JUJITSU FOR WOMEN.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 66, 11 December 1907, Page 3

JUJITSU FOR WOMEN.

"The most, revolutionary display,of tho Congress." This (says an English paper) Was tho remark,-that was heard on all sides at tho finish of the.demonstration—rgivpn at tho recent Hygienic Congress .at tho London • University—of jujitsu as a marvellous, physical training, and not only as the performance of stage tricks. Certainly,' taking, tho physique of both ladies into consideration, it could not have a better advertisement. _ Mrs. Roger Watts is as fine drawn as a piece of whipcord, and about as supple, judging fronr tho way she springs up from what appears to bo a stunning fall; and Miss Lauder Brunton's quick, graceful throws are a revolution as to what may be achieved by a petito. woman. The demonstration began with .a short exhibition of tho children's work, the-"alphabet" of the training, as, Mrs v ,Watts,.cxplaiiicd. v ., In .this part of tho training'tho'children perform all tho, separate movements required for a throw, but the throw itself is. left out until they are old enough to givo it without strain. This idea has been evolved by Mrs. Watts, and certainly the result was most fascinating to watch in tho quick, well-balance-d movements-of three protty littlo girls about ton years of age. , Then came the finished work with Miss Brunton, who was Mrs. Watts's earliest pupil, and who now tenches with her. The throws were first shown in-the-way 111 which they are taught, that is: to say, with regular steps, each ono'knowing what to do, and taking the part beforehand 0: opponent and victim. llien came the adaptation of these throws to all-kinds ot defcnco against different attacks, truly -a marvellous performance. Mrs. Watts wiuld rush forward with a blow or a clutch at tho throat or round. the body, and with each and all tho 'defence em.*! m a rapid throw, in ' which Alj-s. >\ afcts would 'bo hurled through iho all- ill truly terrible, positions, but from which sho invariably sprang up smiling. If it was difficult to comprehend i the seeming magic which enabled those tilings to be done one- realised that the claim Mrs. Watts makes for jujitsu, as giving a fino power of endurance, and courage, was amply proved by both hersolf and Miss Lauder Brunton.