Blog | Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu | Renzo Gracie NH

Mistakes To Avoid In Jiu Jitsu Training

Your first day in a Jiu Jitsu class is an extremely exciting one, but before you get ready to take the mat, there are a few basic training tips you should know to get the most out of your class time. Of course you’ll learn these from your instructor as you progress, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to go into your first class with a few tips under your belt now does it? Definitely not!

Below, let’s take a look at some mistakes you should do your best to avoid over the course of your Jiu Jitsu training:

Not Eating Right

Your success doesn’t just come from what happens in the gym, it’s also a result of what you do outside of that. So, follow a healthy diet and always make it a priority to eat well before and after your training session. And don’t forget about the water! Staying hydrated is key, so always have a water bottle near by.

Having Bad Posture

We’re all guilty of slouching every now and then, but during your Jiu Jitsu training, it’s important to focus on your body’s alignment. Especially considering that having good posture can help you with things such as staying balanced, it’s crucial that you start practicing this early on so that it becomes second nature.

Always Making It A Competition

Your class time is meant to help you get better, and although it’s always nice to win and be the best, you should look at your time in the gym as a learning experience rather than a competition. When you view your training as a learning process, it’ll be much easier to shoot for the stars and continue to excel, whereas when you always try to win, you may wind up limiting yourself.

At both our Salem and Exeter training academies, we have a group of expert instructors that are ready to help students of all ages become the best martial artists they can be. If you’re interested in pursuing Jiu Jitsu, sign up for a FREE introductory lesson with Professor Kevin Landry or give us a call at (603) 777-2775 to learn more about the programs we offer. We’d love to see you in one of our gyms soon!

March 1, 2016/by Renzo Gracie NH

How Do Self Defense Classes Help With Bullying?

Defend

Anyone with children in school knows that bullying is a serious problem that students face both in and out of the classroom. Stopbullying.gov reports that 28% of U.S students in grades 6-12, and 20% of students in grades 9-12, have been bullied. Unfortunately, though, research shows that only 20 – 30% of those who are bullied actually notify adults of the situation, with common reasons why being that they are scared to speak up or fear that they will appear to be weak.

The real question now is what can be done to help those who are bullied and prevent it from happening again in the future? A personal recommendation of ours is to have children take a self defense class. Here are a few ways that they can help:
They Improve Communication Skills

Knowing how to communicate properly with a bully can help defuse a situation before it gets too out of hand, and can especially help with preventing things from becoming physical. And in addition to knowing the right way to speak to a bully, self defense classes can also help children and young adults learn how to communicate with their bodies. For example, they’ll learn how to look and feel more confident, which can deter a bully from approaching them in the first place.
They Offer Real-Life Experiences

Depending on the class your child is enrolled in, they may have an opportunity to role-play in some potential bullying scenarios. By having the chance to fine-tune their skills and practice their responses, children can be better prepared to tackle these kinds of situations when they unfold without an instructor by their side.
They Teach Self Defense Tactics

Most importantly, any self defense class will teach its students the right tactics they need to care for themselves in a number of situations. So, if they are ever approached by a bully, they won’t just have to do the best they can to protect themselves – they’ll know exactly how to respond and do so correctly the first time around.

For those of you with children at home in Exeter or Salem, New Hampshire, we highly recommend that they join a self defense class. In fact, you should too! After all, bullying doesn’t necessarily end when you graduate, so it’s important that we’re all prepared.

To learn more about the self defense programs we offer at Renzo Gracie NH, please give us a call at (603) 777-2775 today.

February 26, 2016/by Renzo Gracie NH

The History of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Defend

Whether you’re an active participant in a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class or are simply just a fan of the sport, there’s a lot more to know than just the names of successful athletes and the strategies used. And the very best place to start when it comes to gaining more knowledge about BJJ is the beginning – where did it originate? Who introduced it to the world? What type of fighting does it entail? The good news is, if you’re looking for this type of information, you’ve come to the right place. And if you weren’t looking for it at first, well, then it’s a good thing you found us. Now, let’s dive into what Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is all about.

First and foremost, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a form of martial arts that places its focus on grappling and ground fighting. With a Japanese origin, the purpose of this fighting style is to not only dominate an opponent by taking them to the ground, but also to build character and improve physical fitness.

Mitsuyo Maeda, a student of Kodokan Judo, has a lot to do with the development of BJJ and how it was introduced to the world. In 1904 he left Japan to share his talent with other countries, demonstrating the art of “jiu-do” and fighting against wrestlers, boxers and other martial artists. In 1914 he made it to Brazil, and later met Gastão Gracie, a name that would forever be remembered by the martial arts community.

After seeing one of Maeda’s performances, Carlos Gracie, son of Gastão Gracie, was determined to to learn Judo under Maeda’s watch. Following a few years of studying with Maeda, Carlos shared his new found knowledge with his brothers, and eventually, the youngest, Hélio Gracie, developed Gracie Jiu Jitsu, a form of martial arts we all know today. Since Hélio was limited in the Judo moves he could perform due to doctor’s orders, Gracie Jiu Jitsu is ultimately his own rendition of Judo techniques.

Fast forward to the early 1990s – this is when Brazilian Jiu Jitsu expert Royce Gracie won the first, second and fourth Ultimate Fighting Championships. As he continued to excel, this form of martial arts became well respected in the MMA community, and now sport BJJ tournaments are popular world wide.

Do we have you hooked yet? For more information about the history of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, including details about certain fighting techniques, click here.

At Renzo Gracie NH, we strive to do more than just teach our students how to excel in Jiu Jitsu – we also like to share our knowledge about the sport. If you have any questions about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, including information about the techniques we teach, don’t hesitate to ask us! And if you haven’t already, be sure to connect with us on social media, as we update our pages frequently with news, tips and tons of other information about martial arts.

February 18, 2016/by Renzo Gracie NH