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Ways To Get Active For American Heart Month

Did you know the February is American Heart Month? A month-long observance dedicated to promoting national awareness about heart disease, an initiative that you can take to be a part of it is encouraging both yourself and those around you to be active. The Heart Foundation reports that heart disease is the number one killer of women, and in fact, every 60 seconds, someone in the U.S is said to pass away from a heart-disease related event. With numbers like these, it seems only obvious that we should all be working to reduce our risk, and being physically active is one way to do so! Below, we’ve listed a few easy ways that you can get started:

Take up a sport. Sports are a great way to promote activity, especially when you participate in one that keeps you moving for the majority of the time. A great example of that? Brazilian Jiu Jitsu! In our Jiu Jitsu classes, we’ll get your body moving, resulting in your best you yet!
Go on walks. It doesn’t matter if you get up and out right when you wake up, on your lunch break, or after dinner, all that matters is that you get yourself going! The American Heart Association explains that walking for as few as 30 minutes a day can truly make a difference when it comes to your heart’s health.
Use the stairs. Elevators can be convenient, but they don’t do too much for your heart rate. So, take the stairs instead! Even if you’re only going up one or two flights, those few moments of exercise can contribute to big differences in your health.
Walk the dog. For those of you who have a pet at home, they can be more than just your best friend – they can be your workout buddy too! If you usually just let your pup roam free in your yard, try mapping out a safe route that you can walk with them on instead.
Park farther away. We all love to park close to our destinations, especially when it’s cold out, but parking just a bit farther away can help us get in those extra steps that we need. That said, instead of fighting for the first spot, throw on an extra layer and voluntarily park your car towards the back of the lot.

Last but not least, don’t forget to check out our Gracie Jiu Jitsu Power Fitness class! When you train with us, you’ll experience increased energy levels and strength, and most importantly, you’ll be working to combat health issues and diseases. Click here to sign up for a FREE introductory power fitness class.

For more information about the programs we offer here at Renzo Gracie NH that can help you get active, please give us a call at (603) 777-2775.

February 10, 2016/by Renzo Gracie NH

Blue Belt Vs. Black Belt

Defend

Recently, I bumped into someone while wearing my Renzo Gracie BJJ hoodie. They mentioned how they were learning Jiu Jitsu, and how they are learning under a teacher that is wearing a blue belt.

Their training consist of some rolling and watching videos online. They then record themselves performing a belt test video and mail it to California to be reviewed. For those who are unaware, a blue belt is just one step above a white belt, they have learned just the very basics of BJJ.

I would like to share with you why having your blue belt instructor is the wrong approach to learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and what to look for in a Professor with a black belt.

There is a huge difference from learning from someone who has spent over a decade mastering their art, versus just a single year. It would be like using a lighter to walk through a cave rather than a lantern.

Your not going to get far, you won’t be able to see the details needed to navigate through safely and at the end, your going to get burned.

A blue belt is unable to teach multiple escapes from numerous positions, their counter attacks, along with nuances that can change a futile attempt at a choke to a choke that works with efficacy and effectiveness.

A black belt is able to convey their knowledge and teach you the safe, correct way to roll with your teammates so there are less injuries on and off the mat. There are multiple advantages to being taught from a black belt and none from learning from a blue belt that calls themself a teacher.

Calling yourself a teacher and being just one step above white belt while teaching others does nothing but hurt the art of Jiu Jitsu. People will receive their blue belt under such a “teacher” and think they have reached the pinnacle of BJJ. They sadly will be let down when they realize they have barley started the journey up the mountain from a guide who has never left the first base camp.

If you wish to learn BJJ in a safe, family oriented and professional atmosphere please contact us at wordpress-52728-316620.cloudwaysapps.com
603-777-2775

February 3, 2016/by Renzo Gracie NH

What To Look For In A Kids Self Defense Program

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If you have children at home, then you know that as a parent, it’s only natural to always look out for their best interest. From the foods they eat to the clothes they wear, the people they hang out with and the plans they make, all you want is to see them happy and safe – the same goes for any extracurricular activities you sign them up for.

For those of you with children interested in learning self defense, it isn’t enough to do a quick online search for self defense classes/academies in your area – you need to do some serious research. That includes checking out websites, calling the academies, and even stopping by to learn what the programs and staff are all about. As you do so, here are a couple of things to look for:

Experience

You wouldn’t leave your children in the hands of just anybody, so one of the most important things you need to find out is how much experience the academy staff has. Here at Renzo Gracie NH, our own Professor Kevin Landry has been training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu since 1994. In fact, he has even traveled to Brazil to learn about the sport, was a gold medal winner at the New York Open Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Championships, and was promoted to 2nd degree Black Belt in April of 2015 – now that’s the type of background you should be looking for in an instructor!

Safety

Considering the nature of a self defense class, it’s important that you feel that the academy you choose exhibits a safe environment. So, inquire about what safety precautions they have in place, ask about their protocol in the event of a student injury, and perhaps most importantly, take a look around the inside of the gym to see how things are set up – does the space look inviting or does it appear dangerous? At our Exeter and Salem locations, you can bet we do everything we can to ensure that your children are kept safe before, during and after their time with us.

Involvement

An academy that invites and encourages parents to stay and watch their children during a class says a lot – it certainly means the instructors are confident that you’ll like what you see! Although you’re looking for a class specifically for your child, it’s important for you to feel like you are a part of their learning experience, and that’s exactly what we do here at Renzo Gracie NH – we want your children AND you to become a part of our family!

All that said, if you’re looking for a kids self defense class near Exeter, Salem or Manchester, NH, we encourage you to check out our selection of programs! We even offer a free introductory kids class so that you can get to know us before making a commitment.

For more information about the kids self defense classes we offer, please call (603) 777-2775 today.

January 28, 2016/by Renzo Gracie NH