This Year’s Training: Shinden Fudō-ryū

This year, our dojo along with our network of parent and sibling dojos, is studying Shinden Fudō-ryū, the “School of the Immovable Heart.”
Founded around 1113 AD by Izumo Kanja Yoshiteru, Shinden Fudō ryū is one of the oldest styles of Jujutsu. It focuses on working with one's natural surroundings, and as such most training takes place outside using natural objects as training aids. Through its Dakentaijutsu and Jūtaijutsu teachings, the school combines powerful whole-body striking with throws, joint controls, and natural methods of receiving and redirecting force. Its training emphasizes relaxed movement, strong structure, adaptability, and using the environment rather than depending on rigid postures.
The “immovable heart” does not mean refusing to move. It means remaining calm and steady while adapting to changing circumstances. Throughout the year, we will explore this principle through the kata and philosophies of this classical martial tradition.

There are deeper understandings to the name of the school when exploring the Kanji of the school's name. This is discussed and explored in the dojo.