"The only way to see if you can swim,

is to get in the water"

The Combat Jūjutsu taught at DTI is enhanced with elements of Guazabara, Police Defensive Tactics, Hapkido's aggressive self-defense style and the Carlson Gracie philosophy on street fighting. This is not a sport, it’s a practical system of self-defense. By combining the principles and concepts of Aiki-jūjutsu with these modern combative styles and adding a method of training that is randori centric, students train in a comprehensive approach to real-world violence, gaining the skills needed to navigate today’s threats with confidence and control.

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Atemi-waza (striking), Katame-Waza (holding / grappling), Nagi-Waza (Throws / Takedowns) and Ne-waza (ground-fighting), are the essential components of combat jūjutsu and crucial for self-defense skill development. 

 

Ne-Waza / Ground Fighting

Ground fighting is a critical component of self-defense that should never be overlooked. In real-world situations, being taken to the ground can actually level the playing field, neutralizing an attacker’s power and creating opportunities for a trained individual to defend effectively.

Our ground fighting system integrates principles from our Aiki-Jūjutsu, Luta Livre, combat grappling, various martial disciplines, and law enforcement defensive tactics, while remaining firmly grounded in the traditional philosophy and values of Jūjutsu.

 

Luta Livre brings a highly functional approach to grappling, positional control, escapes, takedowns, submissions, and ground fighting. Combined with the principles of Daitō-Ryū and our experience in law enforcement defensive tactics, these methods create a comprehensive approach to surviving and controlling a confrontation on the ground.

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While our ground combat may resemble Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), our approach is specifically focused on practical self-defense, combat grappling, and survival. Sport grappling often emphasizes winning through points, position, or submission. Our primary objective is different: survive the encounter, create an opportunity to escape, regain your footing, and remove yourself from the threat.

We recognize that going to the ground in a real-world confrontation can expose you to additional dangers. Therefore, students learn not only how to fight from the ground, but how to defend against strikes, escape unfavorable positions, control an opponent when necessary, and return safely to their feet.

The goal is simple: SURVIVE. ESCAPE. GET HOME.

 

​Our Ne-Waza curriculum combines the traditional principles of Jūjutsu with the functional grappling of Luta Livre and the practical demands of real-world defensive tactics, creating a ground-fighting system designed not simply to win a match, but to help you survive a fight.

 

Pressure-Test Your Skill

Training begins with a cooperative partner (uke), allowing students to develop proper mechanics, positioning, and control in a safe, structured environment. As their proficiency improves, resistance is gradually introduced. This progression challenges the student to apply techniques from various positions and under increasingly realistic conditions, ensuring the skills hold up not just in theory, but in practice.

 

実戦柔術

CERTIFIED BRANCH OF RENSHINKAN DAITO-RYŪ AIKI-JŪJUTSU 

大東流 合気柔術

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WHAT IS DAITŌ-RYŪ AIKI-JŪJUTSU?

Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu came to prominence in the early 20th century under the headmastership of Takeda Sōkaku. Drawing upon extensive training in multiple classical martial traditions, Takeda formalized and taught the art under the name Daitō-ryū—literally, “Great Eastern School.” The system encompasses both unarmed combat and select weapon techniques, and is distinguished by its sophisticated use of timing, balance, and an opponent’s own movement to achieve control.

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Perez Sensei is a member of the Japanese Renshinkan branch of Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu under the guidance of Kancho Michio Takase, and is formally authorized to teach the art in the United States. The Renshinkan branch is recognized for its commitment to preserving the traditional principles and techniques of Daitō-ryū while thoughtfully adapting its training methods to the modern world.