I have been training off and on in Muay Thai and San Shou for a total of 5 years. I have learned a lot from the training but have been pretty bored lately and have wanted to learn something new. I have always been interested in Jiu-Jitsu like most people watching MMA, all the way since UFC 1 and watching Royce Gracie. I have always been putting off training in Jiu-Jitsu for some reason though.
After reading the thread Revo posted, The Pleasures of Drowning, either a light bulb went off in my head, or I got a spark of interest and told myself I need to learn Jiu-Jitsu.
I started looking around the Bay Area at different Jiu-Jitsu gyms and asked a few of my friends about where they train. I tried out a couple gyms, which were VERY expensive. But then a co-worker of my GF's gave me information about the Institute of Martial Arts in San Jose. The IMA was created by Caio Terra, a black belt under Reyson Gracie and Paulo Mauricio Strauch.
I went there for my first class and walked in. Caio Terra was at the counter and welcomed me to his gym. The Fundamentals class got started and I was welcomed by Flavio Meier, a black belt under Ricardo Liborio at American Top Team, and Augusto Quexinho, a black belt under Augusto Mendes Tanquinho. I had only trained twice at other Jiu Jitsu gyms, so the instructors helped me a little more with rolling and shimping and such. Then the instructions began for how to complete a Kimura and/or an arm bar. The instructions were concise and they made sure every one understood what was happening before we got to practice the moves. The students I rolled with were very helpful and were giving me pointers during the excercises, even on my first day. After a few instructions and practices, then we got to "roll" with the other students. I was continuously tapped/ and or put into half guard, mount etc. So I had to keep getting up and going to the back of the line. But I went in with no ego and a positive attitude. At the end of the class, the instructors both came up to me to asked if I was okay and how I liked the class. I told them I loved it. On my way out, Caio Terra stopped me to ask me if I enjoyed the class. I said yes and planned on coming back the next day.
I went back yesterday and signed up for 6 months. I also ordered a gi online. I am really excited about learning something new. And I feel very lucky to have this gym only 3 miles from my house with all of these world class instructors.
Also, in only my second class at this gym last night, I was able to pull off 3 submissions. Two Americana's, and one rear naked choke. And the rear naked choke I have never learned. I just emulated what I had seen in MMA (LOL!). But I got the tap.
So to my brothers at Ninjashoes. Thanks for all Jiu Jitsu related posts and keep them up. I will keep updating this thread as I progress.
Ninjabros awards 2010
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Originally Posted by aussjj
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