Jiu-Jitsu Strategies On and Off the Mat.

woman in a kimono makes a painful

Jiu-Jitsu Strategies On and Off the Mat. Often, we go to Jiu-Jitsu class learn some new moves, practice them, and make some of them part of our own game. It is easy to get caught up in this cycle and not progress even close to what our true potential is. In this article, I want… Read more »

Jiu Jitsu for Beginners Survival Guide

  Jiu Jitsu is a complex art of skill and strength. At first it can seem so overwhelming that we want to give up. Our goals to be strong and fit, or to know how to fight just don’t seem worth it. It doesn’t have to be this way. You see most of the energy… Read more »

What is the MMA Formula?

mma portland

The MMA Formula, which was popularized by Jeff Patterson, is a simple, efficient, and effective formula that you can use as a reference for your MMA training. Basically, it breaks down MMA combat into three basic phases, each of which can be mastered with repetition of MMA drills. With that being said, let’s learn more about this formula…. Read more »

Yielding in Jiu Jitsu

Guillotine Choke

“Sir, you need to relax.  You are using a lot of muscle.”  I’ve heard this every week or two for the last nine years.  To my credit it’s better than it used to be.  I can flow… some 🙂  Still, yielding more, even in the face of intense pressure has become the heart of my… Read more »

Walking Away – The Best Self-Defense Weapon You Have

The Best Self-Defense Weapon You Have Just because you’re familiar with flying arm bars or rear naked chokes, doesn’t mean that you should use them. Many experienced grapplers know that sometimes the best self-defense you can use in a altercation is to walk away. Let’s look at the reasons why. Reason #1 to Walk Away:… Read more »

When Push Comes to Shove – Using Self-Defense for a Physical Altercation That WASN’T Your Fault

When Push Comes to Shove – Using Self-Defense for a Physical Altercation That WASN’T Your Fault Let’s pretend that you’re sitting at a restaurant and all of a sudden a drunken individual bumps into your table. And instead of apologizing, he starts blabbering about how he’s going to “teach you a lesson”. Then, he takes… Read more »

Best Self-Defense Moves to Know As a Woman

Best Self-Defense Moves to Know As a Woman Most women participate in self-defense classes for the sole purpose of being able to protect themselves in public – others simply do it to stay in shape or keep themselves busy. If you’re going to partake in a self-defense martial art (like Jiu-Jitsu for example) then there… Read more »

Should Women Compete Against Men In BJJ

Should Women Compete Against Men in BJJ Tournaments? Whether or not women should compete against men in BJJ tournaments is actually a pretty big topic within the BJJ community. After all, women aren’t as strong or technically savvy, right? Wrong! These days, it isn’t uncommon to women with black belts who are capable of beating… Read more »