White belt is a time in your jiu-jitsu life that consists of incredible excitement and wonder. Each class brings with it the awe of a new technique or the solution to a frustrating problem. The mind of a white belt…

This is a very common question that Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners ask of me. Very few people can train all day every day; mostly in part because responsibilities of work and family usually start to monopolize our time for leisure activities…

Recently we have been working with groups of students at the University of Scranton teaching then jiu-jitsu for self defense. Call me partial but I firmly believe that Gracie jiu-jitsu is the most effective and complete form of self defense.…

‘Have patience with all things, but, first of all yourself.’ Those are the words of Saint Francis de Sales, whom surely wasn’t a jiu-jitsu practitioner but clearly understood the importance of patience. Patience is among the key attributes anyone needs…

Recently I wrote a blog in which I stated, ‘it is your job to get the answers you need.” The statement is obviously meant to encourage you as a student of jiu-jitsu to ask questions. I remember in the earliest…

Training Gracie Jiu-jitsu is good for your body, mind, and soul. The striking and grappling aspects of Brazilian jiu-jitsu offer huge benefits of keeping you in shape physically and balancing out stress from everyday life. Recently I read an article…

When you first start Brazilian jiu-jitsu it is quite common to feel as if you have been hit by a bus! The warm-ups are hard, techniques can seem complicated, during sparring you can’t breathe, you are getting crushed into the…