In the 1900s, a world famous judoka, Mitsuyo Maeda traveled to Brazil and began instructing Japanese Jiu-Jitsu as well as Judo which at the time were not considered separate disciplines. Three of Maeda’s first students Carlos and Helio Gracie along with Luiz Franca would become the founders of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. By maximizing the effectiveness of existing techniques and creating new ones, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu became a very effective martial art for the smaller/weaker person to defeat a much larger/stronger opponent.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (also known as “the gentle art”) is primarily a grappling martial art comprised of various throws, chokes and joint locks.

The benefits of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu span far beyond a highly effective martial art in real world scenarios. The physical benefits are immense do to a combination of dynamic movements with pressure-based isometric pushing, pulling, and holding that helps increase strength as well as cardio. Because you’re constantly responding to another person’s movement, Jiu-Jitsu heightens your body awareness and improves your balance.

For many, it provides an outlet for the stresses of daily life. Once you step on the mat, everything else is set to the side giving your mind a break and the exercise your body needs.

Classes are instructed daily by Ed Powers, Melissa Powers, “Big” Mike Birt, Skyler Pankratz, Nate Vazquez and Anthony “Tex” Licon.

Adult Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Classes