Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu - Monkey Bar Gymnasium

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Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Judo Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is primarily a ground fighting art and is quite possibly the best self defense art in the world. BJJ is a grappling art which generally does not utilize striking as a means of defeating an opponent rather it relies on technique, patience, and submission holds. Although BJJ is similar to wrestling and Judo there are some very important distinctions… watch video

Instead of relying on strength and power like Judo ground techniques and wrestling do, BJJ takes advantage of body position, balance, and the path of least resistance. Perfectly executed BJJ requires very little energy or effort and is similar to a physical chess match. Since BJJ does not rely on strength or power, the size and strength of an opponent do not matter. This allows smaller people to gain advantage by using greater speed, flexibility, and technique over larger, stronger opponents… watch video

Grappling techniques are essential for anyone interested in self defense, every martial artist, as well as professional fighters. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has revolutionized the world of competitive martial arts, dominating almost every form of combat competition.

The Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Team boasts:

Head Instructor: Thales Blaso (Purple Belt) - Rickson Gracie International Championships (Gold)
Instructor: Jon Hinds (Brown Belt) - Pan Ams (Gold), Rickson Gracie International Championships (Gold)
David Martin - 3x World Champion: Blue belt and 2x Purple Belt
James "Junior" Clark (Purple) - Midwest Grappling Championship Gold Medal, Gracie Nationals Gold Medal
Casey Blaso (Blue Belt) - World Championships (Bronze), Pan Ams (Silver), Arnolds (2x Gold), NAGA (Gold no gi), Brazilian State Champion

We teach two basic types of training, with the gi and without the gi. Each class has the same basic format. A warm-up begins each class and lasts for about 30 minutes. This is followed by a special topic such as passing the guard, or chokes from the back. This portion of the class lasts for about 45 minutes and is followed by drilling or open sparring with a partner. Everyone in class trains at the same time, from white belts all the way through black belts.

By the second or third month of training you can expect to have trained with everyone else in the academy. Every class is taught by an instructor with a purple belt rank or higher. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu uses a simple belt system: white, blue, purple, brown, and black.

You can expect to be a white belt for one to two years, blue belt for two to four years, purple belt for 2 to four years, and brown belt until you are ready for black belt. If you train diligently,(3 times per week or more), the path to black belt will take eight to fifteen years or more. We strongly encourage all of our students to compete in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, submission wrestling, and NHB competitions.

As soon as our students have a few basic techniques they are ready to compete against other white belts at about the same level. The sooner a student competes, the faster they learn and the quicker they understand what BJJ is really about. The training we do is hard but very rewarding. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu teaches exactly how each part of the human body works so you will develop a tremendous self awareness which is at the core of the training. ou will develop strength and endurance but you’ll also learn how to move efficiently through practicing relaxation and breathing techniques.

You can expect to get in good physical condition, develop incredible endurance, and control over your entire body. You will also feel an extremely strong sense of self-confidence not only in your technique and how to defend yourself, but self-confidence and calmness of mind in everyday life as well. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu will change your life.

The classes Monkey Bar Gym Madison offers are:

Last Updated on Friday, 29 July 2011 09:43

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