Yemaso BJJ Adds two Classes to Evenings

Our martial arts academy has been diligently growing.

One of the most common questions we receive from potential new students is about classes specifically for beginners.

Starting a combat sport can be intimidating; it is easy to forget how intimidating starting a combative martial art can seem to be, for those of us who have been long removed from our first days.

Yemaso BJJ has always believed in having a specific on-boarding experience for new members.  Historically, we have taken new students and paired them up with high ranked students during classes and slowly absorbed them into the daily curriculum after weeks of scaffolding warmups, reviewing positional hierarchy, and going over a basics crash course.

This has worked for us for years, but, as the academy continues to grow, we see an opportunity to develop the on-boarding experience, for new students, to increase the efficacy of learning and introduce the beauty that is the Art of Jiu-Jitsu.

Fundamentals Class

High ranked students will continue to be an integral part of the on-boarding process for new students; we will not disallow senior students to attend the fundamentals class.  In fact, we will be counting on high ranked students to continue to refine their fundamentals as well as aid in the development of new students.

Goals of The Fundamentals Class

• Provide a highly structured welcome experience for new students.
• Make the learning of Jiu-Jitsu a more accessible & inclusive experience.
• A razor sharp focus on the fundamentals that make Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu an effective form of self-defense.
• Prepare new students for participation in the advanced class.

This class will be open to all members.  Through the aid of multiple high ranking people, we will facilitate a class that is mutually beneficial for the newest of all students as well as for the more experienced students.  We look forward to the development of this class for our students.  The cumulative effect of the curriculum combined with our training practices have been paramount to Yemaso BJJ becoming the only Martial Arts Academy in Sacramento to have won an International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation team trophy.  In fact, we have won four IBJJF team trophies in four consecutive years.

The fundamentals class will be held 6:30pm – 7:30pm, Monday through Thursday.

Advanced Class

Immediately following the fundamentals class, we will be holding a new class aimed to explore the intricacies of skill refinement for live applications.  We look to introduce state of the art concepts and theories to challenge the most skilled martial artists.  Basically, we are taking our existing curriculum and diving deeper into mastering the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and grappling.

Goals of The Advanced Class

• Challenge students to attain new levels of BJJ/grappling skill.
• Provide a platform for rigorous discipline towards their individual goals.
• Help students express technique to their fullest potentials.
• Create competent and comprehensive grapplers on the way to the black belt.

The Advanced class will be held 7:30pm to 9:00pm, Monday through Thursday.

This past Saturday, June 6th, Yemaso Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy had the distinct pleasure of hosting multiple time world champion Gianni Grippo.  Gianni has traveled the world and, much like instructor Marcos “Yemaso” Torregrosa, has learned from the best on his way to becoming one of the best.

Gianni Grippo’s accomplishments:

Gianni’s Training Philosophy

Gianni shared a lot about his training mentality and how he goes about developing his game.  Gianni is a big believer in drilling techniques repetitively until they become second nature.  This is a concept that we have cultivated at Yemaso BJJ, and hearing one of the best in the game share the same sentiment validates our efforts and proves that we are aligned with the best principles to develop great martial artists.
 
The seminar went a good four hours as Gianni personally made sure everyone understood and applied the concepts he taught.  In addition, Gianni made himself available to roll with the students of Yemaso BJJ.  We ended the seminar with a question and answer session where Gianni allowed the students of Yemaso BJJ to ask him anything.
 
Gianni fielded questions regarding diet, organization of his time (he is also a full time student), specifics about techniques, and how he cares for his body.  Gianni also made it a point to talk about being a black belt on and off the mats.  Being a black belt on the mats is all about the skill and application of the martial art.  But, being a black belt off the mats is about being a kind, responsible, role model for others as it relates to everything outside of the martial arts.
 
Gianni was a great guest and we look forward to having him back again in the future. Yemaso BJJ is committed to the continued development of our students; we will always do our best to bring forth the most modern, efficient, innovation in martial arts.

If You are Looking for Activities for Families

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu just might be everything you are looking for in an activity, that you don’t know about.  Until now.  Parents understand that sports provide great benefits for their children.  Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu offers many of the same benefits that other sports, like little league soccer for example, offers to kids, but Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu does much more.

We are excited about the new kids program, and that is coming along very well.  We are happy to be able to provide the community of Sacramento with a service that extends beyond the mats.

Jiu-Jitsu can provide children and families an activity that brings them together like no other.

At El Dorado Hills BJJ, an affiliate and satellite school of Yemaso BJJ, one of the newly promoted shared a sentiment that was truly beautiful.  Aiza, a recent recipient of a blue belt, marking the ascension into the intermediate ranks, talks about how her family got involved in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu:

The plan was to have Angelo (our son) do Jiu-Jitsu so he can work on balance/falling in basketball.  All three (of our kids) ended up doing it, followed by Jerel (my husband/their father) a week after.

I used to sit and watch them train and when we got home, I’d say, “I want to do Jiu-Jitsu.”  He’d respond with, “Go for it.” but I’d respond with an excuse about my shoulders and back hurting.  He’d tell me, “You know what will fix that? Jiu Jitsu.”  I tried one class and felt nauseous from rolling.

I gave up.

A year after, I caved in to my adventurous side.  I was determined to do Jiu-Jitsu because I was bored just sitting and watching.  I told him I was out of shape and I wanted to get used to the feeling of rolling on the mat, so in between the kids and adults class he showed me the basics.  A ladies class was formed shortly and I took advantage of that.  When class was over and it was time to go home, I’d tell him I wanted to go back and do the next class, he’d say, “You got your second wind?”  I was excited when he ordered my first gi!

The boys used to do 2 classes a week, that’s our second home now-we’re there everyday (except when Angelo is doing a school sport).  When I started, I knew I wanted a blue belt.  Yes, I felt sad when I didn’t get it in spring of 2013, but Eliot told me that he knows how hard I worked, and knew that it wasn’t easy to train with the big men, that I would get it at the next promotion.

Sadness took over me at the end of that month when my husband had his heart attack.  I quit training, hated being at Jiu-Jitsu, but endured it watching my kids continue to train.

I quit for 6 months, didn’t get the blue.  Jerel started training again when he got the ok from the doctor, I followed a month after.  Angelo (my son) used to tell me, “Are you gonna sit and watch again? D ad’s fine mom…”

I got promoted to a blue belt last night. It’s more meaningful to me now than it would have been a year earlier.

My family does Jiu-Jitsu for health, challenge, fun, and for the people in class I consider our second family.  I love being surrounded with the positive people and families.

 

Huge congratulations to all of the newly promoted, and all the jiu-jitsu families at EDH!

If you are in the El Dorado Hills area, make sure to check out EDH BJJ for one of the best family friendly activities you can find.  Likewise, in Sacramento, come down to Yemaso BJJ and start a journey your family will always remember!

 

Yemaso BJJ 2014 Accomplishments

We started 2014 on a good note.  For the second year in a row our Sacramento Jiu-Jitsu academy went to the San Francisco International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation tournament, and brought back a team title.  Our small team was able to accomplish a second place team trophy with some outstanding efforts from the entire team.  We shared the podium with two other powerhouses in Caio Terra & Atos, both of which boast international associations and teams that are larger than our small squad of dedicated athletes.

 

A video posted by Marcos “Yemaso” Torregrosa (@yemasobjj) on Feb 2, 2014 at 8:49pm PST

 
Following the team trophy, we kept that momentum leading into the year of competitions.  After having made our mark locally, our athletes were able to earn some pretty notable accomplishments abroad.  We had some very ambitious athletes go out and compete in the biggest tournaments the world has to offer. 

Major Tournament Medalists:

Pan Ams

• Billy English – White Belt Lightweight Silver Medalist
• Sourikone Nhingsavath – White Belt Lightweight Silver Medalist
• Rich Bothun – Purple Belt Middleweight Silver Medalist
• Marcus Boness – Brown Belt Middleweight Champion
• Marcos Torregrosa – Black Belt Lightweight Champion
• Steven Tafoya – Black Belt Middleweight Champion

Worlds

• Bernard Turner – White Belt Featherweight Champion
• Billy English – White Belt Lightweight Silver Medalist

American Nationals

• John Tai – White Belt Lightweight Bronze Medalist
• Jerry Hickman – White Belt Lightweight Silver Medalist
• Bernard Turner – Blue Belt Featherweight Bronze Medalist
• Bernard Turner – Blue Belt Absolute Bronze Medalist
• Donny Le – Purple Belt Light-Featherweight Champion
• Sean Gonsolin – Purple Belt Featherweight Bronze Medalist
• Rich Bothun – Purple Belt Medium-Heavyweight Champion
• Rich Bothun – Purple Belt Absolute Champion
• Eliot Kelly – Black Belt Heavyweight Silver Medalist
• Eliot Kelly – Black Belt Absolute Bronze Medalist
• Marcos Torregrosa – Black Belt Lightweight Champion
• Marcos Torregrosa – Black Belt Absolute Bronze Medalist

NoGi Worlds

• Billy English – Blue Belt Lightweight Bronze Medalist
• Rich Bothun – Purple Belt Medium-Heavyweight Silver Medalist
• Marcos Torregrosa – Black Belt Lightweight Champion

Master Worlds

• Carlos Machado – Blue Belt Light-Featherweight Bronze Medalist
• Billy English – Blue Belt Lightweight Bronze Medalist
• Allan Scott – Blue Belt Middleweight Silver Medalist
• Rich Bothun – Purple Belt Middleweight Champion
• Eliot Kelly – Black Belt Heavyweight Bronze Medalist
• Steven Tafoya – Black Belt Medium-Heavyweight Silver Medalist

 
Below is a list of Yemaso BJJ athletes who have managed to rank in the top 20 of their respective divisions.  These rankings are comprised of belt, weight, and age divisions for the whole world.  To be able to rank in the world means that you have to consistently win at tournaments.  These guys have been competing often and winning just as much.

Yemaso Athletes Ranked in Top 20:

 Angelo Suetos Tengan

• #1 Gi Teen3 Yellow Male
• #1 Gi Teen3 Yellow Male Feather

 

Bernard Turner

• #8 NoGi Master1 Blue Male Feather
• #20 Gi Master1 Blue Male Feather

 

Billy English

• #11 Gi Master1 Blue Male Light
• #13 NoGi Master1 Blue Male Light

 

Carlos Saquic Perez

• #18 Gi Adult Purple Male Rooster

 

Celina Malabanan

• #19 Gi Master1 Blue Female Feather

 

Donny Le

• #9 Gi Master1 Purple Male LightFeather

 

Eliot Andrew Kelly

• #3 NoGi Adult Black Male SuperHeavy
• #9 Gi Adult Black Male Heavy

 

Jerry Hickman

• #8 Gi Master2 White Male Light

 

Kyle Roberts

• #9 NoGi Adult Purple Male Heavy
• #17 Gi Adult Purple Male Heavy

 

Marcos Torregrosa

• #1 Gi Master1 Black Male Light
• #1 NoGi Master1 Black Male Light
• #2 Gi Master1 Black Male
• #2 NoGi Master1 Black Male

 

Marcus Boness

• #5 Gi Master3 Brown Male Medium
• #6 NoGi Master3 Brown Male MediumHeavy
• #14 Gi Master3 Brown Male Open

 

Randy Lacy

• #8 Gi Master2 Blue Male Light
• #8 NoGi Master2 Blue Male Light
• #20 NoGi Master2 Blue Male Open

 

Richard Selmar Bothun

• #1 Gi Master2 Purple Male Open
• #1 Gi Master2 Purple Male Medium
• #2 NoGi Master2 Purple Male MediumHeavy
• #5 Gi Master2 Purple Male MediumHeavy
• #6 NoGi Master2 Purple Male Open

 

Richard Wing Fu Wong

• #1 Gi Juvenile Purple Male
• #1 Gi Juvenile Purple Male Medium
• #1 NoGi Juvenile Purple Male Open
• #1 NoGi Juvenile Purple Male Medium

 

Sourikone Nhingsavath

• #3 Gi Master2 White Male Light

 

Steven Edward Tafoya

• #4 Gi Master5 Black Male Medium
• #8 Gi Master5 Black Male MediumHeavy
• #10 Gi Master5 Black Male Open

 

2015 Will be bigger. Join us.

The acquirement of a new affiliate of Puerto Rico means Yemaso BJJ is now an international team. You can expect to see our athletes competing on the east coast regularly in addition to our west coast efforts. Having a team in Puerto Rico will also allow us to coordinate some great Jiu-Jitsu vacations to train and enjoy the beaches of beautiful Puerto Rico (a traincation, if you will). Stay connected with us as we begin logistical planning in 2015. This is an exciting time for everyone involved with Yemaso BJJ!

 

A photo posted by Yemaso Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (@sacramentobjj) on Feb 2, 2014 at 8:57pm PST