THE NORTH LAKES JUJUTSU ASSOCIATION
is a not for profit association based in the Cumbrian City of Carlisle. We are Cumbria's only 'classical martial arts organisation'.

The association was founded by Andy McCormack with the specific goal of bringing 'authentic, Classical Japanese martial arts to Carlisle, and the Northern UK'.

The primary reason for the founding of the association was to provide a vehicle for the study of 'authentic Japanese martial arts' and also to bypass the attempted control of "western Ju Jitsu" organisations that pretend to practice 'traditional Japanese martial arts' when in fact they practice a western blend of martial arts techniques.

Interestingly, while some Ju Jitsu groups have connections with Japanese Sensei through either patronage or by Association links, we are the only Jujutsu group in the region that are direct students of a Japanese Jujutsu ryu let alone a Koryu.

An important aspect of our training is cultural exchange. From discussing this aspect with the 19th Soke Inoue Kyoichi Munenori he expressed not only his opinion that cultural exchange and social interaction between members is just as important as the training itself, but also that he regards the Hontai Yoshin Ryu members as his family. 

Pictured to the right are the 18th and 19th generation headmasters or "SOKE". (R) 18th Soke INOUE Tsuyoshi Munetoshi and (L) 19th Soke INOUE Kyoichi Munenori at the ceremony of succession as head of Hontai Yoshin Ryu

MEMBERSHIP
Membership is open to both individuals and clubs who wish to study with us. Our only requirement is that the new members are of good character and are responsible in their practice. We also welcome any new member groups that practice other styles of koryu.

WHAT WE PRACTICE
As a classical Jujutsu style, Hontai Yoshin Ryu weapons are not only at the core of the tradition, but the weapons kata also teach many of the basic (and advanced) body movement and timing skills used in the unarmed kata. The regular practice of weapons kata greatly effects your Jujutsu skill level.

SELF DEFENCE
Although all students begin with kata training, although many people interpret kata as a very basic it is in fact the highest level of technique with the goal being finesse.

We also teach a simple and effective, common sense approach to self defence, with the goals of giving our students a hands on feel for technical application and a better general knowledge and more importantly to develop their sense of situational awareness allowing the student to either preempt or avoid dangerous situations altogether.

Technically as the students progress through the kyu grades it is expected that the skills developed through of kata training will reflect on their self defence techniques, and the understanding of self defence will have a corresponding effect on the particular students kata and general ability level.