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Master level instruction for all students. Call or text Leigh at (585) 354-8946 to get started.


Ladies: Try Some Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu!!!

6/24/2015

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This is a open invitation to all women and girls out there: Come train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu!

BJJ tends to be a male dominated martial art, which I can kinda understand. Rolling around, sweating, grunting, and jamming body parts in various directions isn't considered traditional ladylike behavior. I still remember one class when Sensei Ward instructed me in a very matter of fact manner to jam the blade of my hand deep into his armpit. Eventually BJJ practitioners get used to this kind of thing, but to a newbie it can be pretty strange.

Don't get me wrong, I used to be very uncomfortable on the ground. Sometimes I still struggle with it. I prefer keeping people in my kicking range, not up close and personal. However, getting decent on the ground is incredibly important for martial artists and women in particular, in my humble opinion.

The facts are sad, terrifying, and disturbing: 1 in 4 women experience some form of sexual abuse and/or assault. One in four. Wow. But what does this have to do with BJJ?

A few things. First, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu utilizes body leverage and positioning. There is very little strength required. Even a small individual can out maneuver and dominate a bigger and stronger opponent. Also, BJJ teaches you how to deal with someone trying to pin you down. This very practical in self defense terms. I'm not an expert, but I can see many sexual assaults happening from this position. Finally, training on the ground develops confidence and expertise in an otherwise vulnerable position. Most of us have been there, whether in training or even rough housing. Having someone pin you down is scary... Unless you know BJJ and have a few of your favorite sweeps and chokes in your arsenal.

So, if you're female and thinking about training I encourage you to pick Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. If you're a parent with a daughter, I strongly urge you to bring her to our kids BJJ class. Empowerment, confidence, respect, and strength are all tools we can use to end violence against women.


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The Dreaded "McDojo"

6/15/2015

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Having moments of dread is something I'm getting used to, being a new business and dojo co-owner. It doesn't matter if it's an exploding toilet or a surprise class full of brand new students: Sudden moments of fear seem to pop up on a semi-regular basis. One of those moments happened to me Sunday evening after watching an episode of Star Trek.

I suddenly found myself wondering if the only way to be successful as a business owner was to compromise and become a McDojo. One of those schools that hand out black belts like candy, that breed overconfidence and sloppy technique, one of those schools that gives Karate a bad name. I started picturing classes that resembled a Saturday afternoon at Chuck E Cheese. What if that was the only way we could make it? 

Things have a way of working themselves out. We had our first kids BJJ testing and decided to test our kids the same way adults were tested. The students had to get out of a difficult position. Pass or fail, they would either succeed and break free of the hold or they would give up and fail. I was nervous about it. This was a difficult test and parents would be watching. However, the students were phenomenal. They worked incredibly hard and refused to give up, even when class technically ended. Brennan and I were incredibly proud.

It was then I realized  that I didn't need to worry about becoming a McDojo. While some students may want to be placated with advanced belts without the time or work, I believe most do not. Parents and students alike are not dumb. They know quality. Deep down they know if a rank was truly earned or just handed out. While it may seem difficult at times, most students want the work that comes before an accomplishment. They recognize when a rank is truly earned and when they are being patronized. I struggle sometimes trying to find ways to make the hundred thousandth time a student has done Seisan Kata interesting and engaging. But students like the journey. They enjoy putting in the work and then seeing the end result. 

There will be some students who just want the belt. They will train for a few months and inevitably leave and find a dojo that will provide them with a pat on the head and a belt around their waist. There will also be students like our kids who recently tested in BJJ. We don't need to compromise our standards, in fact we refuse to do so and it isn't even necessary.
 
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