BJJ and Personal Boundaries

Posted on December 29, 2014 by myackulic

Enforcing personal boundaries can be difficult to do, especially if you’re really empathetic. If you’re prone to giving any situation the benefit of the doubt and insist on demonstrating basic decency at every turn then enforcing your personal boundaries may prove to be a bit difficult. Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ) is a about contact sports where grappling and holding on to your opponent is the main part of the learning process.

This doesn’t mean that you should be unhelpful during training sessions! It means that sometimes there are things that you need to do to let others know where to draw the line. Sympathy and optimistic human behaviors are not always mutually exclusive. There are three things you need to keep in mind to ensure that you enforce personal boundaries in your BJJ gym class.

1: Take Your Time Before You Act

If you have been asked by someone to do something and it doesn’t sit right with you then don’t agree or disagree at that moment. Take your time even if you don’t know how you feel about it. If the person doesn’t sit right with you then you don’t have to agree do what they say. If you say ‘no’ and the person keeps insisting then inform your coach to take viable action.

There are times when someone after class might come up to you and ask whether you could finance their classes because they don’t have the funds anymore. Don’t over-explain or anything, just say that you will consider what he/she said for a day or two. This will give you time to think it through as you won’t feel influenced or pressured.

2: Learn to Say ‘NO!’

It is understandable to give in to someone pestering you and influencing your empathetic side. You give in, thinking that if you help him/her this once then perhaps they will leave you alone. However that turns out to be false as now you are constantly being nagged by that very person for help. You wonder if it would have been better if you had just kept on saying ‘no!’

In fact, it would have been better if you had kept on saying no! The word ‘no!’ is a complete sentence and anyone who refuses to respect your decision is only trying to assert their control over you and the situation. To put it simply, anyone who refuses to take a ‘no’ is the very person who needs to be required to do so.

3: Let Yourself Change Your Mind

Even the most alert person can be caught off-guard and end up agreeing to something that you actually would never agree to. You need to let yourself have second thoughts. It is the worse feeling to think that you are stuck with something, making you feel even more violated. You need to let yourself change your mind.

If a fellow BJJ practitioner asks you to do something out of the blue and you agreed to do that at the moment then remember that all it takes is one sentence to reverse that regretful decision. Repetition is your friend, as stated in the previous point; learn to say ‘no’ repeatedly.

Learn 5 Self Defense Moves you can do today

At Arashi Do Martial Arts in Edmonton, we help our members evolve both athletically and ethically. We ensure that personal boundaries are respected and no one oversteps their limits.

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!

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.

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!

Top 5 Reasons To Date a BJJ Guy

Posted on March 7, 2014 by myackulic

It’s no secret that girls love guys who are tough, strong and got the moves. These moves don’t just have to be for dancing for romancing however; if a guy knows Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) then you know he is going to be different than other guys. Here are five reasons why you would love dating a BJJ guy.

1: They are Health Conscious

BJJ involves a lot of cross training, unlike other sports that focus on just one aspect. Even though BJJ gets the guys in shape, they know they have to incorporate other fitness techniques to supplement their training. It can be jogging, weightlifting or any other sport to complement their BJJ. They are always conscious about what they eat and train hard to improve themselves. Rest assured, your guy will be in good shape and probably stay that way.

2: Motivationally Strong

People have a hard time finding it in themselves to say no to junk food and work out on a regular basis. If you have difficulty motivating yourself then you can count on your BJJ practicing boyfriend to help you. He will motivate you and help you make the effort to overcome any weakness you may have. Just by being together, you will immerse yourself in to the BJJ way of life.

3: They’ve Got the Moves

Girls love a man who can dance to the beats and find nothing more attractive than a guy who knows his hip movements. That what most dances require, the perfect hips for the perfect moves. If you want to have your guy salsa dance for you then make no mistake, he will move like nothing you have ever seen. Let’s just say that you will find a BJJ guy’s hip training very useful!

4: Tougher than Any Man

If you want to date an alpha male (why wouldn’t you?) then look no further, BJJ guys are the real alpha males of Edmonton or any other city. BJJ guys are low-key and confident. They don’t go about kicking and smashing anyone that tries to bad-talk them because most of the time those guys are trying to compensate for something they don’t have. But when it comes down to the real deal, your Jiu Jitsu guy will defend his woman.

5: More Confident than Others

BJJ guys are not confident because they are tougher than most guys out there, it’s because they have trained hard on the mats of their gym and come up on top. All the trials they had to overcome can be applied to everyday life whether it is work ethics or being humble towards others. If you’re a girl that loves confidence and humility at the same time in your guy, then a BJJ guy is the one you should date.

You can even do some Brazilian Jiu Jitsu yourself at Arashi Do Martial Arts in North Edmonton. Our fun and experienced BJJ instructors will ensure that you learn the amazing ways that can make you tougher than any guy you know.

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!

Top Ten Reasons to Join Arashi Do BJJ (Part 1)

Posted on March 6, 2013 by myackulic

Ok, you might not need any reasons to begin training in BJJ, but I’m going to give you 10 Great reasons for those living in Edmonton to do BJJ at Arashi Do Martial Arts.

1. Simple and safe Self Defence for all ages and sizes – We have a heavy focus on Self Defence for all our students. Not interested in Self Defence but more in Sport? Did you know the whole reason for for sport competitions was the idea of testing the effectiveness of one’s ability to Defend themselves? 90% of the Self Defence we cover at the White Belt Level is Sport Applicable.

2. Build real, unshakeable confidence in yourself – Children and Adults alike have benefited from the Valuable Life Skills we teach in Class. Our Instructors will help you achieve you personal goals using Martial Arts as a method of reaching them. Confidence is easily built by stepping outside your comfort zone and exceeding what you believed was possible and our Instructors are great at getting you there.

3. We have Edmonton’s Longest running BJJ Program – Professor Mike started grappling in 1997 and begin teaching Grappling in 2000 and BJJ in 2002, making this BJJ program not only the longest, but making him the Instructor with the most hours of Instructing on the mats. Add in the variety of Children’s Classes, Intermediate Level Classes, Self Defence Classes and Women’s Only Classes and you have Edmonton’s Most Experienced BJJ Instructor.

4.A variety of classes for the hobbyist or competitor – We offer classes for those interested in Self Defence and those interested in Sport. Either way, we make sure that ever class has you sweating, smiling and learning. Every class will have other students with the same or similar goals to partner up with.

5. Learn how to deal with confrontations verbally and physically – In our BJJ classes we teach you not only the physical skills to apply in Self Defence situations but the verbal skills to either defuse the situations or buy some time and set up your defence. Training your verbal skills also forces you to be more aware of your surroundings, something incredibly important for Self Defence.

Stay tuned for part 2 with five more great reasons.