Children’s BJJ For Better Health Habits

Posted on December 1, 2014 by myackulic

BJJ Kids in Edmonton

With general lifestyle habits deteriorating over time, the associated health detriments will no doubt keep very close to that trend, with a lot more lifestyle diseases being reported and suffered today and the really sad part is that all of this can be avoided with the simple act of taking things back to the basics of healthy living.

One need not necessarily become a full-on health nut — all it takes is a simple adjustment of lifestyle habits which could account for better health, but at the same time are probably very hard to change since they become an embedded part of modern day living.

The real cause for concern surrounding this is of course the mere fact that what starts out as a simple, once-off oversight on a health and lifestyle issue, gradually becomes a habit which eventually grows into a deeply-enshrined part of how we live our lives and the real danger is that bad health and lifestyle habits can have children born into them since the potency of these gets stronger generationally.

When a child is born into bad eating, health and lifestyle habits, they see absolutely nothing wrong with them and will continue to develop the legacy until those issues go right down to genetic levels, by which time it is very hard to change and nearly impossible to say the least.

Children’s BJJ for better health habits can be one of the many ways through which to counteract the detrimental effects of bad lifestyle habits, since Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) will ensure kids are exposed to high enough levels of activity to negate all the negative effects of an unhealthy lifestyle, or certainly go a long way in correcting some of the major advocates.

Children’s BJJ for better health habits is extremely effective because of one simple thing and that is the fact that kids who participate in a combative art form like Brazilian Jiu Jitsu do not feel as if they are engaging in somewhat of an exercise which requires a lot of them. — they do not feel as if they are obliged to do it but rather do it because they enjoy it, which is a win-win situation for all parties involved since the kids benefit in a number of different ways, many of which they do not even know.

If a child’s body gets accustomed to eating junk food everyday, with the absence of adequate exercise while they sit in front of the screen, playing video games all day, getting them involved in something like Brazilian Jiu Jitsu may be a mission at first, but once they have tasted the joy of being in an organized structure where they can interact with a number of other people, the exercise will most likely prove to be favorable to them and they will want more.

Children’s bodies love stimulation and the effects of that are directly felt by the kids, both mentally and physically, after which time the practice of something like BJJ becomes an essential part of their lives — something which they look forward to and do with a level of determination that will almost certainly fight against the detrimental lifestyle issues that could otherwise become a serious problem.

Now is a great time to start BJJ for your Child with our brand new Saturday classes. Email us at myackulic@arashido.com for more info.

Come down to Arashi Do Edmonton and try out one of our great Brazilian programs like Fundamental BJJ, Women’s Only BJJ or Children’s BJJ for ages 4-7 and 8-14.

Life Lessons Learnt from BJJ

Posted on March 28, 2014 by myackulic

As any martial artist will know, the influence of training stretches far wider than the walls of the dojo, spreading into all aspects of a students life. Martial arts and BJJ in particular, have taught me many useful principles that can be applied to my life in a wider sense.

1. Perfection is Unobtainable

The pursuit of perfection is exactly that, a pursuit, a journey with only a beginning rather than a definite end. In all aspects of your life, there is always room for improvement, learning is not a finite process. There is always scope to learn more, whether its taking up a new language or realising the flow of a technique should move slightly differently after performing it for the thousandth time. To have a perfect technique requires you to make a million tiny mistakes, tweaking each time in a constant never ending cycle.

The same principal can be applied to the rest of your life. Whether it be work, finding ways to be more efficient or relationships, making mistakes that shape you a person and learning from them. Practice will never make perfect, but the lesson to take home is that improvement is like a wind, with no definitive start or finish, just moving forward.

2. You Are Never the Best

Where you may be sitting pretty as the most accomplished in your school, if not on a regional or national scale, there will be someone better on a global scale. Rather than bother you, this fact should inspire, push you harder and enable you to learn from your fellow artists. Take something new from each roll, from each technique applied and each technique applied on you. I am always in competition, not with others but with myself, the constant strive for improvement should be relished in, in all aspects of a student’s life.

3. Getting Beat Builds Character

There is no shame in getting beaten, as long as you learn from it. Sure it can be initially embarrassing if you get dumped on your ass by the newbie, but that will teach you not to underestimate opponents. There are lessons to be learnt each time you get knocked down, no matter the scenario. If you accept this, the only way to move is onwards, in your training, performance and personal life.

4. 9 to 5 Isn’t Everything

BJJ helps put aspects of your life in perspective. Through is fundamental lessons of accepting defeat, dedication to improve, prioritisation of actions and endurance can be applied to both work and personal situations. If you lose a job, you’ll be back up looking for another just like losing a roll. If you try something and it doesn’t work out, you learn from it and try again. BJJ is just like any other sport, mastery takes time, practice and dedication. We live in a society where we expect success to be immediate, change to be fast and are driven by fads and crazes. BJJ teaches you to take a step back, take time to build a solid foundation of basics on which you can begin your climb to success.

5. Your Body IS a Temple

The best birthday present you ever got was your body. Without it you’d be useless, it takes battering on occasion but it’s always there for you. It’s capable of greatness if you condition it, care for it and don’t waste it. I’m not saying never drink, never have a binge day, I’m talking on a wider scale. By physical conditioning, eating well and training hard, you’ll be amazed at the knock on effects it can have. You’ll have more energy, sleep better, perform for longer and you’ll look fantastic. BJJ helps hone your body into an efficient, sculpted, straight-up-beast.

Come down to Arashi Do Edmonton and try out one of our great Brazilian programs like Fundamental BJJ, Women’s Only BJJ or Children’s BJJ for ages 4-7 and 8-14.

All those and you get a 30 DAY FREE TRIAL! As well as our 30 minute Fast Fitness program for FREE!

Common Mistakes for BJJ Beginners

Posted on March 17, 2014 by myackulic

Starting any new martial art is tough, and BJJ is no exception to this rule. When you’re down in close quarters, every mistake is amplified and every movement is crucial. One wrong move and you’ll find yourself locked down and helpless in a matter of seconds. You’ll be wondering what you’ve possibly done wrong, and in most cases the answer is straight forward.

BJJ is designed to allow a smaller opponent to take down a bigger guy and come out on top. Think about it, everyone is the same height when they are lying down. The reason from bringing the fight downtown to ground level is to mitigate what could be glaring differences in size, strength and overall athleticism. Careful technique is required for this to happen, moves need to be precise, and managing your opponents strength is important. The important thing to remember is to stick to what has been taught to you, there are no shortcuts when you’re learning. Learn something wrong and it will be wrong forever, work infrequently and more than likely result in you getting embarrassed at crunch time on the mats.

The most common mistake a BJJ instructor will see a student make again and again is trying to use raw strength to overpower their opponent. Don’t be a douche, logical technique will always over come trying to force it. By trying to force a technique on, be it a choke or an arm bar, you are projecting you weight and force in one singular direction. All your opponent needs to do to get the better of you is then counter your movement in another direction that your full on assault has left you weaker in. If you regularly find your attacks being countered, bring it back to basics, practise the movements at a slower pace in a non-competitive environment to get each step down, then reapply on the mats, you’ll be amazed at how many fewer times you find yourself getting owned.

Think of your start in BJJ as a new beginning, leave everything that you think is a physical attribute at the door. If you’re quick, so what this isn’t a race, if you’re strong, well that’s not really a compliment in BJJ… The only attributes that are going to make a difference are willingness to learn, dedication and patience. Fights are not won on ferocity alone, BJJ is not a brawl, it’s an art. The only way to improve art is to practice each and every aspect until they are engrained in your brain.

As a beginner, you’re going to get beat time and time again, it’s all part of the learning process. The important thing to remember is that everyone was a noob like you once. The only thing that sets them apart now is the level of practice they have given their technique. You’ll never find a higher grade relying on strength, their technique will be smooth, soft until you’re pummelled into the ground by momentum, but smooth nonetheless. Master the basics and you’ll have a BJJ career littered with victories!

Come down to Arashi Do Edmonton and try out one of our great Brazilian programs like Fundamental BJJ, Women’s Only BJJ or Children’s BJJ for ages 4-7 and 8-14.

All those and you get a 30 DAY FREE TRIAL! As well as our 30 minute Fast Fitness program for FREE!

BJJ in Edmonton: Maintaining the Culture

Posted on February 3, 2014 by myackulic

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, no matter where in the world it is practiced, always strives to maintain the purest element of culture which it is so well known for. With the popularity of BJJ growing so fast there is less and less risk of anyone getting a watered down version of BJJ. That being said it does bring out some who want to take advantage of the number of people wanting to learn.

Arashi Do has been part of the BJJ scene in Edmonton since the beginning. Professor Mike Yackulic was the second person in Edmonton to get a Black Belt. He has taught more than any other instructor in Edmonton and to a wider range of students than anyone as well. From children 3 years old to those over 50, he helps them all achieve their goals.

Even though Arashi Do is many miles away from the original land of the combative art, Brazil, he has keep up on his training. Training with his BJJ Instructor, Mestre Sylvio Behring (7th Degree Black Belt) twice a year and many trips to Rio De Janerio to train and compete.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instructors don’t necessarily have to be Brazilian to ensure that the highest standards are upheld, such as those maintained at Arashi Do Martial Arts. Many of the Instructors at Arashi Do began their training in other Martial Arts which helps offer a more complete picture for blending Arts together, with their interest in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu often growing from an initial interest in other, more traditional forms of the marital arts.

It is an extremely rare occurrence for a Jiu Jitsu teacher to have started their Jiu Jitsu career by diving head first into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, as it is somewhat of a highly specialized art, requiring a lot of skill and dedication to master. Patience goes a long way too, but Brazilian Jiu Jitsu novices need not worry about taking too long to really get going, as the basics are quite easy to grasp, especially if some understanding of the combative arts is already present.

If you do not have any experience in a previous martial art do not worry, in no way puts you at a disadvantage however, as this is actually an advantage, if anything, because the slate is completely clean and there are no bad habits brought over from any other forms of fighting. As an instructor I always find it more challenging to teach those that are unable to adapt the moves from their previous experience.

A fundamental mistake that many beginners make however, is thinking that the grappling-focused combative art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu requires nothing but making it up as you go, as in on-the-spot planning, quick reaction and high levels of improvisation can be misleading in that way.

A very high level of skill goes into mastering the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and, in most cases, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instructors, who run competitive BJJ clubs are often so passionate about their art that they would want to deliver their knowledge in a way that reflects well against them, while maintaining the purity of the art form, in honor of the greats who have entrusted them with the same knowledge that they are now tasked to pass on.

With all of these considerations, the culture of BJJ at Arashi Do Edmonton will never die. Our instructors are professionals that strive to learn from the best and bring back that knowledge to you. We not only bring experience in the technical side of the art but experience in teaching. Since Arashi Do North Edmonton opened it’s doors we have taught over 46,000 classes, making our school one of the most experienced ones in the city.

Nobody wants to disgrace the combative art form, doing all they can to preserve the kind of output demonstrated by Arashi Do and that is advantageous for all those wanting to learn BJJ in its purest form.

Come down to Arashi Do Edmonton and try out one of our great Brazilian programs like Fundamental BJJ, Women’s Only BJJ or Children’s BJJ for ages 4-7 and 8-14.

All those and you get a 30 DAY FREE TRIAL!

How Much Is It to Train?

Posted on January 20, 2014 by myackulic

Academy prices, the programs, and scheduling may affect where you want to train. JIU-JITSU school prices typically range from $100-150 dollars per month. This is the price range that is most common. The second price range is under $100 and the third most common price range is over $150.

Obviously, price may depend on where you live and what the school offers. Many schools today offer multiple pricing programs with multiple time slots. It is no surprise to see schools in some higher income areas reaching close to $300 per month for multiple programs. Is it worth it? That will depend on what you are looking for. Schools also adjust their rates based on a number of factors. Rent and Utilities, Staff, Cleaning Services, Special Amenities offered and Self Worth as an Instructor to name a few. When I first opened my doors 10 years ago my rates were much cheaper, but over the years I have grown as an Instructor and Mentor as well as improved my skills immensely.

Jiu-Jitsu can be either recreational for you or a full-time commitment. If you are or plan on being very dedicated, then you obviously want to take as many classes as possible. For many schools there will be extra charges for this, some schools will offer a reduced rate and others will offer special Open Training times for those dedicated to excelling.

Some schools offer beginner programs at a cheaper rate. Some programs have you sign a contract or an ‘agreement.’ Make sure you read the agreement carefully. Some of these agreements may say they are for a certain amount of FREE time. Sometimes this is on the back end of the agreement. This means if you sign up for a year the last month may be free or something to this effect. Some gyms require a sign up fee and may give you a uniform in the package.

Some other factors you may consider are insurance and media material. Some students do not like being seen on film or print media for professional purposes. Many schools today also use a third party collection agency that will collect for your school if you cannot pay the bill. If this is the case, be aware of it so you can make sure you have the necessary funds in your account.

Many schools offer multiple programs, like I mentioned. Schools are really starting to add more structure in terms of separating classes to fit different students’ needs (beginner through advanced). Some programs also offer other aspects of MMA that will be held at different time slots. Hopefully your program is not too stressful or complicated. Karate and traditional martial arts models work and are very successful, so this trend is really starting to carry over into the BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU sphere.

Always read the fine print and only enter into a contract you can commit to financially. School prices are higher than the local YMCA because you are learning an art. You are learning an art from a teacher who is a professional and had to spend years and hundreds of thousands of dollars to be able to teach. The owner has to pay rent and support their family, so respect whatever price is put in front of you, and if you don’t like it just train somewhere else. It’s that simple.

Come down to Arashi Do and try out one of our great Brazilian programs like Fundamental BJJ, Women’s Only BJJ or Children’s BJJ for ages 4-7 and 8-14.

All those and you get a 30 DAY FREE TRIAL!

Does the Gi Really Help?

Posted on October 7, 2013 by myackulic

With the popularity of events like the UFC, it’s really easy to get wrapped up in the idea of not only training No-Gi Submission Wrestling, but avoiding training with the GI since you may want to compete in No Gi or MMA competition. Well I have 5 great reasons to training with the Gi, even if you will never plan on competing in a Gi tournament.

It Slows Down Your Partner – The Gi is a great training tool. It helps us slow movements down so we can see what is happening…WHILE IT HAPPENS. This is super important for Beginners and when learning new moves. It gives you time to understand what is happening and adapt while you get a better “Feel” for the situation.
Your Escapes Get Better – When training with a Gi there are many places your partner can grab, there is more friction, his transitions are tighter etc. The Gi forces your movements to be more refined (accuracy, timing, angles), as escaping is much more difficult. However, once you have mastered the escapes, there is NO WAY he can hold you down in without the Gi. Sweat increases movement and lack of better grips allow for more freedom and range of motion.
More Brain, Less Attributes – With Gi grappling, there is more focus on timing and pressure. That is important. Your window of opportunity with the Gi on lasts much longer, giving you time to answer your partners attack or defense. In No Gi you need to react much faster, if you are too late to react it forces you to rely on your attributes (Speed, Strength, Flexibility, mobility etc.). By eliminating your attributes until they are absolutely necessary you will be able to develop the technical side of BJJ. Invest in a game that you can play for the next 40 years, not just while you are in your prime.
You’ll Develop a Choke Proof Neck – Most No Gi guys tend to not want to wear the Gi because they fear the chokes (and the lack of movement). Although you will get choked alot, and I mean ALOT, more with the Gi, it does condition your neck, just like strikers condition their shins and fists. Also, it is much easier to get choked with a Gi because the size of the Gi itself is small. This builds awareness of your neck so it is not exposed whether you train Gi or No Gi that day.
It Encourages Creativity – There are so many ways you can use your Gi, your opponent’s Gi, Belts, Grips etc. The possibilities seem endless. New positions, transitions and submissions are being discovered and rediscovered all the time. Wearing the Gi encourages you to think outside the box and explore what is out there.

There you have it guys, 5 simple reasons why you should be rocking the GI. Plus, you have so much more space to deck it out with patches when you get those sponsors knocking at your door. A couple other side benefits: hygiene, looks cool, and one day you could be a Black Belt.

Come down to Arashi Do and try out one of our great Brazilian programs like Fundamental BJJ, Women’s Only BJJ or Children’s BJJ for ages 4-7 and 8-14. All those and you get a 30 DAY FREE TRIAL! What are you waiting for? Call or text us at 780-220-5425 or email us at myackulic@ArashiDo.com