Seventeen participants stepped onto the tatamis in Neuville-sur-Sarthe on Saturday, September 26, trading everyday clothing for traditional kimonos to explore the fundamentals of judo as families. The special session paired parents and children together to discover the physical coordination, discipline, and core values of the martial art.
Family Pairs Learn Fundamentals and Safety Drills
Led by instructor Aurélie, the afternoon began with traditional greetings and warm-up exercises designed to prepare the mixed-age group for physical contact. Participants focused heavily on learning how to fall safely without injury—a vital foundational skill in judo known as breakfalls—alongside movement and balance drills. Adults and children practiced turning opponents onto their backs and maintaining physical control before moving on to light, supervised sparring matches.
Transmitting Core Values Beyond the Tatami
Beyond physical techniques and grappling drills, the session emphasized the traditional code of ethics that underpins the sport. Organizers structured the training to reinforce mutual respect between partners, mutual aid, and self-control. These principles form the cornerstone of judo philosophy, offering a framework where participants of vastly different ages and sizes can train safely together. The mat work concluded with a collective traditional bow, followed by a shared afternoon snack that allowed the families to socialize and debrief the day’s exercises in a relaxed environment.
Upcoming Self-Defense Session Scheduled for October
Following the success of the family judo introduction, organizers confirmed that additional community sports animations are already on the calendar. The next public sports gathering in Neuville-sur-Sarthe is scheduled for a self-defense workshop held as part of the local “Octobre Rose” health awareness campaign, set for Wednesday, October 28, at 7:15 PM local time.
