How Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Classes can Transform Your Life

The following is the first of a guest blog series by John Bettencourt on his first of many Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Classes.

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I hope you will join me on my journey, as I share my thoughts and experiences of being a brand new Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. There is a vast world of BJJ and I just stuck my toes into the shallow end. Please keep your elbows and knees in; this is going to be a bumpy ride.

I’m an out of shape, married, 38 year old with an 15 month old terror of a loving daughter.

I live a normal life, work a full day and get pulled into a hundred directions just like everyone else. But one day I decided to make a change. Not just any change but a life transforming change.

How It All Started

It all started when I drove by the sign in the middle of the summer. “Coming soon” it stated, “Renzo Gracie BJJ.” I felt guilty, as I made the left going past the sign, knowing what I was doing to my body as I just pulled out of the fast food restaurant a minute before. I was stuffing my face with a double patty and fries.

Even though I had dropped about 60 pounds by cutting out what I was currently eating and maintaining a mostly Paleo diet, I was stuck and needed help.

I Knew I Needed to Make a Change

My entire life I’ve always been a bigger guy. When I was a freshman in high school I weighed around 220 and I had a stocky build. I was the big clumsy kid in gym class that used excuses on rope day and track day.

I wanted a change. I didn’t want to be the big funny guy that I was known for. I wanted to be in shape and taken seriously. But I didn’t know how to get there.

I knew deep down I needed to push myself to make changes so I could become the person I knew I could be. I researched for months, looking at videos online and reading about BJJ in magazines.

Worry and Doubt Stalked Me

I worried about looking like an MMA fighter at work with black and blue eyes and a bloody nose. I worried about joining a belt factory. I worried about wasting my time on a defense system that wouldn’t help me reach my goals.

My worry and doubt kept me in the do-nothing cycle for months.

The more research I did, the more I desperately wanted to jump on the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu train. My wife gave me the OK to sign up and I contacted Renzo Gracie NH.

I got a response almost immediately with a warm welcome to come down and try a class to see if I liked it. I decided to attend class that same night.

If you were around me that day, you would have seen me Googling “First BJJ class,” “How to not be a newbie at BJJ,” “tips for new BJJ student,” etc. I read the limited information I found, and absorbed it all.

Jiu Jitsu Jitters

Now…remember…I’m 38, burly and tough. By noon that day, I developed a sinking feeling in my stomach as if it was my first day at a new school…and I knew no one.

I tried to keep myself busy and talk myself up. I wondered how the class would go as my feet hit that mat. An hour before I had to be at the school, I began to get ready.

I read on a forum about how stinky jui jitsu partners are a big no-no, so I took a shower and cut my nails so short that they were bleeding in a few spots.

I packed my bag, filling it with water and a towel. I didn’t have a Gi yet so I wore work out shorts and an Under Amour T shirt. I drank a protein shake and walked out the door. I kissed my wife goodbye as if the next time she heard from me was going to be from the back of the ambulance.

I arrived early. Professor Landry  gave me a warm greeting,  a tour of the school, and he explained what Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes were like.

I was ecstatic that it was like a mental and physical chess game. At the same time I was scared as hell.

Was I going to be able to keep up with the class? I didn’t want to hurt anyone and I didn’t want to get hurt either. I signed a basic contract and headed to the mats. I knew I needed this and didn’t need the free class to prove it was worth it to me.

I bow in when I stepped on the mats. I saw Bloodsport and Karate Kid 1 and 2, that’s what you’re supposed to do, right?

Day 1 of a Future of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Classes

As soon as I end my bow, a guy walks over and extends his hand out to me. He introduces himself and welcomes me to the school. I start to feel a bit better and try to gracefully sit down to warm up my legs. Everyone at this point is in small groups talking about their week and I am in the corner trying to stay out of the way. That’s when another guy walks up offers a hand and he introduces himself as well. I get invited to the closest small circle and I have a huge grin on my face.

After a few minutes of light chatting and pretending to know what stretches I should do, we start a line up. I am out of place but figure out that it’s in the order of belts, and I am behind the 9 year old. I crack a smile and get in line.

Class begins with a light jog and I am told to just go at the pace I can handle and if I need to stop there is no shame in it because this is going to get me into shape. After about 30 seconds I realize this is the most I’ve ran in a long, long time. My face, I am sure, looked like a bright red pop tart. I survived the warm up and I heard myself wheezing. I composed myself as best I could and sit down for instructions with the rest of the class.

Professor Landry began showing us an arm lock and goes over it  few times at different angles so everyone catches the technique right. We then separated into rolling partners. I got paired up with an awesome gentleman slightly older than me and we started to work on what we were shown. A blue belt guides us to the right placement of how to do it correctly. Once we got the right movements, things started to flow. We each took a few turns slowly trying the move.

I began to feel more at ease, knowing that my partner was looking out for my safety and I his. We laughed and encouraged each other as we tried the arm lock out. Before I knew it, class was over and I was covered in sweat. My partner and I high-fived each other. Everyone was around in a big circle, talking and laughing. My mind was hoping I didn’t make a fool of myself on my first day.

I arrived home, slightly sore and tried to steal a kiss from the misses, who abruptly pointed to the shower and held her nose with her thumb and index finger high into the air. We both laughed and I did as she instructed.

I crawled into bed and my wife asked me how the class went. I explained to her that it felt like I was steam rolled and each muscle ached like a tiki torch was lit underneath me.

“Big baby,” she said as she rolled her eyes. “I thought you were in pain.”

“I am,” I replied. “And I can’t wait to go back.”

Until next time folks, remember to clean your gi, trim your nails, and leave the attitude at the door.

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Believe in Your Professor – An Interview with Neiman Gracie

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Renzo Gracie NH Podcasting had the honor and pleasure of chatting with Neiman Gracie just days before his Bellator debut fight against Bobby Flynn.

Neiman Gracie is first degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and an instructor at Renzo Gracie Academy in NYC. Neiman has medalled at the World No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu championship, the Pan Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi championships and the New York International Open IBJJF Championship.

In 2013, Neiman began competing in Mixed Martial Arts winning both of his fights by submission. In late 2014, Gracie signed with Bellator MMA and he’ll be making his debut against Bobby Flynn on February 27, 2015

What’s it like to fight having the Gracie name?

It’s my name and I know the legacy it carries. But, you know, I man with two arms and two legs just like any other man.

What kind of expectations or pressure is there, if any?

I don’t feel any pressure from my family. At 27, I’m still considered a baby coming up in the ranks. If anything, I think they want me to do my best and what happens, happens.

What have you been doing to prepare for your upcoming fight?

I had an excellent training camp and worked with my cousins and uncles to help prepare me for my upcoming fight. I worked with other fighters in MMA, Muay Thai, and Judo as well.

Did you change your nutrition plan as part of your training?

Yes. I had to be really strict so that I could get down to the 170lb weight category. Normally I fight at 190lb but I really wanted to get to this weight class. I had to lay off the Acai a little 😉

What do you like to eat right before a fight?

Pasta, pasta, pasta. Lot of carbs for energy!

How do you get in the zone for a fight? Do you have any rituals? Do you visualize?

I don’t believe in rituals. I think they’re more of a distraction and a false sense of security. I do visualize and that helps get me in the zone before a fight.

What are your 3 favorite training tips for students of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

Listen to your professor…Believe in your professor…and keep training!

 

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An Interview with Rolles Gracie

Renzo Gracie NH is excited to have Rolles Gracie in town for a 2 day Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Seminar.  Rolles will be training at the Exeter location on February 6 at 6PM and at the Salem location on February 7 at 10AM. Registration is $50 until February 5. If you register the day of the seminar it will be $60.

Rolles Gracie is a 3rd degree black belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and instructor at Renzo Gracie Academy in NYC.

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We got the chance to sit down with Rolles to talk about growing up in Jiu-Jitsu’s premier family, where Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is heading and everything in between.

Highlights From Our Interview with Rolles Gracie

RGNH: What was it like growing up in the Gracie family and being trained by your uncles?

Rolles: I feel blessed to have been born into the Gracie family, learning from my Uncles and spending time riding horses with my Uncle Helio.

RGNH: What was the most important thing about BJJ, philosophically or otherwise, that you learned from your family?

Rolles: In one word, RESPECT. Just because you may be stronger doesn’t mean you’re better. You always have something to learn and from whom better than our elders who are much wiser.

RGNH: Is there anything you wish that the Gracie family kept secret or confidential in BJJ?

Rolles: Absolutely nothing. Jui-Jitsu can only evolve by sharing everything. If you hold something back you hold back Jiu-Jitsu.

RGNH: How young is too young to begin training? What age would you start training a child?

Rolles: It’s never too soon and it’s never too late. Kids can begin training as young as 3 years old.

RGNH: What advice do you have for women who want to train but feel intimidated with the grappling, take downs, all the sweat, etc?

Rolles: Jiu-Jitsu can be intimidating to both men and women because of the grappling and close personal space in which Jiu-Jitsu happens. But it is the most effective in self-defense and many women would benefit from learning Jiu-Jitsu techniques.

RGNH: How does BJJ compare to other martial arts, like Karate or Judo or Muay Thai, when it comes to self-defense?

Rolles: The other martial arts most definitely have their place and I have a lot of respect for them. When it comes to self-defense, especially for a women or someone smaller, a strike (a punch) may break a hand and make the attacker even angrier. Jui-Jitsu will teach someone how to protect themselves from wrist grabs, chokes, and on the ground as well.

RGNH: One of the hardest things for students to do when they’re training is to relax. What’s your advice?

Rolles: When you’re holding tension or think you have to beat up your training partner, it holds you back. Relax by removing the pressure from yourself to submit everyone you roll with. You train to improve yourself.

RGNH: Where do you see BJJ in 15 to 20 years?

Rolles: Jiu-Jitsu is constantly evolving and we’re seeing a combination of technique and athleticism that’s taking the sport to a whole new level.

RGNH: What makes a good BJJ instructor and what should a new student be looking for when it comes to choosing to train with an instructor?

Rolles: The most important thing to look for in a Jiu-Jitsu professor is caring. You want to train with an instructor who cares about his students and treats them like extended family.

RGNH: What 3 tips do you have for students of BJJ and Kevin Landry?

Rolles:

  1. Relax, breathe, and check your ego at the door.
  2. Train not just for you but for your teammates and training partners as well.
  3. No pressure. Enjoy your time on the mats and have FUN!
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Karate for Kids – Is There More?

Are you a parent with a child who’s more Karate Kid than Duplo builder? Maybe you’re thought, “Karate for kids might not be a bad thing to put little Susie in. She’s rough, she’s tough, and she walks around the house karate chopping the cat.”

Maybe you remember the line in the movie, The Karate Kid, “wax on, wax off.” Maybe you appreciate the wisdom of Mr. Miyagi and the focus and discipline he instilled in his student, Daniel.

Just about every parent knows that karate for kids is a good thing. But is it the only martial art that’s good for kids? More specifically, is it the martial art that’s right for your child?

Truth be told, I am a die-hard Karate Kid fan. I’ve seen every movie at least a dozen times, including the remake with Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith. I’m also a big fan of Bruce Lee and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. In the 1990’s, when my daughters were children, I enrolled them in Tae Kwon Do, a Korean martial art similar in many aspects to Karate.

My daughters learned forms and they progressed to each belt level almost like clock-work. They learned discipline and how to break boards. They learned some self-defense but not the kind that matters when you’re mugged and dropped to the ground.

As a parent, my martial arts options were limited due to the small military community I lived in; however, today you have many options when it comes to signing your child up for a martial arts program.

I wish I had known about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the 1990’s. This style of martial arts would have been a perfect fit for my daughters that complimented their standing game of Tae Kwon Do.

Jiu-Jitsu offers many of the same benefits that other martial arts programs provide children: focus, determination, exercise, self-defense, and lasting friendships both on and off the mats.

While many martial art styles rely on strength and power, Jiu-Jitsu, known as “the gentle way,” relies on leverage and provides the advantage to the smaller and often weaker opponent.

As a woman who’s trained Tae Kwon Do and holds a second degree black belt in Muay Thai Kickboxing, I didn’t believe the leverage and smaller opponent thing either. That is, I didn’t believe it until I decided to train Jiu-Jitsu.

At 5’3” I’m vertically challenged and my best weapon, my right Thai kick, is useless on the ground.

Important Skills Taught to Every New Jiu-Jitsu White Belt

When I decided to train Jiu-Jitsu, I learned the following skills beginning from day one:

  • I learned leverage so that I could roll and submit a man twice my size.
  • I learned how to not panic in a tight situation.
  • I learned that relaxing into a defensive posture is much more powerful than tensing up and resisting my opponent.
  • I learned how to create space to breathe when someone is trying to choke me out. As long as you can breathe, you can decide and commit to your next move.

These are just some of the specialized skills your child will learn in Jiu-Jitsu as soon as they begin training. Your child will also be taught the concept of “either you win or you learn.” When you child is rolling with his or her teammate, your child will either experience a winning submission or experience a learning “tap out.”

The Jiu-Jitsu skill set increases feelings of confidence and empowerment and if it ever came to it, the skill set and techniques your child learns could very well be life-saving.

If you and your child are ready to experience Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, contact Renzo Gracie NH. We’re located in Exeter and Salem, NH. Give us a call, 603-777-2775

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Self Defense Classes – Do You Feel Safe When You Are Alone?

According to stopbullying.gov, “1 in 3 U.S. students say they have been bullied at school.” Everybody of all ages and sizes should start and maintain a certain level or type of self defense classes. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, for example, was designed for the smaller or weaker person to fend off a much larger attacker using leverage and technique. People of any age, size, strength or gender are able to use Jiu Jitsu leverage, rather than strength or striking, to outsmart opponents. In somewhat dramatic terms, if your son or daughter is capable of picking up a gallon of milk, with proper technique the child is able to choke out a grown man. Head to head she would not stand a chance regardless if she has studied other martial arts before.

After having achieved a foundation of self defense skills, Jiu Jitsu brings other benefits to bear. It requires incredible discipline to master the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a skill that will carry overly to every domain in life. As Gracie Mag author Marcelo Dunlop describes the dedication required for Jiu Jitsu, “it’s so good for the mind and soul.”

So, here is a scenario. A large bully comes up to your lovely daughter Kayla, throws her to the ground and attempts to choke her. Within the Jiu Jitsu spectrum, Kayla would have the ability to defend herself from her back with minimal effort, from a non-violent submission such as a basic choke to a more extreme level such as breaking an arm with an arm bar in dire circumstances.

 

Key Takeaway:

  • In a sometimes dangerous world, everyone needs to learn self defense
  • Brazilian Jiu Jitsu provides self defense skills that negate size and strength of attackers
  • Depending on the need, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioners may gently handle attackers or disable them
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