My Thought on Self Defense

I often ask students after they've been training for a few months what they want to get out of their training at El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The answers vary from person to person, but most of the time I hear these phrases in the mix.

1) Lose weight

2) Learn self defense

3) Become a world champion

I sometimes cringe when I hear the term "self-defense" because it's become thrown around as though it's something you can go and learn in a few hours. So when someone tells me they want to learn self-defense, I clarify that they really want to be able to defend themselves from someone bigger and stronger attacking them. Not just attacking them, but to possibly take their life. If the answer is yes, I recommend they train as though they are going to get ready for a tournament. To roll as hard as they can. I truly believe that the best form of training for self defense is some form of grappling. In my opinion Jiu-Jitus has found a way to mix the idea and concepts of self-defense with the competitive sport, allowing for the best form of self defense training. 

Yes, there are situations you would not want to voluntarily go to in a self defense situation, but jiujitsu teaches that. There are illegal moves that jiujitsu doesn't do, but again a good teacher teaches that as  a form of self defense. I have yet to find a style of training where both partners can go as hard as they possibly can without the worry of hurting each other day after day after day. 

A follow up question I always ask when someone tells me they want to learn self defense are these:

1) Do you take any medication or prescription drugs?

2) Do you eat well balanced, well proportioned meals?

3) Do you reduce, reuse, recycle in that order?

These are a few questions the I feel are necessary to ask because self defense is much more than just the physical. The physical aspects of self-defense, you could argue are much less prevalent than the dietary, medical, or environmental forms of self defense we should be practicing on a daily basis.

The real attackers and killers are the ones that kill the most amount of people each day. Heart disease, diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, pollution, toxicity, etc. We need to take a more practical look at what we are "training" to protect ourselves from, and realize if the training we are doing is truly going to defeat a bigger, stronger person. 

Eliot Kelly

916.595.4064

Martial Arts Schedule for Fall at El Dorado Hills Jiu-Jitsu

Click to Enlarge JiuJitsu Schedule

Here is a description of the classes we will be offering for the fall at El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. If you have any questions about the classes please let us know. Our phone number is 916.505.4064 our email address is edhbjj@gmail.com

Fundamental Jiu-Jitsu: 
     The fundamental Jiujitsu class high lighted in green is a martial arts class for teens and adults. Our fundamental jiujitsu class will include a warm up to increase flexibility, strength, and drill movements associated with the development of jiujitsu. The technical instruction is based on fundamental positions seen in competitions.

Open Roll: 
     Open roll is an opportunity to train without the constraints of an instructor. Students are encouraged to drill, stretch, and roll during these times. It is a student-led training session. As a beginner this might be a very difficult class to take part in. Ask a colored belt what you should be doing, they will direct you and might even give you a free lesson on different positions. 

Kids Jiu-jitsu: 

     Kids jiujitsu is for ages 5-11. In this class fundamental curriculum is taught for different skill levels. Yellow belts in the class are assistant coaches to the coaches and help the younger, less experienced students learn. The yellow belts help by being leaders in the class, by working one on one with the students and assisting the coach whenever necessary. Kids with more than 6 months of experience are welcome to join the advanced class every Friday. You must have the instructors approval before enrolling in this class. 

Self Defense & Jiu-Jitsu for Women:

     Jiu-Jitsu for women is a class that takes place only once a week, therefore it is very important that you are present in this class if this is the only class you are enrolled in. The class incorporates positions of awareness for self-defense as a part of the warm up. All levels and interests are welcome to take part in this ladies only class. Although women are not limited in joining the other classes, this is a special time for them to train only with other women. 

Wrestling Match Hour: 

     Match hour is a unique opportunity for local wrestlers with some wrestling experience to wrestle with wrestlers who used to wrestle in college. All wrestlers, coaches, and wrestling enthusiasts are welcome to join this once a week class to wrestle, drill, and have fun on the mat. 

Community Jiu-Jitsu: 

     The community jiujitsu class is a free class for members of the el dorado hills, folsom, cameron park, rancho cordova, shingle springs, and in general the greater Sacramento area. This free class is for those going through financial hardships, single parents, poor college students, who just can't afford to do jiujtsu. We will be collecting donations for those who would like to make donations and use the money collected from the class to give to a local charity, help a student travel to a tournament, or make improvements to the facility. This is a class for ages 10 and up. 

Family Fun Jiu-Jitsu: 

     Family jiujitsu class is for parents to share time on the mat with their sons or daughters no matter how old or young. The experimental class will give people an opportunity to "hang out" while "working out" on the mat. All members are encouraged to bring their little ones on the mat and simply have fun! 

EDH JiuJitsu 

916.595.4064