Testimonials Sensei Jonathan Thomson

Author: Lara van Nunen
Group: Gojukan Dojo
Date: 19 July 2014

I would like to take the time to reflect on my Jujitsu experience with Sensei Jonathan as my instructor.  I have been passionate about Jujitsu for a number of years, but have moved from Dojo to Dojo as I usually found the classes unsatisfying in various ways.  I am pleased to say that I have found a home at Gojukan.  I have been training with Sensei Jonathan for 2 years now and I have no plans to leave his Dojo.

There are a number of reasons why I have chosen Gojukan as my Dojo. Firstly Sensei Jonathan has a wonderful way with his students, the respect that he gives each of us is returned tenfold by the respect we have for him.  His firm and attentive style of teaching is demanding, skilful and patient.  He ensures we understand the techniques and assists us through any problems or confusion we may have.  He also explains the power of patience in a fight situation, that Jujitsu is so much more than just fighting, that it is a way of life.

In the time that I have been at the Dojo, there have been new students that were either very young or angry, and could have caused harm to their training partner as a result of negligence.  In these situations Sensei Jonathan’s attention to these individuals not only ensured that no harm occurred, but also coaxed them out of the ‘dark space’ that they were in.  I have seen so many of the students blossom under his instruction, not just as fighters, but also as individuals.  Sensei Jonathan leads by example, he does not become angry or reactive in any situation, rather he is able to diffuse difficult situation with understanding and strength of character.  

Sensei Jonathan is always able to teach something new.  Even though I have been training with him for a while, and other students have been training with him even longer, we are always pleasantly surprised with new techniques, or new insights into older techniques as he patiently trains us to master them.  His knowledge is extensive, and I know that secretly each student in the Dojo hopes to one day get Sensei Jonathan into a submission.  This has never happened as long as I have been training at Gojukan, as he is always able to find a way to either escape or submit the student with whom he is rolling.  I find this inspiring, as do the other students, he has set the standard very high, and given us something to reach for.

I chose to write this letter, as have a number of other students in Sensei Jonathan’s class, when we heard he was going to submit for his grading, because we know how humble he is, we would like to show our thanks to him by giving you an inside perspective to his teaching.