Special guest, Larry Shealy!

Hey everyone, good news! We’re going to have an Instructor Certification Course later this month. If you are an instructor, an assistant instructor, or just want to be an instructor eventually, you’re exactly who we want to help. Teaching Jiu Jitsu takes a certain set of skills that need to be just as developed as your skills on the mat.

We’re holding it over a three day period, June 25, 26, and 27th. It will be two full days of instruction on Friday and Saturday, then a partial day on Sunday followed by graduation and certification.  It will be at the USA Jiu Jitsu National Training Center, 7841 Rolling Road,Suite D. Springfield, VA 22153.

As a special bonus, we’ll be having a guest instructor, Larry Shealy! Larry has been a member of USAJJ nearly from the get go, and is renown for his involvement in th Jiu Jitsu community. He is also a black belt, and a member of the Black Belt Council.

In 2003, Larry began developing the “Kid-Jitsu®” program along with the “Kid-Jitsu® Values Program”. This trademark registered program teaches children the fundamentals of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, while weaving targeted values into each lesson within the “Kid-Jitsu®” Children’s Curriculum.

So come down to the NTC and learn proper techniques for teaching Jiu Jitsu to other people. It’s guaranteed to be fun, and it will help you become a better teacher. Register online or call the NTC to reserve your spot now. Cost is free to member schools for the primary instructor, $175.00 for individual members, $250.00 for non-members.

Robert Drysdale Talks To Usa Jiu Jitsu

Robert Drysdale is going to do an interview with USAJJ National Director Chris Stolzman! This is an exciting opportunity for USAJJ.

Brazilian-American Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Robert Drysdale has been training and competing in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since 1998. Robert was born in the USA and then moved to Brazil with his family at the age of 6. As a teenager Robert returned to the USA to attend college in Las Vegas. There he began training with the Lewis-Pederneiras (Nova Uniao) association. It was quickly evident that Drysdale was a natural at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It was during that time in Las Vegas that Robert decided he would dedicate himself fully to the training, competing, and teaching the art of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.

Robert returned to Brazil in 2000 where he lived until 2008. During that 8 year period Robert Drysdale owned and operated a Jiu-Jitsu Academy in the town of Itu, Sao Paulo, Brazil. While in Sao Paulo Robert trained with the Maromba Club and later with team Brasa Jiu-Jitsu Club. His personal commitment to teaching, training, and competing at the sports highest level was absolute. He trained several times per week with his fellow teammates at Brasa Jiu-jitsu club headquartered in downtown Sao Paulo, Brazil. This elite team of world-class Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighters is composed of some of the best black belts in the world. It was at Brasa in 2004 Robert received his black belt from Leo Viera. In 2008 Robert relocated to the USA and is currently teaching and training in the city of Las Vegas, Nevada. Also, USAJJ is honored to have Robert Drysdale on the Black Belt Council.

This is going to be a comprehensive interview, and it’s exclusively with USA Jiu Jitsu.

So check back soon to see it. It’s going to be great!

GM Flavio Behring & Chris Stolzman at KnuckleUp Atlanta

On January 24th and 25th, “Papa” John Gorman and Chris Stolzman attended a seminar held at USAJJ affiliate KnuckleUp Fitness Atlanta featuring Grand Master Flavio Behring.

Flavio Behring is a 9th degree Red Belt in Jiu Jitsu, a rank he achieved under GrandMaster Helio Gracie himself. He shares that in common with the other three Grandmasters members of the Red Belt Council.

Grandmaster Behring started practicing Jiu Jitsu in 1947 at the age of 10. Training under the tutelage of Helio Gracie, Grandmaster Behring battled childhood illness and at 14 was chosen by Carlos Gracie to represent the school in an international match.

Grandmaster Behring has done technical demonstrations at universities, the Naval Academy in Annapolis and for the FBI to name a few.

Grandmaster Behring has also studied Judo extensively to further strengthen the potential of Jiu Jitsu. In November of 2009, Grandmaster Behring was made a member of the International Red Belt Council, cementing his place at the forefront of the Jiu Jitsu community.

GM Behring and some of the attendees at KnuckleUp Fitness Atlanta

The seminar was a resounding success. Over 100 people attended; it was a full house.

Papa John was honored to provide the introduction for Grandmaster Behring and spoke about the need for strong leadership and how the masters and grandmasters are an integral part of the sport. Grandmaster Behring then talked about the fundamentals of Jiu Jitsu. He demonstrated the specifics of chokes and why they are misunderstood, and also discussed arm bars.

Afterwards, Papa John was able to sit and speak with Grandmaster Behring about the future of the sport, Olympic participation and the role of USAJJ in these endeavors. Hopefully their conversation will lead to new and exciting things in the near future.

If you missed this opportunity to learn from Grandmaster Flavio Behring in Georgia, make sure you see his son Master Sylvio Behring at the NTC in Washington D.C. Master Sylvio Behring is president of the International Black Belt Council and this is a learning experience you shouldn’t miss.

(rss readers: click here and watch the JJI press release video)

As we’ve published here before, jiu jitsu international is now official – but this is the video shot by Brazilian reporters that we edited to show the actual historic moments.

On the video you’ll see JJI’s executive director “Papa” John Gorman, along with the President of the World Black Belt Council Sylvio Behring, and on the table, 3 of the 4 grandmaster that make up JJI’s governing body, the Red Belt Council:

Grandmaster Alvaro Barreto, Grandmaster Joao Alvaro Barreto, and Grandmaster Flavio Behring.

You can learn more about their life-long dedication to the sport on the jiu jitsu international website.

Help us spread the message by sharing this video with your friends on twitter, facebook, digg, and over email.

And you can support our Olympic goals by becoming a member of USAJJ as a student or school.

Thank you!