About Wa Shin Ryu Jujutsu

Professor Yiannakis founded Wa Shin Ryu Jujutsu at the University of Connecticut in 1982-83. Wa Shin Ryu Jujutsu is a holistic, comprehensive system of unarmed combat and because of its battlefield origins may be described as the original integrated "mixed" martial art. The system has a basis, in form and philosophy, in Koryu Bujutsu (classical martial arts) but as an evolved 20th century system it may be best described as a modern martial art that adheres strictly to its classical moorings. Unlike most classical, or classically-based systems, however, the art stresses the development of effective combative skills by training students in live sparring situations in distance, close quarter and ground fighting contexts. Such forms of training develop sustained focused concentration, hand-leg-eye coordination, and create for students a high degree of realism that set routines and repetition training alone cannot provide. However, the purpose of such intensive training is not to make us violent. The goal is to empower so that we can walk away with confidence, if that is deemed the appropriate response at the time.

An effective martial artist is an empowered individual. And an empowered individual has the confidence to make choices and decide whether to engage in violence, or to contain/defuse a situation by other means. Thus, in the modern world an empowered martial artist is a type of person who, by having many options can make the choice to avoid/prevent violence, or when the situation demands can save himself/herself and others. The unempowered individual has no such options or choices!

In developing the system the Founder integrated the traditions of the old, with the best of the new, to form a budo system that serves: (1) As a personal discipline, (2) as a way of life, (3) as an effective combative/self defense system, (4) as a pathway to empowerment, and (5) as a path to self actualization (the ultimate goal of the system) in the physical, psychological and spiritual domains.

The class/club includes both male and female students and guest participation is encouraged.