Bognor Regis Zen Judo Dojo

Bognor Regis Zen Judo Dojo Bognor Regis Zen Judo Club Is now the Honbu Dojo for The Zen Judo Family (after the closure of Petersfield Zen Judo Club in Love Lane, in 2015).

We practice Judo in a nurturing non-competitive environment. There is a syllabus of throws to learn, designed to ensure no-one gets hurt or is pushed to do anything they don't feel comfortable with and we like to have a fun family atmosphere. We aim to build ability and confidence, each individual progressing at their own speed, with an emphasis on relaxed co-operation. Judo, which means 'Gentle Way', should be about technique rather than strength, yielding to use the strength used against you, and that is what we try to learn. The Zen Judo syllabus is based upon traditional martial arts training where the focus is on mastering technique rather than focusing upon competition. Bognor Regis Zen Judo Club is a member of The Zen Judo Family (ZJF) and affiliated to The British Zen Judo Family Association (BZJFA) and Kenshindoryu Nippon Budo Kyokai. The Chief Instructor of the Club is John Robertson 6th Dan (ZJF) and 6th Dan (BZJFA). John was talked into starting Judo by his daughter and son at the age of 36 and has now been a judoka (member) of the Zen Judo Family for over 30 years, 20+ of those as an assistant instructor in a number of Zen Judo clubs in West Sussex and Hampshire. The Bognor Club was started by John on the 1st March 2004 with only 4 students and rapidly expanded to 20 regular members. The Club meets at South Bersted Church Hall in Bognor Regis. All ages and abilities are catered for and beginners are always made welcome. Please take a look at the rest of the site for more information about the club and Zen Judo in general. Time: Sessions are held weekly on Monday Evenings,
All grades (Mixed 7+ to Adult) 7:00 to 9:00pm (19:00 - 21:00hrs). Bognor Regis Zen Judo Dojo
South Bersted Church Hall
Bersted Street
Bognor Regis
West Sussex. P022 9QE

Directions:
At the A29/A259 (Bognor Hospital) round about take the A259 Chichester (Portsmouth) exit past the Ambulance
Station. At the next set of traffic lights turn right into Bersted Street. Follow the road round to the right, after the Church turn right just before The Art of Dance Studio. We are in the Church Hall behind The Art of Dance. Contacts:
- - Chief Instructor and Club Administration email:- brzjc@zenjudo.co.uk

- - or call 07506689314 or 07904081211 for more information.

-- Assistant Instructors:
Martin Robertson 5th Dan (ZJF) and 5th Dan(BZJFA). David Bennington 4th Dan (ZJF) and 1st Dan (BZJFA). Yvonne Robertson 5th Dan (ZJF) and 3rd Dan (BZJFA). Sharna Robertson 3rd Dan (ZJF) and 3rd Dan (BZJFA). Jon Taylor 2nd Dan (ZJF).

-- Or visit the club website: www.brzjc.co.uk

- - Or visit the main Zen Judo website: www.zenjudo.co.uk

Affiliation: The Bognor Regis Zen Judo Club is at present the Hombu Dojo for The Zen Judo Family and is affiliated to both The Zen Judo Family (ZJF) ( A founding member of the International Gentle Arts Society) and The British Zen Judo Family Association (BZJFA) based in Nottingham. Both organisations have international links. Visit http://www.zenjudo.co.uk for more information and for links to other Judo clubs around the world. Kano Jigoro: (1860-1938), Japanese founder of judo. Due to a weak constitution, Kano began practicing the Japanese martial art jujitsu at the age of 20. He soon incorporated his philosophy of mental and physical training with aspects of jujitsu and other martial arts to develop what he called judo (Japanese for "gentle way"). In 1882 in Sh*taya, Tokyo, he founded Kodokan, his first dojo with only nine pupils. In 1885 Kano went to Great Britain to popularise judo in the West. By the time of his death in 1938, judo had over 100,000 black belt practitioners. Our Origins: the time line for the evolution of Judo and Zen Judo is ...

•Dr Jigoro Kano (1860-1938) founded Kodokan Judo in Tokyo in 1882.
•Kenshiro Abe (7th Dan) & Bill Woods (2nd Dan) founded the British Zen Judo Council in 1958.
•Kenshiro Abe (7th Dan) founded Kyu Shin Do
•Dominick McCarthy (8th Dan Zen) founded The Zen Judo Family in 1974 (Petersfield Zen Judo Club)
•Roger Lewis (4th Dan Zen) founded Chichester Zen Judo Club
•John Wingham (2nd Dan Zen) & Jo Winslow (4th Dan Zen) founded Felpham Zen Judo Club
•John Robertson (5th Dan Zen) founded Bognor Regis Zen Judo Club on 1st March 2004

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All rights reserved.

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21/01/2026

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Shu–Ha–Ri (守破離) is a traditional Japanese learning framework that describes the natural evolution of mastery in martial arts, arts, and even life practice. It is not a rigid ladder but a living process, guiding the student from imitation to innovation.

Shu (守) — To Protect / Obey
Shu is the stage of faithful learning. The student follows the teacher’s forms, techniques, etiquette, and rhythms exactly as taught. There is no attempt to alter or personalize the art. This is not blind obedience, but deep respect: by repeating correct forms, the body absorbs structure, timing, posture, and spirit. In martial arts, Shu builds safety, discipline, and humility. The ego is quiet, and trust in the lineage is essential. Foundations are laid here, and skipping Shu weakens everything that follows.

Ha (破) — To Break / Detach
Ha begins when the student starts to understand why things work. The forms are no longer copied mechanically; they are tested, compared, and adapted. The practitioner may study other schools, feel variations, and adjust techniques according to context, body type, or situation. This “breaking” does not mean rejecting tradition, but freeing oneself from rigid dependence on it. Mistakes increase, but insight deepens. Ha is a phase of questioning, refinement, and conscious choice.

Ri (離) — To Separate / Transcend
Ri is the stage of natural expression. Technique flows without conscious effort, and form arises spontaneously from principle. The practitioner is no longer bound by styles, yet fully embodies them. Teaching becomes transmission rather than instruction. In Ri, the art is no longer something you do—it is something you are.

Shu–Ha–Ri reminds us that true mastery is a journey from form, through understanding, into freedom.

concepts #守破離 #武道 #武道家 #道場 #師範 #先生 #学び #武道コミュニティ #武術 #武術トレーニング #武道家 #合気道家 #合気道 #道場スクロール #漢字 #座禅 #禅の概念

Thanks to the members who came tonight and donated food for the food bank. To those not able to make it tonight hope to ...
05/01/2026

Thanks to the members who came tonight and donated food for the food bank. To those not able to make it tonight hope to see you next week.

Today (Tuesday) Yvonne and I delivered the food donated to the Bognor Regis Food Bank at the Hope Centre and also to the Jeneses Community Centre Food Bank.

Attached is a photo of the food collected so far.

Sensei John.

Happy New Year 2026 to all our past, present and future Zen Judo Family.Sensei John Robertson.
01/01/2026

Happy New Year 2026 to all our past, present and future Zen Judo Family.

Sensei John Robertson.

29/12/2025

Thanks to Sensei's Martin, Yvonne and Jon and Chris and his daughter for help tonight.

We managed to empty out the storage cupboard and repair the mats and give everything a good clean ready for the New Year.

See you all back next Monday, remember to bring your non-perishable food for the food bank.

Sensei John.

Some more photos from last night.
23/12/2025

Some more photos from last night.

Monday we held our traditional Christmas 'games night', this was very well attended, with only a couple of members not a...
23/12/2025

Monday we held our traditional Christmas 'games night', this was very well attended, with only a couple of members not able to attend due to illness and a number of new faces. As usual it was great fun and total chaos.

It was decided this year to award the Dominick McCarthy 'Student of the Year' to Samuel, for displaying the Zen Judo spirit both in and outside the dojo.

We hope you all have a great Christmas and will see you on Monday 5th January 2026. Remember to bring some non-perishable food with you for the food bank.

Sensei John Robertson 6th Dan.
(Chief Instructor)

ps. More photos to follow 🙂

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our students and instructors past and present.We will be back on Monday 5th Ja...
20/12/2025

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our students and instructors past and present.

We will be back on Monday 5th January. This will be a free session but we ask that all attending bring along some non perishable food items that we can pass onto the local food bank (anyone who forgets can still pay the usual £7 session fee).

Because of this there will be 3 normal paid sessions in January, a total of £21, if paying via bank transfer please note which session or month it is for.

Have a great holiday break and we look forward to seeing you all in the New Year.

Sensei John Robertson.
(Chief Instructor)

15/12/2025

A slightly different session tonight before next weeks games night and the Christmas break.

Had to give the old grey matter a bit of a prod as we looked at the John Harding ground work kata.

Probably should try to do it a bit more often.

Sensei John Robertson.

24/11/2025

December Training Sessions / Fees:

If you normally pay by bank transfer, there will be four training sessions this month (December). If you pay by bank transfer, the total due will be £28 can you also make sure you mark which sessions/month you are paying for (please let me know when you have paid).

If you are unable to attend regularly during the month (and pay up front), please try to pay by cash (£7) for each session when you are able to attend. It makes it easier for us to keep track of session payments.

Monday the 22nd will be our traditional games night.

Monday the 29th there will be NO training session. But we have permission to come in at 7pm and sort out the cupboard any local help would be appreciated.

We will be back in the New Year training on Monday January the 5th.

We have room to take on new and returning students, if you know anyone who might be interested in giving Judo a go please let them know.

Have a great Christmas and New Year.

Sensei John Robertson 6th Dan
(Chief Instructor)

Address

South Bersted Church Hall, Bersted Street
Bognor Regis
PO229QE

Opening Hours

Monday 7pm - 9pm

Website

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Our Story

We practice Judo in a nurturing non-competitive environment. There is a syllabus of throws to learn, designed to ensure no-one gets hurt or is pushed to do anything they don't feel comfortable with and we like to have a fun family atmosphere. We aim to build ability and confidence, each individual progressing at their own speed, with an emphasis on relaxed co-operation. Judo, which means 'Gentle Way', should be about technique rather than strength, yielding to use the strength used against you, and that is what we try to learn. The Zen Judo syllabus is based upon traditional martial arts training where the focus is on mastering technique rather than focusing upon competition. Bognor Regis Zen Judo Club is a member of The Zen Judo Family (ZJF) and affiliated to The British Zen Judo Family Association (BZJFA) and Kenshindoryu Nippon Budo Kyokai. The Chief Instructor of the Club is John Robertson 5th Dan (ZJF) and 2nd Dan (BZJFA). John was talked into starting Judo by his daughter and son at the age of 36 and has now been a judoka (member) of the Zen Judo Family for over 25 years, 15+ of those as an assistant instructor in a number of Zen Judo clubs in West Sussex and Hampshire. The Bognor Club was started by John on the 1st March 2004 with only 4 students and has rapidly expanded to 20 regular members. The Club meets at South Bersted Church Hall in Bognor Regis. All ages and abilities are catered for and beginners are always made welcome. Please take a look at the rest of the site for more information about the club and Zen Judo in general. Time: Sessions are held weekly on Monday Evenings, All grades (Mixed 7+ to Adult) 7:00 to 9:00pm (19:00 - 21:00hrs). Bognor Regis Zen Judo Dojo South Bersted Church Hall Bersted Street Bognor Regis West Sussex. P022 9QE Directions: At the A29/A259 (Bognor Hospital) round about take the A259 Chichester (Portsmouth) exit past the Ambulance Station. At the next set of traffic lights (by the White Horse Public House) turn right into Bersted Street. Follow the road round to the right, after the Church turn right just before The Art of Dance Studio. We are in the Church Hall behind The Art of Dance. Contacts: - - Chief Instructor and Club Administration email:- brzjc@zenjudo.co.uk - - or call 07506689314 or 07904081211 for more information. -- Assistant Instructors: Martin Robertson 5th Dan (ZJF) and 2nd Dan(BZJFA). David Bennington 4th Dan (ZJF) and 1st Dan (BZJFA) (Sensei Havant Zen Judo Club). Yvonne Robertson 4th Dan (ZJF) and 1st Dan (BZJFA). Sharna Robertson 3rd Dan (ZJF) and 1st Dan (BZJFA). Alex Barnes 2nd Dan (ZJF). Jon Taylor 1st Dan (ZJF). -- Or visit the club wedsite: www.brzjc.co.uk - - Or visit the main Zen Judo website: www.zenjudo.co.uk Affiliation: The Bognor Regis Zen Judo Club is at present the Hombu Dojo for The Zen Judo Family and is affiliated to both The Zen Judo Family (ZJF) ( A founding member of the International Gental Arts Society) and The British Zen Judo Family Association (BZJFA) based in Nottingham. Both organisations have international links. Visit http://www.zenjudo.co.uk for more information and for links to other Judo clubs around the world. Kano Jigoro: (1860-1938), Japanese founder of judo. Due to a weak constitution, Kano began practicing the Japanese martial art jujitsu at the age of 20. He soon incorporated his philosophy of mental and physical training with aspects of jujitsu and other martial arts to develop what he called judo (Japanese for "gentle way"). In 1882 in Sh*taya, Tokyo, he founded Kodokan, his first dojo with only nine pupils. In 1885 Kano went to Great Britain to popularise judo in the West. By the time of his death in 1938, judo had over 100,000 black belt practitioners. Our Origins: the time line for the evolution of Judo and Zen Judo is ... •Dr Jigoro Kano (1860-1938) founded Kodokan Judo in Tokyo in 1882. •Kenshiro Abe (7th Dan) & Bill Woods (2nd Dan) founded the British Zen Judo Council in 1958. •Kenshiro Abe (7th Dan) founded Kyu Shin Do •Dominick McCarthy (8th Dan Zen) founded The Zen Judo Family in 1974 (Petersfield Zen Judo Club) •Roger Lewis (4th Dan Zen) founded Chichester Zen Judo Club •John Wingham (2nd Dan Zen) & Jo Winslow (4th Dan Zen) founded Felpham Zen Judo Club •John Robertson (4th Dan Zen) founded Bognor Regis Zen Judo Club on 1st March 2004 Copyright © by The Bognor Regis Zen Judo Club Website All rights reserved.