Day One
Are you new to the Art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
Thank you for taking the time to check out our site! We are excited to have visitors. When people are new to something they are often apprehensive. My goal is to give you an introduction to the art and walk you through what someone new to the art might be curious about. You might also find some of your questions answered in the Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) section of our website. First off, what is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu “BJJ”? BJJ is a martial art that delivers where many martial arts fail. It is designed for smaller weaker people to protect themselves from larger stronger people. Best of all, it actually works. BJJ is a complete martial art. It deals with self defense from standing positions all the way to the ground. It tends to focus on the ground because that is where size and strength can most easily be defeated.
Do I need to be in shape to join?
Definitely not. Most adults have physical issues that they deal with. It could be: an old injury, too much weight, physical limitations or mental limitations. If you are concerned that you are not healthy enough to train, speak with your doctor first. Many of our instructors have 15 or 20 years in the art and have worked with a wide variety of people. The thought process of training BJJ relating to physical abilities is that you do not adapt to the art, the art adapts to you. A 35 year old man or woman will not be training like a 20 year old. The age may change but the thought process to training does not. What will happen when I walk in the door? You will be greeted by one of our instructors. We will introduce ourselves and begin to discuss what we do and ask what you are looking for in the way of training. We can give you a walk around in our facility. If you are interested, we will schedule a time where we can meet for a more in depth discussion. The second meeting will take as long or as short as you wish.What is a first class like for a new student?
Prior to your first class, one of the instructors will schedule a one on one or a small group session. This will take about an hour. We will discuss acceptable gym behavior and safety concerns. We will then walk you through the most basic positions of the sport so wear your sweats. Our goal is to get to know each other a little bit better. It also lets you find out what the art is like in an introductory setting.
Prior to starting your first group class, your training background will be taken into account. If you have previously trained in an art like wrestling or judo, you are going to take to this art like a fish to water. If you are brand new, you will attend a mixture of regular class and the adult fundamentals class. In the fundamentals class you will go over the basics until you, and the instructor, feel you are ready to attend a regular class on a fulltime basis.
What is the best part of training BJJ?
For me, the best part is the people I have met along with the health benefits it has provided. Exercise and social activity are a large part of the art. The feeling of a great workout with a bunch of friends is hard to beat. The second best part is the feeling of self-confidence I have with the knowledge that I can defend myself and my family.
