My First Experience To Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

In the Academy, many family heirlooms and records
are showcased....i just couldn't help myself there.

Come on in! Today I'll show you my first experience to Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and how I got to learn from the masters of the US in GJJ; My tour of the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Torrance, California from my Sophomore year summer vacation.

Immediate bloodline of the Gracie Family
 in display at the Torrance museum.

My exposure to the art began much before this, something I'll explain in another blog post through my training in Kajukenbo, but as a summer trip, my brother decided to surprise me and take me to the US headquarters of the GJJ Academy in Torrance, a mere 40 minute drive from West Covina. There we were astounded. As we we walked in, we felt like we were in the house of Gods, Jiu-Jitsu Gods. We tour the family museum, which held archives of the art's roots, relics like the first UFC championship trophy, which was won by the Grandmaster's son, Royce Gracie and much much more. The family timeline, which was too grand to fit in the proper honor it should is confined to a tiny frame. In fact here it is to the right. Then after having our historic minds boggled, as we leave we get confronted by two men, older men that looked like Jiu-Jitsu fanatics, little did we know that these two men were 3rd generation GJJ masters, Ryron and Ralek Gracie. In disarry, we were taken aback even more when an invitation to get lessons from them followed after quick small talk about where we train and our martial art background. We then followed in amazement, we were about to get a one hour lesson from masters, all in a day we only expected to take a couple of pictures and buy some souvenirs in...The lesson began, every moment a blur for us as we were amazed at this opportunity and when the lesson was over the memory was even more a blur... Afterwards both the brothers and us stood in the lobby, talking, enjoying our presence with them and asking them questions that our instructor at home couldn't answer with such a perspective. It was a good day, and a day I will never forget.

My brother, Ryron Gracie, and 10th grade me

My brother, Ralek Gracie and 10th grade me

Now the reason for this blog post wasn't to reminisce on a past adventure but grow from it. From that trip, I have advanced to a 3rd stripe white belt only one stripe away to become a Blue belt and be able to learn through the Master Cycle, and advanced GJJ training program. I have learned through experience and continue, everyday I train, roll with my peers and try and learn from every sparring session. I know that I can't achieve perfection in a year, but through the research I am doing, my understanding of Grandmaster Helio's theories, and my continual growth of Jiu-Jitsu through my Senior Project, I will be, in all, a better fighter than with any year I could've dedicated without this project. I was to go to the Torrance Academy again with peers from my Center in La Puente but I unfortunately wasn't able to go thus I shared with you my story of when I last went.

One last thing I will say...When my brother and i left the Academy that day, the Gracie brothers gave us both car stickers bearing the GJJ insignia, a symbol of brotherhood and family in our system. This week we put it on our family car and it looks great but besides that fact, I will leave you with a video posted from the Gracie Academy featuring Rener Gracie, the brother of the other brothers we met, showing how to place this decal on the window of your car. We used this to properly place ours, but, this isn't just a tutorial on placing a window sticker. Instead i show this to you because i found this comical, if you analyze the video you'll find a lot of what I say on my project to reflect his mindset, it's all the Gracie way and overall this video is one I find to give of Jiu-Jitsu humor. Again, if you don't get the humor...Do some Jiu-Jitsu you'll get it then. Enjoy.

Blog 6: Second Interview Questions

1.  Who is your mentor and where do they work?
-My mentor's name is Jorge Balares, He is actually a Chiropractor and has had much background in the works of Kinesiology. He is a private Chiropractor but as a side job, or what he likes to refer to it as a "hobby with benefits," he owns his own Gracie Certified Training Center in La Puente where there, he teaches what he knows to his students below him.

2.  What five questions will ask them about their background?
1)-In your childhood or young adulthood, whether it involves you or someone else, what physical altercation has made a direct impact on your life?

2)-What martial arts do you have as background?
2a)-How many years?
2b)-Why those arts?

3)Who are your mentors? And what do you see in them to follow in their footsteps?

4)What is your goal from being an instructor? Of all activities on your spare time, why teach GJJ?

5)What about Jiu-Jitsu has captivated you to dedicate so many years to the practice and also be an instructor of the art?

Blog 5: Project Reflection and Working EQ

The Pentagon: 
(1) Positive Statement: What positive thing happen as a result of what you have completed so far?
-In reflection of my mentorship, my progress has been great. Personally, i have excelled to the highest point  have been with in Jiu-Jitsu technique and performance as i can roll with blue belts and hold my own. My instructor constantly uses me as an example and has even sneaked me into the advanced class which is only restricted to blue belt or higher ranks, considering i am a 2 stripe white belt, i say that's progress. I am  on track with my goal which is to be promoted to a blue belt by December as i am consistent with classes and always try to learn from everyone and through trial and error. Overall, my progress is consistent, every week i learn something new and as i apply those teachings i get better in training.

(2) EQ Content:  Pick a piece of research or your interview.  How has it helped you improve your understanding of your topic?

-The piece of research i am evaluating is my first book source, "Mastering Ju-Jitsu,"overall it underlined the main points and theory of modern Jiu-Jitsu emphasizing past influences and modern innovations that have made the art more effective in modern day fights and mma sportive tournaments. In specifics, i have used 4 15-20 page chapters that just expand on primary sources and accounts of grand masters and other great fighters that witnessed and firsthandedly change modern Jiu-Jitsu. I have been able to use these reads and apply the raw theory and/or techniques to my training and generally it only helps me more by understanding what actually makes Jiu-Jitsu such an effective martial art.

(3) What has worked for you so far in the senior project?

-So far, in my sortie of the senior project, all has been good for me. Many of my friends all complain about research checks or an unreliable mentor but honestly for me, i am stable. There are limitless ways to research my topic, as i can view Jiu-Jitsu from a medical standpoint on injuries, Scientific way through physics of a sport, or just through the entire sport of martial art fighting. I learned that the worst thing that can happen in an interview is "no" so i am not held back to email and schedule interviews with Gracie family black belts or even mma fighters as i am already trying to do so.  In regards to mentorship, mine is stable. My mentor is an instructor of Jiu-Jitsu and has class everyday so for that reason, applying my knowledge and being able to have my mentor available to me everyday is a huge advantage to me. Overall, my senior project seems to be on par and i aim to only make it better.

(4) What hasn't worked so far? 

-Not much has gone against me in my senior project, my interview is ready for Monday and research has been easy to find for me. The only thing that has been somewhat cumbersome is just keeping up with my blog. I want to make it better as that is the only direct way to display my senior project and that is my only way to the AE.

5) Finding Value:  

•  What is a potential question you would like to study this year?  (working EQ)
•  What do you plan to do for mentorship?  If you haven't found a mentor yet, then discuss where you are currently looking and who you are talking to to find it.

-My question for me has been pretty solid for my studies. I believe it was somewhere along the lines of, "What is the most effective way to use GJJ to get out of a street fight?" However the only worry is that it is too complicated, so to simplify it i am changing it to, "What components of GJJ are most effective in a street fight?"

-Currently for mentorship i am just studying daily at my instructors Gracie Academy. In it i practice my personal skills and learn new techniques of GJJ.