Unified Movement Across Disciplines: A Shared Principle in Jutjutsu, Judo, and Iaido

Have you ever felt that your training in one martial art somehow improves another—even when the techniques look completely different?

Have you noticed that certain movements feel universally “right,” regardless of whether you’re throwing, striking, or cutting? 

And have you ever wondered if there’s a deeper principle connecting these disciplines beyond style, culture, or lineage?

In this article, we explore how jujutsu, judo, and iaido share a unified movement philosophy rooted in posture, energy expression, and adaptability. Drawing from Daniel Holland’s “Martial Artists as Shapeshifters,” we’ll examine how these arts reveal a common physical intelligence that transcends individual systems—and why understanding this connection matters for serious martial artists.

The Martial Artist as a Shapeshifter

In Martial Artists as Shapeshifters, Daniel Holland presents a compelling idea: martial arts are not simply collections of techniques, but systems of postural intelligence. Each art trains the body to express energy in specific, intentional ways—ways that can be adapted across contexts.

Rather than viewing jujutsu, judo, and iaido as isolated practices, Holland encourages us to see them as different expressions of the same underlying human mechanics. The martial artist becomes a “shapeshifter,” capable of reorganizing posture, balance, and intent to meet changing demands.

This perspective aligns strongly with the broader educational mission of the International Martial Arts Association, which emphasizes principle-based understanding over rigid stylistic boundaries.

Unified Movement in Jujutsu and Judo

At first glance, jujutsu and judo may appear distinct—one often associated with battlefield adaptability, the other with sportive refinement. Yet both rely on identical foundational principles:

• Efficient posture and alignment
• The intelligent use of gravity and balance
• Redirection rather than force-on-force resistance

In both disciplines, success depends on how well the practitioner can express energy through structure, not muscular strength alone. A throw in judo and a takedown in jujutsu may differ in execution, but both emerge from the same capacity to feel, disrupt, and reorganize an opponent’s center.

This shared movement logic highlights why cross-training often feels natural rather than contradictory. The body recognizes familiar patterns even when the outward form changes.

Iaido and the Expression of Stillness

Iaido may seem like an outlier—solitary, precise, and weapon-focused—but its movement principles are deeply connected to grappling arts.

Iaido emphasizes:

• Postural integrity
• Controlled transitions between stillness and action
• Whole-body coordination guided by intent

The draw, cut, and return are not isolated arm movements; they are full-body expressions of balance and energy flow. Like jujutsu and judo, iaido trains the practitioner to move from a stable center, maintaining awareness and adaptability at all times.

When viewed through Holland’s lens, iaido becomes another expression of the same shapeshifting capacity—proof that unified movement exists even across armed and unarmed disciplines.

Why Shared Principles Matter

Understanding unified movement across disciplines does more than improve technical skill—it reshapes how martial artists learn.

When practitioners focus on principles rather than isolated techniques, they gain:

• Greater adaptability under pressure
• A deeper understanding of body mechanics
• The ability to transfer skills across systems

This approach reflects the educational philosophy long supported by the International Martial Arts Association, where martial study is seen as a lifelong process of refinement, exploration, and integration.

Rather than asking, “Which art is better?” the more meaningful question becomes, “What is this art teaching my body about movement, balance, and intent?”

Exploring Unified Movement Through Martial Scholarship

Holland’s work reminds us that martial arts are living systems. Forms evolve, contexts change, and practitioners adapt—but the human body remains the common ground.

If you’re interested in exploring martial arts beyond surface-level technique—and want to deepen your understanding of shared principles, movement philosophy, and martial history—reach out today.