2012 Recap

This one was harder for me to write than the recaps for our first two years.  This is not because 2012 was a bad year.  It was our best so far.   The reason, I think, is that I’m so focused on looking ahead.  In my mind are all the plans for Renzo Gracie Pittsburgh Academy’s new space in The Strip.  Along with the building we have new instructors and new programs being initiated.  It has been three years since we opened the first class during the 2010 snowstorm.  Although going forward is our focus let’s take a couple of minutes to look at what we have built focusing on last year.  2012 should give us confidence that we have a strong foundation that will keep getting better this year.  

One of the things that really stand out in my memory and shows in my jiu-jitsu game is that Daniel Gracie visited us and stayed with us several times in 2012.    He shared his years of knowledge and competitive experience for two weeks teaching classes in March.  He visited two more times and did three special seminars for us.  The nogi guard-passing seminar was amazing for the advanced guys.  We learned twelve battle-tested techniques and some strategies for making them work.   Marcio "Macarrao" Stambowsky, the highest belt-ranking instructor teaching in the Northeast, did a great seminar for us as well.  He focused on wristlocks as a strategy to stop guard passing and attack. He also showed us a great “Gymnastica Natural” based warm-up.  He showed us some self defense based techniques as well.  Right at the end of 2012, Garry Tonon (voted one of the worlds best brown belts at any weight) did a seminar for us.  Garry showed us new cutting edge techniques all to benefit the Red Cross’s Charity for Hurricane Sandy relief.  I also did a charity seminar this year in San Jose, Costa Rica benefiting disadvantaged children in the country that gave me so much in the way of great jiu-jitsu training. 

Some of our competitive highlights include, in chronological order:

• Lance Thompson 2^nd place purple belt adult in IBJJF NY Open.  This is a great tournament finish! Purple belt is so tough.  No one from other schools in the area can claim a finish in purple belt at such a top-level event.
• Mike Wilkins got his second pro MMA win this summer.
• Jonas Rubiano and Dino Juklo both got there first amateur MMA wins.
• Mike Flor won his divisions at the Kumite Klassic
• RJ Sache and Bob Demmler got blue belt wins at Steel City's martial arts tournament
• Dean Lewis won IBJJF Pan Nogi!  This is a top tier tournament.  Dean showed that he is the best blue belt around.  Look for him in some tournaments coming soon.  Mike Flor also won his weight at the Pans in the masters division.
• Logan Stout won the absolute at Pitt's grappling tournament.

That’s a nice list!  For those of you who enjoy competing, let’s get out and compete more this year.  No one remembers the ones you lose.  They only teach you how to be better.  The more we compete, the more we learn.  We have a great team to support us including the other teachers in the Renzo Gracie Association in NYC, Brazil and other places.  We have great training partners to keep us getting better. 

We also had many promotions to blue belt this year as well as two youth members earning their orange belts.  Check out our academy facebook page to see photos of all of our belt promotions.

We had some fun social events.  Everyone who stayed until the end of the summer barbecue remember Douggie P’s antics.  Anthony, thank you for hosting us, and the keg, after the barbecue to watch the Strikeforce fights where Roger Gracie dominated Jardine. Bowling night was fun also.  We established that I’m the worst bowler of the academy.  The end of the year party was really fun.  We had over 50 people there this year, up from about 30 in 2011.  The location was more fun also.  We had lots of other informal get-togethers to watch fights and jiu-jitsu tournaments.  It is so important that we enjoy doing things as a group outside of the Academy.  As people get more and more fragmented, isolated and specialized it becomes more important to have something universal to share.  Jiu-jitsu is that thing for many of our members and for me.  Our membership almost doubled from the year before. 

 Let’s get ready for even more growth and good things this year.

-Warren

New to Jiu-Jitsu? What to expect Q & A:

Q: What should I do if I would like to try a Jiu-Jitsu class, a fitness class, or a private class?

A: Fill out the simple contact form under the contact tab on our webpage. Someone will get in touch with you soon. Alternatively, just stop by the school 10 minutes or so before a class and speak with an instructor. See our schedule page on the website http://www.renzograciepittsburgh.com/for class times.

Q: What should I do once I arrive?

A: Introduce yourself to the instructor, fill out the participation waiver completely, tell the instructor a little about yourself and your background in athletics and fitness if any, and ask questions.

Q: Who can do Jiu-Jitsu?

A: Anyone who is healthy enough for exercise can participate. In your class you will find people from ages 14-50+. Most fundamentals classes include beginners as well as a few more experienced participants who often help new students with the techniques. Both men and women participate in our classes. Our women students can elect to train with other women or with anyone in the classes.

Q: What is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

A: It is a grappling-based martial art that teaches how to control a resisting adversary through the use of leverage, timing and creating situations that utilize strength imbalances. As a sport and activity it is one of the fastest growing worldwide. Mixed martial arts (MMA), of which BJJ is a integral part, is the fastest growing sport in the world in terms of revenues and viewership.

Q: Will I get hurt in class?

A: Our Fundamentals Jiu Jitsu program is designed though years of experience to minimize the chances of injuries. Instructors monitor students training constantly and also ensure that the environment is safe. For example very large and athletic people are paired with people of similar stature. There are no strikes in the fundamentals program. As with any contact sport there is some risk.

Q: Do you have women in your school?

A: Yes. We have several women members.

Q: What does it cost?

A: We offer beginners a free introduction lesson. After the introduction lesson you can stay and watch a class. If you can't make a class just come by and watch. Meet the intructor and talk to other members. If you would like to try some classes in a more hands on way before joining us they we offer a 5 day unlimited pass for just $20 for new prospective members. If you would like to stay with us after that ask an instructor to go over payments options with you. Our prices start at $89-140 month for adult classes and start at $65 for youth.  Those with at least 6 months of Brazilian Jiu jitsu, or extensive grappling, judo, or wrestling get 5 days unlimited training free. Visitors from other academies are free.

Q: Do I have to be an athlete to do your classes?

A: No! Most people are fit enough to start our classes. You can go at your own pace.

Q: What is a typical class structure?

A: 10-minute warm-up, which is designed to create heat in the muscles and develop basic movement skills from Jiu-Jitsu. 40 minute of instructions and drilling techniques. 10 minute of live positional training.

Q: Do you have showers?

A: Yes, we have two showers.

Q: I’m new in the area, is your school a good place to meet new friends?

A: One of the best things about Jiu-Jitsu is that it brings people together. We cultivate a friendly atmosphere in class and often have events which can include an informal get-together at a bar to watch the UFC, a group trip to New York City main Renzo School, an academy party, or going to an MMA event to watch your friends compete.

Q: What is a “gi”?

A: A “gi” is the training uniform used by Judo and traditional Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Unlike some martial arts that use uniforms for dress only, our gis are very functional. They are a training tool that teaches skills. Grips and holds use the gi so it is much heavier and stronger than uniforms used in Karate for example. In addition to being a teaching tool the gi is also important for building self-defense skills since in Pittsburgh we often wear jackets when we are out on the street. We also have classes which are no-gi . Ask an instructor how you can get a gi.

Q: Should I train with the gi or without (no-gi Jiu-Jitsu)

A: You should do both no matter what your goals are. The gi teaches posture, help make your defensive skills crisp and builds certain types of physical strengths. These are just some of the benefits. Training without a gi builds speed and sharpens certain offensive skills to name a few benefits. It is a lot of fun to learn different holds and movements for each discipline as well as seeing where techniques intersect or need to be modified. There are competitions both with and without the gi. Most of the top competitors are champions in both. Most good MMA fighters train both gi and no-gi at different times.

Q: How do I get a gi?

A: Ask an instructor at Renzo Gracie Pittsburgh when you arrive and they will help you. We sell top quality gis at good prices.

Q: Do the classes teach you how to fight like fighters in the UFC and other MMA events?

A: UFC fighters and most professional MMA fighters spent years training and are full time fighters. Many are also exceptional athletes. Most of the best ones train or started training in a school like Renzo Gracie Pittsburgh. You will immediately be more of an educated fan of MMA by participating our classes. After more time you will learn to use many of the most important skill that top MMA fighters use.

Q: What should I do if I want to compete in mixed martial arts or sport Jiu-Jitsu?

A: Join our school and participate in our classes! UFC champions Frank Edgar and George St. Pierre are often seen in public classes at Renzo’s in NYC. You should be prepared to dedicate lots of time and work. It is not an overnight process but months and years of training. Anyone who wants to compete can do so at some level if they can dedicate the time and effort. Many of our members do not compete. Some of the most respected Jiu-Jitsu practitioners have never competed.

Q: Will I get in shape and lose weight by doing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

A: Without a doubt, yes. We have had many members loose over 20lbs in a couple of months and change their body composition to one with less fat and more muscle. There is no other activity that, in one hour, does as thorough a job of mixing resistance training, endurance/cardio, balance, coordination and flexibility as BJJ or grappling arts. Other benefits are breath control, hand and core strengthening and mind/body connection. Almost all muscles are worked. Metabolism is raised so calories are burned not just in class but also throughout the rest of your week. Our conditioning classes offer an extra boost to get you in shape even faster since we feel physical fitness is so important.

www.renzograciepittsburgh.com