Questions / Answers
What martial art style do you teach?
Dan Zan Ryu Jujitsu, sometimes known as Kodenkan Jujitsu.
What's DZR like?
Dan Zan Ryu jujitsu is a beautiful, power, practical martial art and an effective self-defense system. As you advance through the ranks, you learn arts that build on what you already know, from hand arts to throws and pins to complex combination arts. For lots more information, read Nancy and Matt Bigham's What is Jujitsu? page. For a brief introduction, read the Jujitsu page on this site.
Who are you?
I'm Lisa Hirsch. I'm a second-degree black belt in Dan Zan Ryu. I started practicing in 1982 and I have more than 25 years of teaching experience.
What's your teaching philosophy?
I teach with kindness, humor, and respect. I believe that learning is a collaborative activity; I, the instructor, and you, the student, are working together for your advancement. I try to find the approach that works best for your strengths and who you are.
Who do you teach?
Pretty much any adult or teen. You don't have to be athletic, strong, flexible, young, or thin to practice DZR. We are an LGBTQIA-welcoming dojo. Women's self-defense classes are open to all women, cis or trans. If you're disabled, give us a call. DZR is highly adaptable and we try to make the style work for as many people as possible.
Do you teach private lessons?
I believe that students learn jujitsu and self-defense best in a class: you can see what others are doing (including Sensei) and you have a built-in support system. These things reinforce your own learning.
However, if there's no other way for you to learn DZR, you can schedule private lessons with me. The fee is $85/hour, $110/hour for two people. A private lesson is defined as any lesson outside regular class times that is scheduled specifically for a particular person or pair of people.
Where are you located again?
We are in Emeryville:
Emeryville Martial Arts
4770 San Pablo Ave, Unit B
Emeryville, CA
What do your classes cost?
First class is free!
$75/mo. We recommend membership in the American Judo & Jujitsu Federation.
Classes are open to all, regardless of ability to pay. Just let me know if you need to pay a reduced fee.
I'm thinking of coming in for a free class. What should I do?
Please let me know in advance! Classes are sometimes canceled at the last minute (if I've gotten sick or if all of my students have told me they are not coming). I need to be able to contact you if you there won't be class.
Bring evidence of vaccination and a mask.
You can email me (sensei@opendoorjujitsu.com) or phone or text me (510-842-6243) to let me know that you are planning to come to class.
When can I start?
Any time at all. You can come by and watch a class first, or just dive right in. Again, it's best to let me know your plans.
What should I wear to my first class?
Loose, comfortable clothing. Socks are optional (I wear them, you're not required to). If you have a white judo gi and white obi, you can wear that.
What's the school uniform?
White judo gi and t-shirt, unless you're a black belt. Black belts can wear a black gi or gi pants.
How come you bow all the time?
To show respect for each other, to mark the opening or closing of class or a lesson, and to honor the traditions and history of DZR.
Okay, when should I bow, and how?
Bow from the hips and keep your eyes up and on the person or people you're bowing to. While the Japanese tradition is to look at the mat when you bow, I trained in a self-defense-oriented tradition, and I was taught to look up.
As for when, at the time we bow on and off the mat, at the beginning and end of class, and at the beginning and end of lessons. Also, if you're leading exercises, the instructor leading class bows the class over to you, then you bow the class over to the person leading rolls and falls, who will bow the class over to the instructor when rolls and falls are over.
What are classes like?
We start with a warm-up that includes range of motion, stretching, and strengthening exercises. Then we all practice rolls and falls (called sutemi, which is pronounced stemmy). After that come individual jujitsu assignments in which you work on whatever is appropriate for your current rank.
How long will it take me to get promoted?
Probably not too long, because I am in the process of dividing my beginners' (white belt) program into short segments.
How long will it take me to get a belt rank promotion?
That's a little more complicated. There's no way to tell, but it depends primarily on how consistently you come to class.
How long does it take to get to black belt?
That's really complicated. This varies enormously from person to person and depends on consistent practice, persistence, your physical abilities, your physical durability, and your willingness to change. Putting it another way, I have known people who took from three to ten years to reach shodan (first-degree black belt). I cannot predict how long it will take any particular person.
What should I look for in a dojo?
Read my essay on finding the right martial art for you.
What if I don't like jujitsu or don't like this dojo?
I'll help you find a style, school, or instructor you like better. No school or style is right for everybody.
More questions?
We're happy to chat with you about martial arts and provide referrals to other schools. Our phone number and email are in the footer of this page.
Dan Zan Ryu Jujitsu, sometimes known as Kodenkan Jujitsu.
What's DZR like?
Dan Zan Ryu jujitsu is a beautiful, power, practical martial art and an effective self-defense system. As you advance through the ranks, you learn arts that build on what you already know, from hand arts to throws and pins to complex combination arts. For lots more information, read Nancy and Matt Bigham's What is Jujitsu? page. For a brief introduction, read the Jujitsu page on this site.
Who are you?
I'm Lisa Hirsch. I'm a second-degree black belt in Dan Zan Ryu. I started practicing in 1982 and I have more than 25 years of teaching experience.
What's your teaching philosophy?
I teach with kindness, humor, and respect. I believe that learning is a collaborative activity; I, the instructor, and you, the student, are working together for your advancement. I try to find the approach that works best for your strengths and who you are.
Who do you teach?
Pretty much any adult or teen. You don't have to be athletic, strong, flexible, young, or thin to practice DZR. We are an LGBTQIA-welcoming dojo. Women's self-defense classes are open to all women, cis or trans. If you're disabled, give us a call. DZR is highly adaptable and we try to make the style work for as many people as possible.
Do you teach private lessons?
I believe that students learn jujitsu and self-defense best in a class: you can see what others are doing (including Sensei) and you have a built-in support system. These things reinforce your own learning.
However, if there's no other way for you to learn DZR, you can schedule private lessons with me. The fee is $85/hour, $110/hour for two people. A private lesson is defined as any lesson outside regular class times that is scheduled specifically for a particular person or pair of people.
Where are you located again?
We are in Emeryville:
Emeryville Martial Arts
4770 San Pablo Ave, Unit B
Emeryville, CA
What do your classes cost?
First class is free!
$75/mo. We recommend membership in the American Judo & Jujitsu Federation.
Classes are open to all, regardless of ability to pay. Just let me know if you need to pay a reduced fee.
I'm thinking of coming in for a free class. What should I do?
Please let me know in advance! Classes are sometimes canceled at the last minute (if I've gotten sick or if all of my students have told me they are not coming). I need to be able to contact you if you there won't be class.
Bring evidence of vaccination and a mask.
You can email me (sensei@opendoorjujitsu.com) or phone or text me (510-842-6243) to let me know that you are planning to come to class.
When can I start?
Any time at all. You can come by and watch a class first, or just dive right in. Again, it's best to let me know your plans.
What should I wear to my first class?
Loose, comfortable clothing. Socks are optional (I wear them, you're not required to). If you have a white judo gi and white obi, you can wear that.
What's the school uniform?
White judo gi and t-shirt, unless you're a black belt. Black belts can wear a black gi or gi pants.
How come you bow all the time?
To show respect for each other, to mark the opening or closing of class or a lesson, and to honor the traditions and history of DZR.
Okay, when should I bow, and how?
Bow from the hips and keep your eyes up and on the person or people you're bowing to. While the Japanese tradition is to look at the mat when you bow, I trained in a self-defense-oriented tradition, and I was taught to look up.
As for when, at the time we bow on and off the mat, at the beginning and end of class, and at the beginning and end of lessons. Also, if you're leading exercises, the instructor leading class bows the class over to you, then you bow the class over to the person leading rolls and falls, who will bow the class over to the instructor when rolls and falls are over.
What are classes like?
We start with a warm-up that includes range of motion, stretching, and strengthening exercises. Then we all practice rolls and falls (called sutemi, which is pronounced stemmy). After that come individual jujitsu assignments in which you work on whatever is appropriate for your current rank.
How long will it take me to get promoted?
Probably not too long, because I am in the process of dividing my beginners' (white belt) program into short segments.
How long will it take me to get a belt rank promotion?
That's a little more complicated. There's no way to tell, but it depends primarily on how consistently you come to class.
How long does it take to get to black belt?
That's really complicated. This varies enormously from person to person and depends on consistent practice, persistence, your physical abilities, your physical durability, and your willingness to change. Putting it another way, I have known people who took from three to ten years to reach shodan (first-degree black belt). I cannot predict how long it will take any particular person.
What should I look for in a dojo?
Read my essay on finding the right martial art for you.
What if I don't like jujitsu or don't like this dojo?
I'll help you find a style, school, or instructor you like better. No school or style is right for everybody.
More questions?
We're happy to chat with you about martial arts and provide referrals to other schools. Our phone number and email are in the footer of this page.