Martial Arts in El Dorado Hills, CA. Judo, Wrestling Jiujitsu

     Martial Arts in El Dorado Hills keeps getting better and better. EDH Grappling, home of EDH BJJ, The Wrestling Dojo, and Judo with Garrett Sensei is taking grappling to another level in northern California. This “school of grappling” has brought together some of the best grapplers in the area to share their experiences and knowledge on and off the mat.

     The Brazilian Jiujitsu program is led by black belts Eliot Kelly and Todd Jones. Cumulatively, they have amassed close to 45 years of grappling experience. Interestingly, they both started learning Brazilian Jiujitsu for the same reason; they wanted an active hobby that stimulated the mind and body. Their experiences have shaped a curriculum well balanced in Self-Defense, Sport Competition, and Fitness.

     The Judo program is led by black belt Garrett Aldrich. Garrett began his grappling career in folkstyle wrestling, but soon found a passion for the Olympic style Wrestling, Greco-Roman. As a cadet and junior he traveled on the national team, and moved on to wrestle in junior college. After overcoming some injuries and transferring to UC Davis he found a new passion in Judo. At the time, he was looking for a fun and active hobby that would get him back in shape. He quickly realized the training was doing more than getting him in shape. The philosophy and culture associated with the Martial Art allowed him to develop not only his body but his mind as well.

     The Wrestling program is led by former division one coaches Beau Weiner and Eliot Kelly. Although wrestling has become more of a sport than a martial art, the two coaches have applied their martial art experiences to provide a systematic approach to learning technique. In addition to technical instruction, the wrestling curriculum has incorporated elements of self-defense, fitness, and a philosophy that promotes honor on and off the mat.

     If you would like more information on our program at EDH Grappling visit:

EDH Grappling

(916) 595 4064

Martial Arts in El Dorado Hills

Fight Fit: A New Martial Arts Training Class

     There is a new class in El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiujitsu, Judo, Wrestling. This class is unlike any of the classes we have had at EDH BJJ. The class is open to all levels of Martial Artists or those looking to get in shape before they step on the mat with a partner. The class will include dynamic body movements, that support a strong core, and balance. The new class called FIGHT FIT, is intended to do just that. Support your Martial Arts training in becoming a stronger, more fit fighter. 

     The class was developed out of the need to support those who were looking to make competition a central part of their lifestyle in jiujitsu, judo, or wrestling. In addition, to being a Martial Artist and training the technique, mentality, timing, and awareness, we found that there was a need to supplement and complement our training at a fighter and as an athlete. FIGHT FIT is meant to fuse the idea of being a Martial Artist and being an Athlete into one. However, this complementary training is not exclusive to the competitors. The FIGHT FIT class is open to those looking to elevate their general fitness through a series of dynamic training sessions and exercises. Many of the classes will utilize body weight exercises, focusing on developing a strong core, powerful hips, and stable balance. 

     In addition to bodyweight exercises, FIGHT FIT will also incorporate kettle bells, dumbbells, barbells, battle ropes, and other free standing weights that will allow for free mobility of several joints at a time. The class is offered three days a week on Monday and Wednesday from 9:00-9:30pm. and on Friday from 8:00-8:30pm. Contact us if you would like to schedule a free introductory lesson, that will complement your Martial Arts training and elevate your game as an athlete.

FIGHT FIT 

(916) 595 4064

Support your Martial Arts with FIGHT FIT

7 - 8 AM Jiujitsu Monday through Friday

     Today, 7AM  - 8 AM jiujitsu class started at El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiujitsu. This fundamental jiujitsu class will focus on the basics for all jiujitsu learners to set a strong foundation on the mat and in martial arts.

     “I love starting my day like this,” Steve said with a smile on his face. Steve is a blue belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu and has been training in El Dorado Hills since 2010. “It’s refreshing, and feels good to just get it out of the way.” Steve is a sales representative for Farm Fresh to You and heads off to work following the class warm down.

      The doors open at 6:45a.m, and the morning class starts exactly at 7a.m. Class begins with a strong warm up that flows right into technical instruction and drilling. Following some drilling time and corrections by the instructor, students will be led through a series of situational matches related to the position of instruction. This will include “rolling” which is includes all different positions and situations. Although rolling resembles sparring, it is different in that it is a time to train yourself as well as your partner. Students are encouraged to challenge themselves while being attentive and alert to the needs of one another. Following the rolling session is a short warm down to help recover the body, lower the heart rate, and be ready for a great day of work!

     Although everyone is encouraged to train the full hour, we understand that not everyone lives under the same schedule. Please let the instructor know if you need to leave a few minutes before the end of the class. Our philosophy is that it’s better to be on the mat for some of the time than to completely skip training some of the time.

El Dorado Hills BJJ

(916) 595 4064

7a.m. class Monday through Friday

First Wrestling Camp of 2013 in El Dorado Hills, CA: Wrestling Dojo

Wrestling Dojo News: We just finished the first round of wrestling camps at EDH Grappling, home of EDH Brazilian Jiujitsu, Wrestling Dojo, and Judo. The camp was held on January 2/3/4 from 9:00AM to 11:00AM. Middle School Wrestlers from Elk Grove, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, and Cameron Park all participated in the camp to make improvements on their takedowns, top wrestling and bottom wrestling. Here is a very brief list of the technique covered on the mat during the three 90 minute sessions:

Day 1:

- Stance

- Stance Motion

- Penetration Steps

- Hand Fighting

- Hand Control

- Head Position

- Double Leg 

- Double Leg Near Fall

Day 2:

- Review of Day 1 

- Referee's Position

- Sit Out

- Knee Slide

- Stand Up

- Cut & Face

Day 3:

- Review of Day 1 

- Review of Day 2

- Escaping Near Fall & the Pin

- Recovering from your stomach

- Arm Turk

- Chain Wrestling

In addition to wrestling, clinicians Eliot Kelly and Beau Weiner emphasized the importance of applying the different concepts and attributes that wrestling teaches in the student's daily life. Respect, Focus, Hustle, and Awareness were some of the many principles of Martial Arts reinforced in the camp. For more information on El Dorado Hills Wrestling Camps visit the link below.

Wrestling Dojo

EDH Grappling 

916 595 4064

Putting the Martial Arts Back into Wrestling

EDH Jiu Jitsu Student Featured in the Mountain Democrat

Student learns Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to control Tourette’s

ELIOT KELLY, 28, of Folsom, right, owner of El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, helps his student Nico Libby, 12, of El Dorado Hills, practice the Flying Arm Bar at the facility. Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene

By Special to the Democrat

By Julie Samrick

When Nico Libby was 10, debilitating seizures disrupted his life every day. The Libby family, living overseas at the time, then got the diagnosis: Tourette’s Syndrome.

They got on the first plane back to the United States. “We knew the United States would have the best care for Nico,” said Nico’s father Fritz Libby. ”We just wanted to come home.”

Yet it wasn’t so easy once the family moved to El Dorado Hills. Last year Nico still suffered anxiety attacks at Marina Village Middle School so severe his parents were called every school day for 52 straight days to help calm him down.

“It was a very stressful time,” said Nico’s mother Christine. “I never left the house during the day for fear the school would call.”

Doctors suggested rigorous exercise five to six days a week could help ease Nico’s anxiety and Tourette’s syndrome, but it was hard to find the right fit. “We tried every sport there is, but it wasn’t until last April we stumbled upon something that finally helped Nico start to get better,” said Fritz and Christine.

Now the Libbys want others to know about El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, something they call “the hidden gem of El Dorado Hills.”

Under the guidance of Eliot Kelly, El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has operated out of West Coast Martial Arts in the Business Park since 2010. Kelly, 28, who first learned jiu jitsu while growing up in Japan and wrestled at UC Davis, said jiu jitsu is “a grappling, self-defense martial art. There is no striking in jiu jitsu, but the fighting is taken to the mat.”

Nico signed up for a free 30-day trial last spring but wanted to quit after three sessions. His parents said they’d allow it if Nico told Eliot Kelly himself — that conversation changed everything.

“I’d still like you to come for the rest of the 30 days and watch class; you don’t have to take part,” Kelly told Nico at the time. “You (Nico) looked me in the eye when you signed up for the trial and you shook my hand. Honoring your commitment is part of being a man.”

Used to others letting him off the hook because of his challenges, Kelly’s words started to help Nico get stronger mentally and helped raise his self-esteem. From that day forward he has become one of Kelly’s best students, and the school hasn’t called his parents once so far this year.

Nico has learned to master his moods under the guidance of Kelly and has also grown stronger from taking on the responsibility of helping others, a major tenet of jiu jitsu, said his parents. This, in turn, has helped with the physical symptoms of Tourette’s and anxiety. His parents said they believe the transformation they’ve seen in Nico is nothing short of a miracle.

“Jiu jitsu is a lifestyle approach,” said Kelly. “We focus on the whole person.”

At the end of every class Kelly spends a few minutes talking about issues beyond the mat.  Sometimes it’s bullying, other times it’s a charity opportunity in which he’d like his students participate.

It takes six to 10 years to go from beginner to earning a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt.

And what has Brazilian jiu jitsu meant to Nico thus far? The 12-year-old sums it up in one sentence: “It’s made me a better person.”

For more information about enrolling in El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiu Jitsu call 916-595-4064 or visit www.edhbjj.com

Increase your levels of awareness with Brazilian Jiujitsu

      We got back on the mat for the first time in 2013 as a team to train Jiujitsu in El Dorado Hills! It's great to see everyone on the mat training hard with enthusiasm and ambition. Unfortunately, there have been some very tragic moments in the Sacramento area lately. It's not fair that people have to live in fear of being attacked, mugged, or assaulted. As we continue to train and develop our martial arts on the mat, it is even more important to develop our first line of self-defense: AWARENESS. Training yourself to be aware of where you are in relation to others rolling on the mat is the first step. Instead of walking around, only invested in your thoughts be aware of the people around you.

     As a result of becoming a more aware individual, we should find ourselves consciously recognizing dangerous situations. Additionally, we will begin to recognize the good we are surrounded by as well. As a result of recognizing the dangers, hopefully we will be able to recognize some of the more beautiful things and people we find ourselves surrounded by. The people working hard to make a difference, the people needing help, the people selflessly giving to better their community. So let's get on the mat with the conscious effort to build and train our levels of awareness. Let's get all of our friends to learn Brazilian Jiujitsu or Judo, or Wrestling or any type of Martial Art that will allow us to apply the lessons we are learning on the mat on the streets and in our everyday lives. Our doors are always open to those you are ready to make a difference. See you on the mat!

El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiujitsu

916 595 4064

TRAIN. TRAIN. TRAIN.

New Year Resolutions and the jiujitsu lifestyle

     Happy New Year everyone! あけましておめでとうございます！This morning, I was thinking about the difficulty of sticking with New Year's resolutions and realized it's all about being patient, persistent, and positive. In 2013 many of us will still DATE something #/#/2012. We may notice our mistake, laugh and correct it. We may not notice it and someone might point it out for us. Let’s be thankful they were kind enough to notice. I’m certain none of us will just give up on remembering to write #/#/2013 and insist on using 2012 for the rest of the year. 

Owen Age 5 training the Arm bar at EDHBJJ

     Our path towards our resolutions and goals should work the same way. Allow for mistakes to happen. Allow for others to support and correct you. Allow yourself time to adapt with the New Year. I wish everyone the best in 2013!

     El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiu Jitsu will not only teach you about goal setting, but also lay a solid foundation to help you follow through with those goals. Since our Martial Arts program is focused on pursuing victory with honor on and off the mat, our students strive for excellence in all areas of life. This lifestyle approach to Martial Arts is a unique application of extending the dojo into the outside world. Many people refer to this as living the jiujitsu lifestyle. 

     Join us on the mats in 2013. Whatever your circumstances are, we will make Jiujitsu work for you. Age, shape, schedule, call or email us to schedule a FREE 20 minute Introductory Private Lesson to feel and experience what jiujitsu can do! 

Eliot Kelly

El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiujitsu

916 595 4064

Patience Persistence Positivity