Get your elbow to the mat and get on your side. 

Make space with whatever they control less: your hips or your shoulders. 

Yes. 

It’s beach weather again! I hope to see everyone back to nogi class. Coach John is back on the mats! We all need to brush up so we are prepared for his class!

This is my favorite bjj myth to combat. 

Why do you get to decide my therapy? Why can’t it be effective treatment for me?

I thought about trying bjj for 5 years.  I didn’t walk in til I lost my son. I can’t get out of my head. Except when I’m at open mat. 

When I’m here, I can be in the moment. I can accept reality. It grounds me. 

Beyond that, I can help kids in a way I can never help my son. They can be strong. They can overcome adversity. They can be better by being on the mat. 

I truly hope you never see the world from my shoes.  

Until the temps are above freezing, we will be switching “nogi fundamentals” to “SNOW Gi fundamentals.” Grab your parka and snow pants and learn to grapple with mittens!

Just kidding… 

Come warm up at nogi class! You might walk in shivering, but I promise you’ll be sweating before we are done. 

I hope everyone who showed up to ice skate had a fantastic time! We had nearly 50 people this year! After practicing break falls on the ice, the mats should be a pleasant change up this week!

This has come up a decent amount in our house. My daughter has trained year round for almost 5 years now. Despite scheduling regular time off after tournaments and taking off for special occasions, spontaneous extracurriculars, or occasionally recuperation, she still randomly doesn’t want to go to practice.

It’s the same conversation every time.

I’m initially devastated, but then she clarifies that she means like 2-4 weeks. I always say, “Ok, but you’re not going to see your friends.” She proclaims that’s unfair! I simply remind her, “Baby, all your friends will be at jiujitsu.” She realizes I’m right and changes her mind to 1 or 2 practices off. 

I thought people who would talk about “the jiujitsu lifestyle” were just nerds. But… It’s real. Even my wife has to live it. 

Tuesday nogi we will wrap up side control escapes and take some time to tie all the escapes together. Being comfortable to escape bottom side control will maximize your confidence in your jiujitsu! Thursday we will explore the kimura and simple ways to make it efficient and powerful! Sunday we are having open mat followed by an afternoon of ice skating - invite the family and make sure you work your break falls!!

If you’ve ever considered competing, I’d recommend checking out the Tap Cancer Out Tournaments. They will be back in October once again. It’s the best run tournament and you can help people in need. Last year we raised almost $20k!  

Who’s in?

https://wecan.tapcancerout.org/event/tap-cancer-out-2026-chicago-bjj-open/e751765