I’m Yann Ao-Drenn founder of JUDO SCHOOL SCOTLAND and I have practised various Martial Arts. For nearly two decades I have only focused on JUNOMICHI (Judo from the founder).
JUNOMICHI / JUDO provides me with a way to share human relationships based on inter-help and mutual prosperity.
Like most people interested in Judo, I started with the sport Judo because this is the most common practice today.
Nearly two decades ago, I started questioning the relationship between Judo founder Jigoro Kano’s philosophy and Judo as it is known today. I was very perplexed which led to me studying Dr Kano’s writings.
In 2010 I spoke with people who had previously competed in the sports Judo but no longer participated due to injuries. Many were only in their 30s but injuries from sport Judo had left them broken and unable to engage in physical activities.
This was not representative of Kano’s principles and I decided to stop sport Judo
Thanks to the Internet, my son (also a Judo practitioner as well) found a judo federation that aims to keep practising the fundamental principles of judo as taught by Jigoro Kano. “The 
International Autonomous JUNOMICHI Federation“.
I quickly booked travel to France for a 3-day practice and I was in awe.
I was invited onto the mats to practice by a young boy. He was a green belt, 13 years old, and much smaller than me. As I had years of experience of sport Judo I said to myself, “Okay, this is just a wee laddie, I’ll go easy….”. I didn’t have the time to finish my thought. I was on the ground
Since this very day, my life has changed. I had found exactly what I was looking for.
Now I’m an active member of this federation and I aim to develop the JUDO that we call JUNOMICHI in Scotland.
I have 2 goals when I share and teach Judo – Junomichi :
- Ensure each participant makes an inner journey which provides a better understanding of herself/himself and engages to continue this journey.
- To learn new ways from my students and make them aware that they can share what they have learned in the pursuit of mutual prosperity.
Why a School of JUDO SCOTLAND?
In order to follow Jigoro Kano’s Principles and aims the name ‘school’ has been chosen.
The etymology of the word “SCHOOL” is “intermission of work, leisure for learning; learned conversation, debate; lecture; a meeting place for teachers and students, place of instruction; disciples of a teacher, body of followers,” from Greek skhole “spare time, leisure, rest, ease; idleness; that in which leisure is employed; learned discussion;” also “a place for lectures, school.”