During my visit to Gracie Barra BJJ in Paris, I was impressed by the school’s blend of professionalism, technical instruction, and welcoming atmosphere. Gracie Barra has several campuses spread throughout the city, making it convenient to find a class no matter where you are staying. I attended the HQ location, situated within a moderate walking Continue Reading
I learned I would be in Brazil to speak and conduct a workshop at the University of São Paulo for a week in July, just over a month before landing there. As I had little time to prepare for what would be mashed into a working vacation, I did little research into my BJJ exploration Continue Reading
By the time I got to Naples, I was exhausted from BJJ training in Portugal and Spain but still eager to try a class in Italy. I decided to walk the four mile hump to an evening class, after finishing up a 3.5 hour walking tour of Napoli. The route to class seemed a straight Continue Reading
It was after returning home 10 years ago from a trip to Pamplona to attend the San Fermin festival’s run with the bulls that I decided to take a BJJ class with my son and hence initiate my love for the sport. So after running with the bulls again this past year, but with my now Continue Reading
Lisbon, Portugal was originally an eight hour layover on my way to Spain. I identified a couple of BJJ schools close to the airport, that offered an opportunity to train since I was going to try to catch some site seeing between flights. Because of my timing in the city I booked an inexpensive Airbnb Continue Reading
How else could I make a recent relaxing getaway to Colonial Williamsburg, VA, known for its serene walkways through historic towns, ferries along the James River, and cozy pancake shops, uncomfortable better than by visiting a BJJ school? Well, I still enjoyed the strolls through history, ate an obscene amount of pancakes, and got in Continue Reading
My brother and I decided to meet up this summer for yoga, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, comparing life’s notes, and beer. I immediately turned to some BJJ schools I wanted to visit before the pandemic quarantine and found a few had either closed or relocated out of town without notice. A school closing is sad for the Continue Reading
When I was a kid, a popular television show aired about a community bar in Boston, “where everyone knew your name.” The show’s name was “Cheers,” and I can’t remember the bar’s name, but it might as well have been called Westside Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy. Do your soul and Jiu-Jitsu practice a huge favor, and stop Continue Reading
I visited Impact Martial Arts School in Virginia Beach, VA for a BJJ camp. It was a two day BJJ seminar for five hours each day and conducted by five black belts who were led by Prof. David Carlos. I got there a little late because I was driving from 4 hours away…and well… I’m usually running late. Continue Reading
First Glance – I visited Pedro Sauer BJJ Academy because he’s a BJJ legend (a coral belt) and he lives in my back yard….not chained to a tree but in my community. His school is in an office park in Herndon, VA, which is good because this school is all about business. It didn’t take Continue Reading