LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - Judo, a form of martial arts, is back for a second round in Fort Simpson.

Dean Harvey founded the Fort Simpson Judo Club in 2008. The club developed a small following in its first year but was plagued by a lack of proper practice mats and the lack of a suitable venue.

Instructor Dean Harvey, left, demonstrates a kesa gatame, a scarf hold, on Bryce Hardisty-Phillips during a Fort Simpson Judo Club practice. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

After a year without sessions Harvey began practices again this September.

"We're much more organized this time," he said.

The club has found a home at Bompas Elementary School where practices are held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. for participants 13 and older and on Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon for children ages nine to 12. Thanks to support from the Deh Cho Friendship Centre the club also has approximately $4,000 worth of mats.

Ten young judoka were making use of the mats practicing both doing and escaping from kesa gatame, the scarf hold. Age isn't a hindrance in judo, Harvey said.

"Anyone can do it. They just do it in a way that works for them," he said.

The word judo means "the gentle way." The martial art, which was developed in Japan, is all about doing movements fluidly and efficiently in a way that follows natural body mechanics, Harvey said.

The sport has risen in popularity in the past 10 year primarily because of the mixed martial arts phenomena, he said. When mixed martial arts began it became apparent relying on punching wasn't the way to win a fight. Being proficient in a grappling sport like judo is important, Harvey said.

The objective in judo is to grab your opponent, throw them on their back or hold them down and make them submit. There are three ways to win a judo fight including cleanly throwing an opponent on their back or holding an opponent down on the mat and controlling them for 30 seconds. At more advanced levels submission holds including arm bars or chokes can be used to force an opponent to yield.

With his youngest students Harvey is focused not on winning fights but on play.

Students spend part of their two-hour practice playing games that have judo skills built into them. For example, kicking a tennis ball back and forth using a certain motion teaches the foot sweeping technique used later for tripping.

"The skills build up slowly," Harvey said.

Time is also dedicated to learning how to fall. Before students can do trips or throws they need to know how to fall in a way that will prevent injuries, he said.

Hannah Isaiah, 11, who was at the Saturday practice said she enjoyed doing the holds.

"I like how people can't flip me over," she said.

After her first taste of judo, Isaiah said she plans to keep coming back.

"It's fun," she said.

Harvey, who has previously taught family judo in British Columbia, said Judo builds both self-confidence and self-defense. At the adult session there is more focus on technique.

For Harvey one of the draws of judo is its physical aspect, something he said he needs to offset sedentary office life.

"I like getting pounded," he said.

Harvey plans to continue teaching judo for as long as he lives in Fort Simpson. His goal in the next 10 years is to train someone to a black belt level so they can continue the club.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.