ensodobanner.png

Ensodo


Ensodo is a rotational self defence art with large weapons component, blending real self defence (throws, knife disarms, restraints) with rotational kata shaped by Tai Chi, Aikido, Escrima, Bujutsu and Iaido, without an expectation of particular levels of fitness or physical ability.

Anyone can be an Ensodo student, and our youngest students are teenagers, though it is just as common for people to be over 70 as under 20. Designed by Neil R. Hall, one of our Founders, it is specifically created to have all the self defence and personal development aspects of traditional martial arts, without the high kicks or press ups.

Ensodo students can train to Black Belt and beyond, and in their training learn not only high level self defence, but also martial arts weapons such as bo, sabre, sticks, knives, bokken, tonfa and sai.

With a great deal of influence from Tai Chi, and with its study of martial arts weapons, it is ideal for non-combat Tai Chi or Iaido students making the transition into practical self defence. And with it not requiring particular fitness or physical ability, it is also a perfect art for older students of arts like TaeKwonDo, Kung Fu, Karate or Kickboxing to continue their training when the arts they have studied become too demanding for their bodies.

Ensodo is a graded art, with grades up to and beyond Black Belt awarded through ongoing assessment rather than examination. Its weapons training enables Ensodo students to work together with their Enso colleagues in Iaido and Bujutsu, and its graded and formal structure also allows Ensodo students to slot into TaeKwonDo classes seamlessly. So if there's a TaeKwonDo class or event focusing on self defence that would suit Ensodo students, they can join in without any difficulty.



Ensodo is learnt in the friendly, supportive and usually fun atmosphere of our Enso sessions. We invite you to come and experience it.