Pulling techniques from folk, freestyle, Greco-Roman, & catch wrestling, Judo, Sambo, Shooto, and, of course, BJJ, Submission Wrestling begins with a solid foundation of throws & takedowns as in traditional wrestling arts.

However, the ultimate goal is to not only control an opponent, but to get them to submit to a choke, crank, armlock, or leglock.

Capoeira combines elements of martial arts, music, and dance. It was created in Brazil by slaves brought from Africa sometime after the sixteenth century.

Participants form a roda, or circle, and take turns either playing musical instruments (such as the Berimbau), singing, or “playing” (sparring) with handstands, rolls, feints, trips, takedowns, and lots of leg sweeps and kicks!

Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of a wide variety of striking and grappling techniques, both while standing and on the ground.

Spreading from the vale tudo (no holds barred) fights of Brazil to Japan and then around the world, MMA is one of the fastest growing sports in North America, thanks to the popularity of The Ultimate Fighter on Spike TV.

MMA classes include calisthenic warmups, shadow boxing, heavy bag striking drills (both hanging and laying on the ground), striking drills to kick pads and punch mitts, standup wrestling, clinch & wall work, open hand light-contact sparring, boxing & kickboxing, submissions, striking drills on the ground, and full range sparring.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a martial art that focuses on ground fighting techniques to enable one to attain a dominant position for the purposes of submission. With its roots in Judo and Japanese Jujutsu, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was developed to arm a smaller, weaker person with various techniques to defend against a larger, stronger opponent. Thus, in training, the emphasis is on technique over strength.

A typical BJJ class typically consists of three parts:

1. A calisthenic warmup to gain fitness & prevent injury

2. Drilling of techniques with a cooperative partner

3. Finally, “live” training or sparring at full speed

Common goals of new BJJ students include:

Health & Fitness
Self Defense
Competition (Sport BJJ, Submission Wrestling, Mixed Martial Arts)
Having fun!