Sacramento BJJ | Martial Arts | Self Defense
A World Class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Martial Arts Academy Serving Sacramento Since 2011.
The kids class under way at Yemaso BJJ. Day 2 we learned to recover half guard from under side control. Yesterday, we learned to recover closed guard from under side control.
Fostering Self-Discipline – One of the central tenets of all forms of the martial arts is an absolute focus on self-discipline. Today’s kids are so accustomed to receiving instant gratification that lessons in self-restraint and discipline aren’t always easy to come by. Kids with a martial arts background, however, are continually reminded of how essential self-discipline is.
Boosting Socialization Skills – Kids who don’t always thrive in highly social environments may find it easier to get to know people and make new friends when they’re in a room filled with peers who share a common interest. The kids on the playground may not always have much common ground, but devotees to the martial arts are able to get to know one another through shared pursuits. Partner-driven forms like jiu jitsu can also foster camaraderie, as they force kids to pair off and build their skills together.
Encouraging Physical Activity – Limiting screen time is a great idea when it comes to getting kids off the couch and encouraging them to be more active, but it only goes so far. Enrolling an inactive child in such a physically demanding pastime not only discourages the sedentary lifestyle she’s used to, but also gives her an enjoyable activity that inspires her to keep moving.
Learning to Set and Achieve Goals – Most forms of martial arts are based around an accomplishment system of colored belts that signify the wearer’s degree of skill. When your child strives toward each new belt, he’s learning valuable lessons about setting and reaching his goals.
Increased Self-Esteem – Confidence comes with achievement, so your child’s self-esteem level will get a boost with every new move he masters and every belt he earns. Kids who struggle with a low sense of self-worth usually become more confident as time progresses while they’re enrolled in a martial arts class.
Instilling a Sense of Respect – Learning any martial arts style will require your child to show her instructor unflinching respect. Today’s kid culture doesn’t always include respect for authority, adults or those in advanced positions. When she goes to her karate or tae kwon do class, though, your child will be learning lessons in respect along with new moves.
Encouraging Non-Violent Conflict Resolution – Thinking that martial arts instruction promotes violent behavior is justified if your only experience with the activity comes from television or movies. In fact, many defensive styles teach kids peaceful, non-violent conflict resolution skills and emphasize the importance of avoiding a physical altercation.
Improving Listening Skills – In order to master the skills she’s being taught and advance through the belt ranks, your child will have to exercise superior listening skills. Kids who aren’t always adept when it comes to paying attention to what they’re told can benefit from the verbal instruction and one-on-one work in her dojo.
Developing Teamwork Skills – Whether he’s breaking boards to get a new belt or sparring in a practice setting to master a new maneuver, there are few things that your child does in his martial arts classes that will be done on his own. Working together to learn new things and accomplish goals is an important life lesson for kids to learn, and instruction in the martial arts can help your child learn that lesson.
Improvement in Other Areas of Life – The benefits of martial arts training don’t end in the dojo. The boost in confidence, increased fitness level and new cooperation skills will also help your child navigate the academic and social aspects of school, affect his behavior at home and have an all-around good influence on him as he develops into an adult.
These benefits are listed in a great article, that talks about 10 reasons a parent should consider signing up their kid(s) for martial arts training.
Not only did the island bless me with heritage and culture, a constant influence in my youth, but also a wealth of new and existing Puerto Rican Jiu-Jitsu practitioners that look to me with a sense of pride. Every time I go I am received with the curiosity of puerto rican bjj aficionados, and the warmth of the hometown Puerto Rican crowd. I appeared in one of the biggest newspapers on the island, el Nuevo Dia, and the feeling of being honored for my sacrifices from such an amazing group of people is indescribable.
They are as proud of me as I am to represent my fellow Boricuas (Puerto Ricans).
I held a number of classes from the Natatorium, a massive pool complex where many international events are held (and where Eduardo Ortiz from the Behring Wolfpack holds classes), to the Coqui Dome in Cupey where Manuel Rey from Behring BJJ hold his. I was able to teach a class at Shimmy Disoriannos school in Isla Verde, RIGHT in front of the beach and, finally, I was able to teach a seminar at the Sparta Wrestling Club where Puerto Rico has produced Olympic wrestling champions such as Jaime Espinal, Franklin Gomez and Francisco Soler. I look forward to working with the local mma talent in Puerto Rico.
I am humbled and honored to be recognized among them and pray that my continuing battle to be the best I can be motivates the new generations of Boricuas to do the same. The classes were packed. Sometimes even comically bringing some practitioners out of their self imposed “breaks” as everyone wanted to check out some of the new techniques I bring back!
Make no mistake, the Boricuas are hungry for knowledge and even though our current numbers in IBJJF events are not substantial they are growing bit by bit and many have brought back medals from Chicago, NY, Atlanta, Miami, and Boston Opens.
I even have the opportunity to continually work with Carlos Saquic whom I consider to be one of Puerto Ricos most promising stars. He has medaled at many IBJJF events including the Pan Ams, taking silver in 2012 as a blue belt ( no small feat at such a prestigious event).
Aside from the understandable depression associated with leaving the island, I am filled with optimism and pride of the growth on the mats. I leave with my batteries charged and another 10 lbs that I have no clue where they came from! *wink* I am ready now for more… Hungry (not literally …. Well, maybe yea literally lol) for more GOLD and for hard training.
Osu
Wow what a weekend! This marks the first time that Team Yemaso competes on two different coasts , with the American Cup on the west coast and the IBJJF New York Open on the east! This is historic in that we are still a relatively small team but have extended our influence in the competitive arena to a nationwide level. Team Yemaso did not disappoint bringing back a number of medals from the American Cup & the IBJJF New York Open.
Coach and black belt Eliot Kelly also got in the mix and took home an impressive silver in his division and bronze in the absolute for his efforts. I have been to the American Cup and competed in Claudio Franças events and can say they are one, if not the best, run tournaments in the states. I know our guys worked hard and am very proud to see their work paying off! Now they are continuing their preparation for the IBJJF Vegas Open this weekend. Remember guys, I might not be there in person but I am always with you guys when you fight! I am very proud of you all and your dedication motivates me to keep working harder! Kick ass in Vegas!
On the east coast there was the 2013 IBJJF New York Open. This marked the first time I was able to compete in the Big Apple/ Empire State and I also was blessed with the opportunity to realize a dream in training with a man who’s credentials speak for themselves. I was initially reluctant to go considering a huge portion of the team was doing the American Cup on the west but under the guidance of Eliot Kelly I knew they were in qualified hands! This left the door open for me to go a couple days early to Marcelo Garcia’s academy in NY.
A good friend of mine and fellow black belt Paul Schreiner had been telling me for years, “hey man, come out and train, Marcelo is a beast!” And, he even opened his doors to host and let me stay with him in East Village. This was a SICK experience for me as I got to live the BJJ lifestyle as a New Yorker for a couple of days; walking the streets, hitting the subway ( an INCREDIBLE system for public transportation), training with beasts and eating delicious food – a definite MUST in NY as the culinary arts here are perfected!
After Paul schooled me on the subway system he let the reigns go and I was getting to Marcelo’s gym in under 20 min, probably much faster than a car or taxi ride too! Marcelo himself is an amazing person.
This sounds very cliché but it’s very important for me, especially in this time where our Jiu-Jitsu culture is experiencing some less that acceptable behavior, to see the character in a person of his stature that can be admired, respected, and even emulated.
I had said it once before when Royler Gracie came to my academy in Sacramento, CA that it’s soul food for me to see these people I idolize be such great human beings.
Not only is Marcelo a perfect ambassador for the sport but he is also a person that, after getting to know personally over the last couple days, I feel I can consider a mentor.
His approach to Jiu-Jitsu is very similar to mine in presentation. He is very detail orientated and you can see the glare of a perfectionist when he assesses your technique. Sure, I had taken seminars and shared techniques with world champs, but I felt the desire and the enjoyment of being a student again. I had been looking forward to a roll with him for years and the only thing that disappointed me was that I heard the bell and felt like I wanted more time lol I needed more time to soak up more info, more time to pick his brain, more time to roll, more time….
After his beasting of my guard (lol) we went to eat and he spoke with me as if we knew each other for years.
No, “I am holier than thou” type of attitude I get from some other world champions that I respect as competitors but not people. He spoke openly about anything and held nothing back. It was, as in the case with Royler Gracie, so refreshing to confirm he was the Man both on and off the mats!
I was able to train with Marcelo, Paul, and Rafael Rosendo among others and we all talked a lot and shared great techniques. This is the stuff I live for!!
I love the feeling of going somewhere new and having the opportunity to share a bit of your trade with other experts in the field and I cherish this experience.
Recently, I had trained with Caio Terra and Leo Lo for the Pans and I also got to sit and chat, share ideas, and be surrounded by great human beings. I just feel so blessed at this point in my life to be surrounded by all of you!
Thank you guys, thank you for being who you are and for opening your hearts and minds and I pray to have provided some measure of influence as well.
Now time for some beach, food, and Jits in Puerto Rico!!! I will be in the island for the next two weeks teaching and training the guys, many of whom look at me in the same light I look at individuals like Marcelo Garcia, Caio Terra, Leo Lo, Paul Schriener, Rafael Rosendo, Jared Weiner, Rafael Lovato, Ryan Hall, Mike Fowler, Royler Gracie, Eliot Kelly, Samir Chantre, Vicente Jr, Quexinho, and the tons more that influence me not only on but off the mats as well. The guys in PR show me a tremendous support being Puerto Rican and when I arrive the seminars/ classes get packed.
With the competition season winding down, we have time to focus on other areas of jiu-jitsu that are very important. Yemaso BJJ has teamed up with an all female organization to provide a women self defense tips and rape prevention seminar here in Sacramento. Self defense is an important skill to have. We are proud to be able to offer high quality bjj here in sacramento.
The women self defense tips and rape prevention seminar will be taught by world champion Sacramento Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor Marcos “Yemaso” Torregrosa. Depending on the success of this event, we wight be contacting other female organizations to hold another event. If there seems to be enough interested, this may become something we incorporate on a more regular basis to the entire public.
Unlike so many problems in the world, this is one that we can do something about: women CAN learn to defend themselves, face down an attacker and even avoid problems that could potentially escalate!
Here are some pictures of the appropriate attire to allow for ease of instruction:
Here are some videos about similar events around the country:
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