The instructors at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu of Kentucky would like to congratulate students Mark Wilson, Matt Wilson and Lewis Christopher for successfully passing their blue belt test this afternoon. Each demonstrated solid technique and a good understanding of the fundamentals of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. We couldn't be more proud of their accomplishment.
Click here to read a great article from the Christian Science Monitor. It was written by a mother who watched her son get attacked by a couple of bullies on a playground. Fortunately, her son had taken several months' worth of Gracie Bullyproof -- the same program we teach at our Academy. He came out of the altercation unscathed and with a renewed sense of self-confidence.
The bottom-line is that Gracie Jiu-Jitsu works and it's especially effective for children who are victims of bullies. Please continue to spread the word about our program, and invite young ones you know to one of our Bullyproof classes. They're held on Thursdays at 6:15 p.m. and Saturdays at 11:15 a.m.
If you haven't yet registered for Master Sauer's 2010 Fall Training Camp, click here for details on how to do so. Here's a clip from the camp from two years ago:
These training camps are always filled with excellent techniques and camaraderie. Whether you're beginner or advanced, you'll walk away with a fresh perspective on your game and Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in general.
This year's special guest instructor is Andre Galvao, a world jiu-jitsu champion black belt. He's teaching the Saturday afternoon session and is highly regarded in the grappling community as a solid technician and great instructor. Here's a highlight clip of Mr. Galvao in action:
So, what are you waiting for? Sign up today and join us on the mats next month, Nov. 19-21.
Excellent article about Master Relson Gracie and his thoughts about the current state of jiu-jitsu. Take a read and let us know what you think. Here's a brief snippet:
“I cannot handle an entire tournament where black belts can only win by advantage, staying in one position for ten minutes, and stalling. Anybody can be trapped in that game. Everybody screams hold on! Thirty-seconds left! Stay there! Stay there! That’s not real Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. That’s not what we’re about.” - Relson Gracie
We're going to soon film testimonials from many of our students and want to know more about why you and/or your child/family are training at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu of Kentucky. Please take some time to think about what motivated you to start taking Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. How has it changed/saved your life? What do you like most about our Academy?
Let us know if you're interested in providing a testimonial. We'd like to video several from a diverse array of students. If you'd rather write us your thoughts that would be great, too.
Engrenagem: Gracie Jiu Jitsu..Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: "Back in the day, my professor Helio Gracie agreed to begin the first jiu jitsu federation in Brazil. The starting of that federation allowed..."
We'd like to congratulate all who earned promotions recently. Chad Cunningham was promoted to purple belt, while students Brandon Hurst, Christopher Minks and Aaron Pedigo earned their blue belts.
Achieving rank in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is a huge accomplishment that doesn't come without personal sacrifice. The reward definitely outweighs everything, however, and we couldn't be more proud or honored to have you at our Academy.
Here's a rare find on YouTube of Master Rickson Gracie competing in a sport jiu-jitsu match. Of course, it ends in submission. He wasn't looking for points, just seeking a solid position and then the submission.
Lots of good life lessons presented in this video. It's long, but definitely worth your time and attention:
Carnegie Mellon Professor Randy Pausch (Oct. 23, 1960 - July 25, 2008) gave his last lecture at the university Sept. 18, 2007, before a packed McConomy Auditorium. In his moving presentation, "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams," Pausch talked about his lessons learned and gave advice to students on how to achieve their own career and personal goals.
Courtesy of Professor Pedro Valente of Gracie Miami:
I asked Grandmaster Hélio this question on his last trip to our academy in Miami and he explained that in the original Gracie Academy there were no belt level differentiations based on fighting skills. Belt colors were only awarded to distinguish instructors from students. In order to separate themselves from Judo instructors, who were teaching what they considered to be a limited sport for competition rather than a complete martial art, they didn't utilize the black belt. At that time, Gracie Academy instructors wore a light blue belt and head professors wore the dark blue. Only those who completed the professor's course under the Grandmaster himself could wear the dark blue belt.
With the creation of the Brazilian jiu-jitsu federation in 1967 by Elcio Leal Binda, the belt system of judo was adopted. In addition, a framework for sport jiu-jitsu, including a point system and weight divisions, which had never been accepted by Grandmasters Carlos and Helio before then, was established. As Judo was attracting a large following in Brazil under this sportive system, Grandmaster Helio agreed to give this structure a shot after being pressured by many of his students, who claimed that the inception of recreational jiu-jitsu tournaments would not have a negative effect on the art.
In the early 1990's, Grandmaster Helio realized that the mutation of his art was a direct result of point jiu-jitsu competitions, and that red belts were being awarded without his consent by individuals who weren't even red belts themselves. For these reasons, he decided to return to his original blue belt as a form of protest and to separate himself from the federation and from sport jiu-jitsu. As a humble teacher, Grandmaster Hélio felt very comfortable wearing a belt that currently indicates the first level of learning as well as his favorite color.
Wanted to let you know that you can follow the results of the 2010 World Jiu-Jitsu Championships live by checking out Gracie.com's blog at http://graciemagworlds.wordpress.com/.
Kron Gracie is having a rematch with Sergio Moraes at some point today. Don't think today's matches are being live-streamed, but if someone knows then please post!
On the No-Gi-Grappling.com website there’s a rare video of late Grandmaster Helio Gracie training will the late Rockson Gracie, his grandson. Excellent, rare footage.
Need another reason to convince you that Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is felt and not seen? Look no further than Professor Felipe Costa's work with the visually-impaired in Brazil. The attached video shows many of his students in action, proving -- or at least demonstrating -- the effectiveness of staying connected to an opponent during a match.
This information come courtesy of Rener Gracie, who is asking all practitioners to vote for his reality-show concept on Oprah's cable channel. The idea with the most votes will be turned into an upcoming show on her channel. The details are below....please vote several times as it is a noble cause and will further promote our wonderful art.
We'd like to congratulate all of our competitors who gave it their all at today's tournament. Your instructors couldn't be more proud of each and every one of you.
It's always important to keep things in perspective, whether you win or lose. For more on that, check out instructor Roy Dean's insights in the attached link.
In lieu of structured classes on Derby, we will be conducting an open mat between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. In addition, Sunday's open mat will occur during the same timeframe. Come with a game plan and be ready to work hard!
The instructor team at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu of Kentucky would like to congratulate student Matthew Wilson on a perfect ACT score. Matthew is a student of great character and ability...we know he has a bright future that includes one day achieving black belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu!
Keep training hard, both on-and-off the mat, Matt!
Louisville Martial Arts will be conducting a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Self-Defense fundraiser this Friday, April 23, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The cost is $50, and every penny will go towards the noble cause we discussed in class. You can register at the door. Click here for directions to LMAA.
Please make every effort to attend, and if you cannot, donations will still be accepted. See an instructor for additional details.
The attached link contains information about the May 8 brazilian jiu-jitsu tournament held at Fern Creek High School -- less than three weeks away. Keep training hard and we'll see you all on the mat!
Here's a glimpse of our Academy's new look. There's more to come, but it's amazing what paint and hard work can do to improve the surroundings. Thanks again to all the students who helped over the last several days. More to come....
Instructor Robert Lovi, Master Pedro Sauer's San Diego affiliate, lost his Academy last Thursday night due to a hit and run driver who smashed through the front of his Academy. Read the full details of how you can help below. Any donation would be much appreciated. You can donate through PayPal by accessing the attached link, or, if you'd prefer to give your donation to one of the instructors, please see Scott or myself and we'll ensure it gets to Mr. Lovi.
by Greg Savage (greg@sherdog.com) Brazilian jiu-jitsu legend Renzo Gracie will take on iconic welterweight Matt Hughes at UFC 112 “Invincible,” the company’s inaugural Middle East event, and he took some time out of his busy training schedule to sit down with Sherdog.com to discuss his preparations for the bout and his philosophy on the art he has dedicated his life to.
Gracie will be returning to the arena for the first time in over three years for his Octagon debut. Check out this exclusive video interview to hear one of the true gentlemen of the sport talk about his family lineage, his punching prowess and the decision-making process that led to his return to MMA at 43 years of age.
Great tips on countering the Americana, courtesy of Rener Gracie. Very detailed explanation on how to prevent a common submission.
Be careful, however, on leaving your free arm exposed and away from your body as you bridge -- it could lead to your opponent transitioning into an arm bar on the opposite side.
Very cool videos -- while in Florida, Rener Gracie had the chance to spar with 33 members of the Jacksonville SWAT team and Police Department. About half of them were experienced grapplers and the other half were new to jiu-jitsu, but all of them were in determined to win. The batteries in the camera died during the 21st match so you don’t get see the last 12 submissions. Check it out... “Fighting 33 opponents is like fighting a giant, you don’t decide when you win, they decide when they lose. “
This is a good display of Marcelo Garcia's technical ability against a much larger and stronger opponent. Andrei Arlovski, who weighs in at around 240 and is a former UFC champ, is no push-over on the ground. Marcelo uses some excellent transitions and proper weight distribution to neutralize Andrei's size and strength advantage.
Renzo Gracie was in Rio de Janeiro this week. But not to train Jiu-Jitsu, work on his boxing with his friend and coach Claudinho Coelho or do physical prep work in Rio’s nature. Renzo was invited to a wedding.
He was not just any guest. Indeed, he was the best man of his uncle George, brother of Renzo’s mother.Saturday night in family for the UFC fighter.
Among his relatives most clued in to the MMA world, the chatter was about how seriously the Jiu-Jitsu professor living in New Jersey was taking his fight against Matt Hughes.
“He lost 14kg for the fight; he’s lean” they said, impressed. In the group were black belts like Daniel Gracie, Carlos Russo, Flavio Canto, Leo Leite and Kyra Gracie. Naturally happy, Renzo drank only water.
And, of course, father to the fighter Grandmaster Carlos Robson Gracie drew everyone’s attention with his storytelling.
The attention of the guests was also drawn to the dialogue between the great master, famous for his catch phrases while presenting the TV show “Heróis do Ringue” in the late 1990s, and Olympic medalist Canto
The following is a repost from Graciemag.com about the one-year anniversary of the death of Grandmaster Helio Gracie:
It was on January 29, 2009, exactly a year ago, that Grandmaster Helio Gracie left us. But while there are still Jiu-Jitsu academies, the weak, women and children getting stronger through the art, his legacy shall only become more and more pervasive.
It needn’t be a special occasion for you to remember the teacher, and no matter what the tribute, it will never be enough to fully honor him. Even so, we set aside this video in which Helio does what he likes doing best.
This match, where he from the bottom choked unconscious an opponent 15 kg his heavier and even advised the distracted referee what he had done, was a milestone in the grandmaster’s career. ”It was the biggest thrill of my life,” he was quoted as saying in the newspapers of the time. And he confirmed it to GRACIEMAG 50 years thereafter: “It is true, because I found out my Jiu-Jitsu was superior to his.”
Check out the video and then read the technical breakdown of the hold, below:
Helio narrated the outcome of the fight: “He didn’t realize my other hand had gone in directly into the flap of the gi. We were trying for the choke, both of us with the hold in place, but it happened that Kato couldn’t get past the barrier of my legs, making my hold more effective and bringing us to the decisive phase of the fight.
“I noticed he gave up the hold to defend his neck, consummating my positional supremacy. I tightened the hold and Kato began to falter, his grip on my wrists weakening. So I held the choke in place and brought the referee’s attention to what was going on: ‘He’s going to pass out.’ The ref didn’t hear me or didn’t understand, but, in the end, I let him drop to the side, Kato landing with a thud,” recounted the professor, on “O Globo” TV.
Check out this blog when you get a chance. Hosted by black belt Rafael Lovato Jr, the blog features some great training tips and techniques. He's an avid competitor, and there's plenty of tournament advice featured in his posts. Definitely worth a visit and a look.
Check out this blue belt demonstration from Roy Dean Academy. The student, Caryn Ackerman, is Mr. Dean's first female to be promoted to the rank of blue belt, and deservedly so. Her crisp technique and attention to detail show a high level of proficiency with the blue belt curriculum.
In my opinion, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is the perfect system of self-defense for women. It's all leverage and technique, and Grandmaster Helio Gracie (with his 130 pound or so frame) proved time and time again that his technique could prevail over much larger and stronger attackers. Sure, size and strength will always be factors in an altercation, but it's short-sighted to believe that those elements cannot be overcome with proper training.
Unfortunately, however, women aren't encouraged (and oftentimes are discouraged) to participate in this gentle art because of the popular "MMA-tap-or-snap," brute mentality that is being perpetuated by the mainstream media.
I can speak for our Academy in saying that all are welcome at Spencer County Martial Arts, and love to see increasing diversity on the mats. If your wife or girlfriend has any doubt about the style and if it's a right fit for her, show them this video and invite them to watch a class.
Again, big props to Ms. Ackerman on her achievement.
We wanted to take an opportunity to say thank you again for your commitment to yourselves and to the Academy in 2009. The school continued to grow with newcomers who contribute to our unique atmosphere in numerous, positive ways.
Veteran students mentored every white belt and greeted everyone who stepped through our doors with a handshake and open arms. Integrity, sportsmanship and strong character are essential tenets of our students' success. We ask that the SCMA family keep to this tradition in 2010 and dedicate themselves to continuing to practice pure Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, as developed and refined by Grandmaster Helio Gracie.
We look forward to starting the new year off on a strong note tomorrow at Saturday's class. Please join us, and tell a friend to come and watch.
See you all on the mat -- and thank you once again.
Welcome to our blog for Gracie Jiu-Jitsu of Kentucky, formerly Spencer County Martial Arts.
Located just minutes from Louisville, Ky., our goal is to offer a safe, family-friendly, competitive environment, where personal growth is attainable for each individual. Whether your goal is competition, self-defense or just physical fitness, we have a program for men, women and children of all ages.Take the first step today. Call (502) 422-1957.
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