Self-Defense Classes for One or Two at Z Ultimate Self Defense Studios Highlands Ranch West (Up to 75% Off)
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Martial-arts classes teach practical self-defense skills for participants of all ages
Choose Between Two Options
- $56 for one month of personal and group self-defense classes with a uniform for one ($195 value)
- $96.50 for one month of personal and group self-defense classes with a uniform for two ($390 value)
Each package includes the following, per person:
- Four small two- to four-person classes with an instructor
- 12 group classes
- A uniform
- Waived sign-up fee
45-minute group classes for kids 3–6 take place Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and for kids age 7–10 on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:15 p.m. and Saturdays at 10:45 a.m. One-hour classes for young adults take place Tuesdays and Fridays at 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 11:30 a.m., and for adults on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays at 11:30 a.m.
Gi: The Duds of Discipline
People often joke that the robes worn by martial-arts practitioners resemble pajamas, but that may not be such a far cry. Read on to learn more about these ancient garbs.
Though its proper name might not spring to mind, the customary outfit of a dojo sensei, commonly known as a gi, is eminently recognizable: a jacket called an uwagi tied by a belt (or obi) over a pair of short pants (shitakabi), the whole ensemble draped loosely to allow for swift and acrobatic movements. The particular materials used to make the gi follow the needs of specific martial-arts styles. A karate master who relies on quick strikes and powerful blows, for example, will likely don a lighter gi, whereas a judo fighter might enlist heavier, more durable fabric to endure the endless grapples and throws. In Japan, the catchall term for the customary robe isn't gi but rather keikogi—keiko translates to "practice." The name might also take on a prefix according to its intended discipline: judogi, karategi, aikidogi, and so forth.
Despite being a symbol of martial-arts culture for centuries, the gi's origin remains unclear. Some speculate that the airy uniform was simply designed to accommodate the lifestyle of the Okinawan farmers and fishermen who invented it. Others contend that, in light of a 13th-century imperial ban on the possession of weapons, warriors trained at night to avoid detection. In a pinch, the robes could pass for sleepwear, concealing their transgression.