Dr. Jigoro Kano
An educator who studied several schools of jujutsu and founded judo in Tokyo in 1882.
Petaluma's judo club since 1970.
Traditional judo for kids and adults, ages 6 and up. No experience needed, and you can come watch a class first.
What is judo?
An Olympic martial art founded in Tokyo in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. You throw, pin and control a partner with balance and leverage rather than strength. There's no punching or kicking.
柔道
Judo: the gentle way
The two main principles of judo
Kano built judo on two ideas. Everything you learn on the mat comes back to them.
精力善用
Seiryoku Zenyo
Maximum efficiency
Use the least strength necessary, and let timing do the work.
自他共栄
Jita Kyoei
Mutual welfare and benefit
You can't learn alone, so you look after your partner.
Our schedule and fees
No experience needed. Kids, teens and adults train together, ages 6 and up. Mondays by appointment.
Location
Herzog Hall
175 Fairgrounds Drive, Petaluma
How to start
Come watch or try a class.
No appointment and no cost. Talk to an instructor before or after.
Register with Parks & Rec.
Search "Judo" in their online catalog, or go to their office.
Wear athletic clothes.
Nothing with zippers or buttons. We'll help you get a gi when you're ready.
What we teach
The Kodokan curriculum, the same one taught in Tokyo. Everyone starts by learning to fall.
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Ukemi — falling safely
The first skill every student learns. Nobody is thrown before they can land.
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Throws & groundwork
Hip throws, foot sweeps and shoulder throws, plus pins, turnovers and escapes.
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Randori, kata & etiquette
Free practice with a partner, the traditional forms, and the manners that go with them.
Taught by national-level black belts.
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Sensei Henry Kaku
6th dan, head instructor
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Sensei Davin Tillman
5th dan, assistant head instructor
Other black belts help out and hold clinics. Guest instructors from other judo schools and disciplines come through too.
Meet our instructors
About the club
Jim Santiago DeLeon founded this club in Petaluma in January 1970. When he retired in 2007, Sensei Henry Kaku took over as head instructor. Many of today's instructors first stepped on the mat as children. Sensei Davin started here at age 5 in 1992, and he's now our assistant head instructor.
We're a 501(c)(3) non-profit, run entirely by volunteer instructors. Class fees are collected by Petaluma Parks & Recreation and go toward mat time, equipment and insurance, which keeps judo affordable for Petaluma families. We do this because we love judo and want to pass it on.
Our affiliations
Rank earned here counts anywhere.
Come watch a class this week.
No appointment, no experience, no cost. Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 pm — stay and watch, or step on the mat.