Tag Archives: grappling

Adult No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu at EDHBJJ: Your Ultimate Guide

Are you ready to take your jiu-jitsu skills to the next level? Look no further than El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (EDHBJJ) for top-notch adult no-gi jiu-jitsu training. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about adult no-gi jiu-jitsu at EDHBJJ, from its benefits to what makes it unique.

Benefits of Adult No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu

  1. Full-Body Workout: Engage multiple muscle groups while improving cardiovascular health.
  2. Self-Defense Skills: Learn practical techniques for real-life situations.
  3. Mental Toughness: Enhance focus, discipline, and problem-solving skills.
  4. Community and Camaraderie: Connect with like-minded individuals in a supportive environment.

What Sets EDHBJJ Apart?

  1. Expert Instruction: Our instructors are highly skilled and passionate about helping you reach your goals.
  2. Curriculum: Structured classes cater to beginners and advanced practitioners alike, ensuring steady progress.
  3. State-of-the-Art Facilities: Train in a clean, safe, and welcoming environment with access to top-notch training space.
  4. Flexible Schedule: With classes offered throughout the week, finding a time that fits your schedule is easy.

Embark on your jiu-jitsu journey with confidence at EDHBJJ. Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn self-defense or an experienced practitioner aiming to refine your skills, our adult no-gi jiu-jitsu program offers something for everyone. Experience the physical, mental, and social benefits of jiu-jitsu. Join us at EDHBJJ and unleash your full potential on the mat!

For more information about our adult no-gi jiu-jitsu classes, visit EDHBJJ’s website and send us an email edhbjj@gmail.com

BJJ demonstration at Japan Day in Sacramento

On April 21, Japan Club of CSU Sacramento hosted their 17th Japan Day celebration.

The event included taiko performance, Japanese dance, bun eating contest, soran bushi, and a martial arts demo featuring jujutsu.

From El Dorado Hills jiujitsu we had 10 performers choreograph a display of technique, dynamic movement, self defense concepts and how different bodies can interact regardless of age or size.

Performing a jiujitsu demonstration has a few great benefits. One, a demo is a great way to help an audience see and better understand what jiujitsu is. Two, practicing and performing a demo gives the performer an opportunity to be creative and find a way to showcase the martial art. Three, the act of performing simulates a competition type experience.

A jiujitsu demo is a great way to help an untrained eye see and understand the subtle nuances of the martial art. While it might be best to actually step on the mat and do a trial class to really experience the potential of jiujitsu, a demo done right helps the audience notice the different concepts of leverage, control, pressure, and more. Additionally a demo can condense something that might take 5 to 10 minutes to happen in a match into less than a minute.

There is an element of creative expression built into the practice of jiujitsu in general. Different body types and personalities allow for a differing expression of the martial art to come about. In choreography of a demo a student can work with a partner to fully express their style of jiujitsu and reveal elements of themselves through their performance.

Competition requires mental, physical, and technical preparation and a demo can be very similar. Although the environment is not a competitive setting, there is an expectation to perform the choreography. This can cause similar pre match jitter and excitement. Whether it be performing for a tournament for a demo the feelings and thoughts that set in prior to performing is quite similar. Experiencing these feelings gives us an opportunity to learn different coping strategies and how to deal with our thoughts, feelings, the controllable and uncontrollable.

Thank you Japan day for hosing us, and congratulations to the performers who were able to make an impression on the audience with their display of jiujitsu.

JJWL Pacific Cup Results

The jiujitsu world league no was in Stockton CA again this weekend and competitions from el dorado hills jiujitsu showed up in with over 40 competitors. As a team we finished overall 8th out of 160+ competitors! An incredible accomplishment for us as we grow into the Northern California competition scene. We are very thankful to our teammates who helped with the preparation process, families and teammates in attendance to support and encourage the competitors and the many coaches who were out on the floor coaching!

As an association American Jiu Jitsu Syndicate finished in 2nd place! EDH Jiu-Jitsu is very thankful to be part of an association that is excited to train hard, have fun and enjoy the process of constant improvement.

We weren’t able to catch a photo of everyone but it was great to see our kids and adults out there in action!

Cultivating a practice of gratitude in jiujitsu and martial arts

In a world that often focuses on what’s lacking or what needs improvement, cultivating a practice of gratitude can be transformative. Gratitude is the act of recognizing and appreciating the good things in our lives, both big and small. It’s a powerful mindset that can bring about a shift in our perspective, leading to increased happiness, contentment, and overall well-being. In this post, we will explore the many benefits of gratitude and how we can incorporate it into our daily lives.

Gratitude has been found to have a significant impact on our mental health. Research suggests that expressing gratitude can increase positive emotions, reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, and improve overall life satisfaction. By focusing on what we have rather than what we lack, we train our minds to seek out the positive aspects of our lives, fostering a sense of optimism and resilience.

Gratitude has the power to deepen our connections with others. When we express gratitude towards someone, it not only makes them feel appreciated and valued but also strengthens the bond between us. Whether it’s a simple thank you note, a heartfelt conversation, or acts of kindness, expressing gratitude towards loved ones and even strangers can foster a sense of belonging and create a ripple effect of positivity in our relationships.

Practicing gratitude helps us shift our perspective from scarcity to abundance. It reminds us that even during challenging times, there are still things to be thankful for. Instead of dwelling on what’s going wrong, we redirect our attention to the blessings, opportunities, and lessons present in our lives. This shift in perspective can lead to increased resilience, a greater sense of control, and a more positive outlook on life.

Gratitude and mindfulness go hand in hand. When we practice gratitude, we train ourselves to be fully present in the moment, appreciating the beauty and goodness around us. By focusing on the present rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, we can experience a greater sense of peace and contentment. Gratitude serves as an anchor, grounding us in the here and now, and reminding us to savor life’s precious moments.

Gratitude is a catalyst for personal growth and self-improvement. When we embrace gratitude, we become more aware of our strengths, accomplishments, and the progress we’ve made. It encourages us to acknowledge and learn from our challenges, seeing them as opportunities for growth and development. Gratitude empowers us to cultivate a growth mindset and pursue our goals with enthusiasm and determination.

Here are some ways we can incorporate gratitude into our daily lives
Keep a gratitude journal: Write down three things you are grateful for each day.

  • Practice gratitude meditation: Set aside a few minutes to reflect on the things you appreciate in your life.
  • Express gratitude to others: Take the time to thank those who have made a positive impact on your life.
  • Focus on the present moment: Engage in activities mindfully, savoring the experience and expressing gratitude for it.
  • Shift your language: Replace complaints and negative statements with gratitude and positive affirmations.

Gratitude is a powerful practice that can transform our lives, fostering happiness, contentment, and resilience. By cultivating an attitude of gratitude, we shift our focus from what’s lacking to what’s abundant, paving the way for greater joy and fulfillment. So, let’s make gratitude a part of our daily lives and unlock its remarkable benefits. As Melody Beattie wisely said, “Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

Coach Danny

Watching and understanding Judo for fun and to learn Tachi Waza (standing technique)

In my free time I have been enjoying watching Judo lately. It is an exciting sport with a lot of similarities and some big differences to BJJ. I started watching it to study techniques that I could add to my takedown game. Then I kept watching  matches because I found them really entertaining. 

Watching Judo I learned about the rules. Each player is trying to “Ippon” the other one. This means they are trying to throw them and get their back flat on the mat. If one player throws the other on their side with partial back to the mat they score a “waza-ari”. Two of those are equal to an Ippon. The matches are four minutes and pretty fast paced. Stalling is called very quickly by the refs for lack of action, which I’m a fan of. Once the match is on the ground one player can win by pin or submission but the ref will stand both players up pretty quickly if the action stops. Most Judo players don’t engage very much on the ground based on the matches I watched. I think the length of the matches in Judo help make it an exciting sport, I probably have an unpopular opinion about this but I think BJJ should copy that. There are so many black belt Jiu Jitsu matches that are a very slow eight minutes with a two minute sprint at the end. I could be missing some rules but this is what I have learned so far. 

My favorite athlete to watch and study so far is Shohei Ono. He is an athlete from Japan. He has won three world titles and two Olympic gold medals. His matches are very exciting and he is known for doing a double sleeve grip throw (I don’t know the name of the technique). I will continue to watch and study this sport and hopefully be able to add some cool throws to my stand up.

Coach Danny

Belt Promotion: PeeWee Gray White Belt Sam

Congrats Sam! PeeWee jiujitsu class gray white belt promotion:

Sam brings focus to the peewee class where things can get kinda crazy at times. His leadership is in his ability to focus, concentrate, and show others how to train. Even in a class with four year olds with are brand new to the art of jiujitsu, Sam’s actions speak for the coaches. When Sam speaks every body listens.

Sam started jiujitsu with the invitation from his friend, and you will find them challenging each other, laughing, learning, and growing into the mat as a martial artist. Friendship on the mat is an incredible experience. Your friend becomes a person you want to beat, a person who will encourage you, and someone you will respect more each and every day you train.

Bronze to EDH from IBJJF NoGi World Championships

Eliot, Marshall, Vin, Tanner

EDH Jiu Jitsu had 2 competitors compete in the most prestigious NoGi IBJJF tournament this year in Anaheim, CA. The IBJJF NoGi World Championships. Eliot Kelly and Tanner Ford made their preparation for the competition this weekend. Eliot finished in third place on the podium with a bronze medal and Tanner, coming back after a year sabbatical from an injury, finished with one win and one loss.

The tournament was a great learning experience for both competitors as they made their way through the tough bracket at the world championships. “The best of the best compete in this tournament. It’s a lot of hard work and a little bit of luck that takes you to the next round and to the top of the podium.” Visiting black belt from Rhode Island and IBJJF NoGi Pan American medalist, Vin Canabarro, was also on the mat at EDH in the week of competition. “It was great to have Vinny in town. In his first year as black belt he’s made a name for himself on the east coast. It’s only a matter of time before he is all over the world.” Vinny fought through the tournament with one win and one loss as well.

Eliot and Diego in the open class

Eliot Kelly competed in the open class as well as the weight category. Having finished with a silver medal in 2012 at the super heavy wt division, Eliot had high aspirations to finish at the top of the podium in his category and double medal in the open class division. He fell short in the open class to Diego from Ze Radiola Team 2-0 0-3. “I came to win and didn’t, but I did get some task goals accomplished that I’ve been working on only in the last few weeks. I just need to keep working on them.”

Joao Assis, Lucas Barbosa, Aaron Johnson, Eliot Kelly, Super Heavey Wt. IBJJF NoGi World

Eliot fought his way to the semi finals of the tournament, but was stopped by Lucas Barbosa, the eventual weight and open weight champion of the tournament.

NAGA in San Jose

EDH Jiu Jitsu had three competitors in action at the competition arena this weekend in San Jose, CA. Jamie, Ricky, and Danny all made their show in the NoGi divisions of the NAGA San Jose Grappling Championships. (North American Grappling Association).

Jamie won gold in the intermediate blue belt division and was called up to compete in the expert division for purple belts and above. Overall she made some impressive improvements from her last competition, and challenged herself to play outside of her comfort zone.

In the expert division,  the final score of the six minute match was 8-3. Congratulations to Jamie on her performance and constant improvement. For those who are not in the know, Jamie trains 2-3 times daily both on and off the mat. Her dedication to improvement and pursuit of success is unmatched.

Danny and Ricky competed in the men’s division of the NAGA championships. Ricky fell short in his first match. Danny pulled through to the finals and finished with a Silver medal. He also made some impressive improvements from his last tournament experience at the Grappling X in Elk Grove, CA in November.

Regardless of the outcome, preparation for competition done right always leads to continued improvement. It’s exciting to see everyone give their best in the arena and make no excuses about their performance. We look forward to seeing these competitors in action again soon!!

NABJJF San Diego International Open Gold

Josh Bacon won Gold at the NABJJF (North America Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation) San Diego International Open. Josh competed in the NoGi division for the tournament held on February 26 in San Diego, CA. The NABJJF belongs to the SJJIF (Sport Jiu Jitsu International Federation) and it aims to expand and unite the sport internationally with rules, regulation and style that conforms to Olympic standards and embodies the Olympic spirit.

Josh made an impressive show of heart victory to secure a medal at the Grappling X tournament held in Elk Grove in November of 2016. He had to take a little break from training between the two competitions, but his passion to train, learn, and compete pulled him back out to the competition arena in San Diego. He had an impressive showing, and was back on the mat the following week after his return from San Diego.

Here is the link to his finals match posted on facebook life:

ADCC North American Trials Champion

Eliot Kelly, head instructor of El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Self Defense, qualified for the most prestigious submission wrestling tournament in the world last weekend in Bayville, New Jersey at the ADCC North American Trials. The ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) Championships, often referred as the Olympics of grappling, will be held in Helsinki, Finland in September, 2017.

15138581_1298638326853621_3990788437185146723_oThe ADCC North American Trials featured some of the best grapplers in North America. Eliot had three bouts to secure his invitation. In his first,  he won by referee decision after no points in overtime. In his semi final match, he won by 2 points in the overtime round. In the final match, he won by 2 points in the regulation round. His bouts can be found on flograppling.com

15085560_1159304874155298_2924207230747964222_n“It’s never easy to travel all the way across the country and compete, but I was able to qualify and make it to the championships. There’s plenty of time to prepare so I’m getting together my coaches from EDH Jiu Jitsu, One Body Pain & Performance, and Apex Wrestling now to represent our community and the United States!”