Instructor Teaches Virtues To Students

by Rachel Parrish

Jujitsu instructor George Rego has been training for the last 11 years. He said the one of the main reasons for his getting into the program was the same reason many kids get involved with martial arts today.

"I wanted to wear a "cool" uniform and learn how to beat people up!" He said. "However, you very quickly realize that that is not what martial arts are about. In a traditional Japanese dojo (a traditional school) you learn very quickly the consequences of your actions and words."

Rego said that in the dojo, he learned the true purpose of the school and it definitely wasn't how to "beat people up." He said he felt the purpose of Jujitsu is not to win trophies or wear "cool uniforms," but to develop discipline, respect, and balance in all aspects of life.

"The lessons learned in the dojo aren't for the purposes of fighting or scoring points in a tournament," he said. "They are for everyday use for living a very powerful way of life and enhancing the quality of life for both you and those around you."

He also said that Jukido is not different from Jujitsu. "Jukido is actually a style of Jujitsu," he related. "Within the martial arts, the "art" is in a way a generic name. However, all the arts (Jujitsu, Karate, Kung fu, etc.) have styles. There might only be a few 'styles' of an art, or in some cases, several hundreds of an art."

Rego said that it took him a year and half to complete his training to be a sensei (Japanese word used loosely for teacher). "My whole training contributed to my teaching," he said. "As is tradition, I began being an assistant when I was a high ranking student (but not yet a black belt). But once I (with permission from my sensei, and top ranking sensei in our system of Jujitsu) decided that I would be teaching and have my own dojo, that process took about a year and a half.

He said that he found his teaching job to be very rewarding. "Teaching is like a completely new art," he explained. "Being a great martial artist doesn't make you a great teacher. It takes dedication and work." Rego got his training (and continues to) from one of the best Jukido Jujitsu instructors ever. "I was taught by Paul Arel at the Jukido Jujitsu world headquarters," he said. "He is the highest ranking Jukido Jujitsu and Kokondo Karate master in the world and holds the rank of 10th degree black belt in both arts. This is his 53th year in the martial arts."

Rego, a very good teacher in his own right, said there are many reasons why he teaches, one of them being obligation. "For one," he said, "I know the impact that Jukido Jujitsu has had on my life and I feel it's my obligation pass that on to others, both children and adults." He also believes in tradition. "I want to pass on the traditional martial arts way," he stressed. "The great majority of martial arts schools now have lost sight of that way."

He said his school is different from the more popular martial arts schools. "We aren't worried about showing people who good we are by displaying trophies in our window -our character and ability speak for themselves" He stated.