Welcome to Easton Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and thank you for choosing us for your training. The following is a partial list of things you can expect and that you will experience on your journey to Black Belt and beyond!
Getting Started
The best way to get started is get right on the mat in the Fundamentals class. When you attend these classes keep in mind that it is not about winning and losing. Your journey to a Black Belt is a long one; it is a process, so enjoy the journey, without focusing on the destination. For your first few classes we encourage you to take it easy and focus on the specific techniques and positions. A perfect practice is born from perfect technique; once you get this down then your other physical attributes will come into play and strengthen your practice. Trying too hard is not going to yield great results and can actually hamper your learning. What the instructors at EBJJ recommend is that you start learning technique with excellent form, then add a lot of repetition to develop what we call muscle memory. What this means is that your body gets so accustomed to doing it that you no longer have to think to perform the action (much like walking, running or driving a car). Once you have solid muscle memory you will start to learn to feel the right time to perform the technique and it will become effortless and will work on any size opponent. After all, one of the most beautiful aspects of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu lies in its’ efficiency; that is, a much smaller opponent can overcome a much larger opponent using technique, not strength.
What Will I Need?
Another beautiful aspect of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is that you need very little aside from time and energy. A solid Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Kimono and a mouth guard are the necessities. We also recommend you have a head gear (Asics Gel) and some wrestling shoes in your kit so if you ever need them you are ready. Cheap wrestling shoes are fine as you will rarely need them, but they are good to have if you scrape your feet and need to give them time to heal while you train.
How Much Will it Cost?
Easton Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu offers first time residents a free week to try out our Dojo and experience for yourself the power and benefits of Jiu-Jitsu. Following the free trial week, membership starts at $99 per month. For complete and current lists of pricing please stop by or call.
How Long Until I Start to See Progress in My Training?
Within six months you will reach a level of skill that if you could go back in time and train with yourself you would be completely controlled by the “new self”.
You will notice progress in your first few classes in that you will start to perform the basic movements such as standing up in base and hipping out more efficiently and without thinking. Completing eight to ten classes should be sufficient time for you to earn your first stripe and you should be nearly proficient with the warm up.
With your second stripe (2-3 months) we are looking to see that you have good self-control and are safe in working with your partners. This is a crucial stage in that when awarded a second stripe you will be eligible for the intermediate program that includes kimono, no kimono classes and Randori (open training where you will practice techniques in a more live manner). One of the most important pieces at this level is that you take care of your partner. At EBJJ we enforce the relationship between our students so that partners are not only physically safe in but moreover, they are mentally built up instead of beaten up thus creating stronger partners and a stronger school.
FAQ'S About Easton BJJ
Easton Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is designed so everyone can participate. Start your training today and begin your journey into the most effective martial arts in a fun and safe manner. Training will get you in the best shape of your life and you will not only learn, but you will have a blast while you do it.
What is Brazilian Jiu-jitsu?
Jiu-Jitsu began with Mitsuyo Maeda, a Japanese Jiu-Jitsu master and member of the Kodokan. Maeda immigrated to Brazil in the 1910s where an influential businessman named Gastão Gracie helped him get established. In return for his aid, Maeda taught the fighting art to Gastão's son Carlos Gracie, who then taught the art to his brothers including Helio Gracie, and sons. When Maeda taught the art to the Gracies he called it Jiu-jitsu. The Gracie family refined this art form into what is now known as Gracie Jiu-Jitsu or Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.
What makes BJJ different from other martial arts?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu differs from other martial arts in that it provides solutions for all possible stages of combat. Other disciplines like Tae Kwon Do or Karate focus on striking and rely on a person's strength and speed to deliver damage, but speed and strength doesn't matter when you're on your back. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu differs from other martial arts fundamentally. While other martial arts rely heavily on strength and speed, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu relies on superior technique and leverage.
What's a Gi?
A Gi (sometimes referred to as Kimono) is the uniform that is typically worn when training Jiu-Jitsu. It consists of 3 pieces: a jacket (or top), pants, and a belt. The material in which the three pieces are made is specially reinforced to withstand the rigors of daily practice. Many Jiu-Jitsu players regard their Gi in the same way a knight would their armor. Most practitioners of Jiu-Jitsu who advocate the usage of the Gi cite the more technical aspect of grappling with a Gi.
What are the Belt Rankings in Jiu-Jitsu?
As with other martial arts, the progress of a student is marked with a series of colored belts. Unlike other martial arts where Black Belt marks a person’s proficiency in a style, in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu the rank of Black Belt is conferred to individuals who have mastered the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
The belts in order are: White, Blue, Purple, Brown and Black. Often schools award four stripes for White through Brown belts. Black Belts are typically awarded one stripe every three years up to ten stripes. There are special classifications for Black Belt fighters and instructors. Instructors have Black Belts with Red bands and Black Belt fighters have White Bands. Typically, Black Belt instructors are not allowed to promote others up to Black Belt rank until they receive their first stripe. The ranks for children are different. Blue belt and higher ranks have age requirements so children’s belts are different.
How long until I get my Black Belt?
Typically, it takes anywhere from 6 to 15 years to attain the rank of Black Belt in Jiu-Jitsu. Each belt (with the exception of Blue) takes about 2-5 years of dedicated practice; Blue Belt can often be attained in about a year of dedicated study.
Is Jiu-Jitsu safe?
At Easton Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu safety is paramount. However, accidents may happen due to lack of seriousness during training and the resultant careless application of technique or counters contribute greatly to injury. Careless practice is disrespectful to the spirit of Jiu-Jitsu.
At Easton Brazilian Jiu-JItsu safety is paramount. Accidents may happen, however, lack of seriousness during training and the resultant careless application of technique or counters contribute greatly to injury. Careless practice is disrespectful to the spirit of Jiu-Jitsu.
Who can learn Jiu-Jitsu?
Practically anyone can utilize the techniques created by Carlos and Helio Gracie. The core principle of Gracie Jiu-jitsu is to provide a method for smaller, weaker individuals to protect themselves from bigger, stronger attackers.
Is BJJ good exercise?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can provide you with far more extensive results than typical aerobic exercise. The resistance encountered while rolling provides you with a good base to improve your core strength through intense abdominal workout, increase your muscle tone, and reduce you body fat while improving your balance, bodily coordination, cardio vascular capacity, and muscular endurance.
What do I wear my first time (Intro Class) to class?
The best thing to wear to a first class is a shirt and shorts or sweat pants. A mouthpiece is also highly recommended and although it's not required it is recommended that guys wear an athletic support.
What's a typical class like?
At EBJJ, we begin class with some light calisthenics. Following our warm-up we then move onto drilling techniques. These drills, when done over and over, help form muscle memory and help our students retain technique. After our drilling is completed we then begin to spar (or roll). Rolling is when students are able to put their techniques to the test with training partners who can resist and counter just as they would in an actual fight, providing valuable real-world experience should the techniques ever need to be applied in an actual fight.