice light contact sparring and pride themselves on offering a relaxed environment centered on the principle of self-improvement as much as self-defense. MIT’s Isshinryu is a small class setting, so those who try it are guaranteed lots of individual instruction.
(Yelena Tsitkin): “As we practice [Isshinryu], it is more introspective than competitive.”
Judo- Grappling-centric, sport competitive, and physically demanding, Judo represents an excellent middle ground for anyone considering a club. Practice is sparring and demonstration centric, and to that end students push themselves to maintain their fitness. While it does not teach standard self-defense, many of the techniques club members are exposed to are quite useful in that context.
(Tarek Fadel): “Judo is a great hybrid between artform, workout, and overall lifestyle.”
Korean Karate- Chung Do Kwan style Taekwondo club is a small, devoted group which strives to balance practical self-defense with the physical expression inherent to TKD. They are also the only club which offers no-contact sparring. Forms and sparring are both subjects of demonstration at tournaments, which are attended several times a semester.
(Poh C. Lim): “We emphasize five things: speed, power, focus, accuracy, and balance.”
Shotokan Karate- Bringing intense practices, a large group setting, and the opportunity to travel to the table, this Japanese style prides itself on helping students achieve their individual goals. Shotokan practices are a combination of repetition to perfect forms for competition at tournaments, sparring to apply technique on the fly, and individual instruction from a host of seasoned teachers.
(Anselmo Cassiano Alves): “we have a program that motivates everyone, both beginner and black belt.”
Sport Taekwondo- This is a long standing competitive club that offers a large group setting in which to train. Teaching both self-defense and the Olympic sport of Taekwondo, practices are frequent and athletically demanding. Competitors travel often to attend tournaments, are taught by multiple accomplished instructors, and above all else remain approachable sportsmen and women with a profound love for their craft.
(Ajay Saini): “It’s just as much about getting to hang out with people you love”
Kickboxing- Based in the same hand-to-hand training utilized by the Chinese military, MIT’s kickboxing club is a mid-sized fitness and self-defense class that only competes internally. Kickboxing is striking rather than grappling centric, and as a result this club makes full use of a range of pad and bag workouts which will teach you to hit hard, quickly, and accurately. Members of all shapes and sizes are encouraged to tune the style to their needs.