Philotimo Freestyle Jujitsu is a small, women-focused martial arts school in Hunters Hill. They practice traditional Japanese Jujitsu, with a modern focus on realistic self-defence for women and girls.
Their students come from a wide variety of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
At Philotimo, aside from the techniques which come from Jujitsu, you will also study sparring, freestyle fighting, weaponry and cross-train in a variety of disciplines.
Their classes are all taught by qualified, experienced and mature black belts.
The focus is on self-defence. Find out more about a special introductory six-week course where girls will get a crash-course in Self-Defence basics, boost their self-confidence and learn valuable life skills.
Why Self Defence is Important
Philotimo Freestyle Jujitsu encourages women everywhere to learn self-defence. If your child is enrolled- all mothers train free.
Too often we put ourselves last; Philotimo Freestyle Jujitsu provides a space where mothers can train while their kids are also with them. On Saturday mornings the little ones play in the same room their mums are training in.
On Tuesdays nights, kids often come in their pyjamas and read a book or draw while their mums train in the Mums class. It’s a really important thing to be able to do.
- In Australia every week, one woman is killed at the hands of her partner or ex-partner.
- In 2020 in Australia, 62 women and 31 children were killed in domestic violence.
- 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men will be sexually assaulted before the age of 18.
- 90% of victims under 12 know their abuser.
- Just under half a million Australian women reported experiencing sexual violence/ assault within the last 18 months.
(Australian Bureau of Statistics 2017)
Self-defence teaches women and girls the skills to develop healthy physical and emotional boundaries
Learning self-defence also challenges the belief that women’s bodies are inherently vulnerable to attack and that men’s bodies are unstoppable. Learning self-defence is empowering and changes women’s beliefs about what they are capable of and what they are entitled to.
Classes for Kids, Teens and Adults
Most importantly, it gives girls and women a sense of mastery over their own bodies, and this in turn totally changes the way they feel about themselves.
Classes are taught by qualified, experienced, mature female black belts. Philotimo Freestyle Jujitsu is more than martial arts, it teaches self-mastery and life skills with an optional pathway for elite training for tournaments and competitions.
Philotimo Freestyle Jujitsu is located in Hunters Hill at 44 Gladesville Rd, close to the IGA (about 7-minute drive from the Lane Cove Plaza).
All classes have a high instructor-to-student ratio, with a focus on individual progress and attention.
- Minotaurs(boys and girls 3 – 6) programs develop “bump + fall resilience” fine/gross motor skills, balance, focus, manners.
- Primary girls(7 – 11) programs grow physically strong girls with a focus on skills to deal with bullies, using our words, learning to be kind and helpful
- Teen girls (12 – 17) programs teach friendship skills, negotiating peer pressure + coping with social media, while introducing mature self defence concepts
- Young adults(18 – 24) classes focus on practical self defence skills for the workplace with a strong social aspect to classes
- Women’s classes(25+ years) focus on rebuilding physical skills /confidence after leaving sport / having kids, practical self defence as well as fitness + flexibility
- Did we mention Mums train FREE with enrolled children!
Client Recommendations
“Totally recommend Philotimo Freestyle Jujitsu for anyone looking for a great atmosphere, supportive team and most of all safe Dojo for girls to be inspired and helped to develop their martial arts skills.
Sensei is a trailblazer for girls learning self defence but most of all self confidence and life skills.
They have a range of all-girls classes. She also offers mother and daughter classes and mums train for free! A fabulous boys class has now been started too on Tuesday afternoons.
Our 2 daughters and son all moved to this Dojo from a larger one and enjoy going every week and have thrived!” – Chris A
“Big fan of Philotimo, I’m a mum who trains there, I have tried a couple of different styles over the years and this is my favourite. Sensei is great, my daughter loves her and also the other mums are so welcoming and super friendly. – Andi C
“What has surprised me the most is the deeper psychological benefit. Where in the past I’d been a classic ‘conflict avoidant’. I now feel psychologically prepared to keep my cool in emotionally confronting situations. All the mums are an inspiration and great fun…and training with my daughter is brilliant!” – Jo
