What is Nashville Jujitsu?

Nashville Jujitsu is a system of Self-Protection that blends the core principles of Professor Wally Jay’s style of Jujitsu with the street-smart survival skills and applications developed by Sensei Ed Melaugh.  Through self-protection, we emphasize taking the power away from the attacker, by using surprise, fear, and technique to overcome the attacker instead of relying solely on strength.

The emphasis of Nashville Jujitsu is based on identifying the attacker’s weakness and taking advantage of the opportunities presented to control that attacker. Again, the focus is on control and maintaining your cool under pressure. This comes with practice as we work on real life applications and drills in class.

Our system offers multiple options on how to handle an aggressor instead of being locked into a set series of techniques and movements as some Martial Arts Systems emphasize. This comes from the flexibility of Melaugh’s work in adapting positions and techniques to address any real life situation. Nashville Jujitsu helps you develop self-protection skills and techniques to make you confident that what you’re taught really works.

Our Association

Our school is associated with the NESCJA (New England Small Circle Jujitsu Academy). This school is the first Small Circle Jujitsu Academy in the United States. The head of NESCJA is Sensei Ed Melaugh, a martial arts master of over 30 years. Sensei Melaugh studied with Professor Wally Jay, founder of Small Circle Jujitsu, Professor Willy Cahill, Sijo James Demile and Master Dave Castoldi. It is Professor Jay and Master Dave Castoldi who have most influenced Sensei Melaugh and what our system of Self-Protection has become today.

Professor Wally Jay, Founder
Professor Jay is the founder of Small Circle Jujitsu ™ . He holds a 10th degree black belt in Jujitsu and a 6th degree in Judo. Professor Jay revolutionized jujitsu by focusing on efficiency rather than on tradition and by utilizing the techniques of other styles to improve his system. His open way of teaching and friendly personality have led to Professor Jay gaining many friends as well as students throughout the martial arts community. His principles have laid the groundwork for Small Circle Jujijtsu ™ that other instructors continue to teach and build upon to this day. When he is not traveling around the world or teaching Small Circle Jujitsu ™, he resides in Alameda, California.
Click here to learn more about the founder of Small Circle Jujitsu ™.

Sensei Ed Melaugh, Inheritor
Sensei Ed Melaugh has over 30 years of martial arts experience. His studies include learning under Professor Jay, Professor Willy Cahill, Sijo James Demile and Master Dave Castoldi.

A 8th degree black belt, Sensei Melaugh opened the New England Small Circle Jujitsu Academy in 1990. Named Inheritor (Soke Dai) by Professor Jay, he travels around the world sharing his experience and passion for Small Circle Jujitsu and self-protection.

Sensei Melaugh was one of the first instructors to build upon Professor Jay’s principles and develop methods to effectively achieve locks and controlling movements while in motion against an attacker. His method of teaching incorporates striking and locking with the street self-defense style of his instructor Sensei Dave Castoldi.
Click here to learn more about Ed Melaugh.