Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Maumee Ohio.
The original mixed martial arts is BJJ. This line of teaching (specifically through the Gracie family) emphasized practical self defense, technique over power, and the principle of leverage - to allow a person of smaller stature to be able to defeat a larger attacker.
We are NOT a SPORT Jiu Jitsu dojo. Instead we teach a mixed system that also incorporates upper body techniques and strikes into our system. Our goal is to create a balanced martial artist that can defend themselves from any distance.
Classes for Kids
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Classes for Adults
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“Here in the West when someone finds out you are practicing Martial Arts, they immediately ask you two questions. First they ask; what style you train in? Secondly they ask what color is your belt?
”But in the East it’s totally different; in Eastern societies, you are asked two very different questions. First people ask; how long have you practiced? Second – and most important of all – they ask: Who is your teacher?”
How to choose a style or school.
Since physically many styles are similar what should you look for when choosing a style? The truth is that if someone has been teaching for at least ten years they are probably good at what they do. My suggestion is not to pay attention to what a style is called. Instead focus on the things that are really important. Here is a short but valuable list:
The atmosphere should be bright, clean, friendly and professional.
The art should be real -very practical self defense skills - but there should be a focus on safety.
You should be in classes with people who are roughly your own age and share many of your same values.
The teaching should be dynamic and powerful; your classroom should be filled with energy and charisma.
You should be treated with respect, and the dojo should demand that students respect each other.
You should get a great workout in every class, you should see physical improvements in your body, and you should be gaining in skills.
If children are present the tone should be focused and courteous. The atmosphere during both children's classes and adult classes can be friendly and fun; but it should also be serious.
And finally...
There is still something more that you should be looking for. We believe that Martial Arts is not simply a physical activity. If that were not the case we could stop right here; our belief is that if you are going to practice Martial Arts; not Martial Fighting, not Martial Sport, not Martial fitness, but real Martial Arts you must also be learning to discipline your mind! The Martial Arts at their core were conceived as a way of helping student achieve higher levels of discipline of both their body and MIND. The intent was to use the art to create a person that that derived benefit in all areas of life; not just the one in a thousand chance of physical conflict! These benefits include better concentration, better discipline, better balance, and a more peaceful attitude toward others. In short, real Martial Arts should help you become a happier more effective human being; not just teach you how to fight.
If a person is learning real techniques, techniques that could maim or kill another human being, wouldn't it be irresponsible to just give those skills away without helping people develop the discipline that goes with using them? This is the reason I strongly say that there is no Martial Arts without mental discipline; and therefore if you're not being taught how to discipline your mind (while you may be learning how to fight) the fact is that you are not truly practicing Martial Arts - period!.
A good Martial Arts school always should have an internal approach to mental discipline. This approach of giving you a great workout, teaching practical self defense, and teaching you how to focus your mind.