What are the benefits of training with us at New York Jiu Jitsu?

Now, have peace of mind...

Now you can learn self-protection in a safe, educational atmosphere with other people just like you - people who want to improve their fitness while learning the valuable skills of self-protection.

What we teach you could save your life...

Everything we teach at New York Jiu Jitsu is reality-based. Our instructors work very hard to insure that most any situation you might encounter is covered in the classroom under very safe learning conditions, so you will be prepared.

It's always best if you can avoid a confrontation. However, should you ever have to protect yourself, we can make the difference.

Our workouts are a great way to get in shape...

Our classes are like an exercise program with a bonus! You learn to defend yourself while you get in shape.

Also, unlike some aerobics classes, you never feel out of place because everyone works at their own pace.

We know most people have never taken a martial arts class and that is no problem. Our instructors are patient, professional and totally committed to your progress.

When you feel good, you project a higher level of confidence and that's key to effective self-protection.

Our classroom practice sessions give you confidence...

Nothing can replace the secure feeling of knowing that you can defend yourself if you have to.

For younger students, knowing that they can handle themselves in a tight situation at school can make a huge difference in their success as students.

Kids today may encounter high levels of violence and peer pressure. Fear and anxiety can eat up a young person.

We relieve that stress and give them the confidence to avoid and, if need be, handle a confrontation.

Our classes relieve stress...

The neat thing about our classes is that people say it's like a mini-vacation twice a week.

When you're in a class, your troubles and worries seem a million miles away. Everyone needs a distraction now and then; it actually makes us more productive.

Our program is a lot of fun...

In the movies, martial arts is portrayed as a tough, roughneck activity. There are local schools that teach like that. We don't.

In fact, the reason our program is so successful is because we make the classes fun. You see, we learned a long time ago that if people are having fun, they learn much faster. That is especially true for children.

Our Class Schedule...

We run up to five Introductory Course for new students each month, including our Introduction to American Jiu Jitsu, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Fundamentals Course and Women's Intensive Course. These sessions are offered at various times during the evening.

In addition to our Introductory Course, we offer over 40 other adult classes and 14 children's classes every week. Our classes can fit even the busiest New Yorker's schedule.

How You Can Get Involved...

The best way to experience Jiu-Jitsu for yourself is to schedule a free trial week. New York Jiu Jitsu offers trial lessons where you will be introduced to your first Jiu-Jitsu techniques. This week will include three free lessons, one in each of our class types:

- American Jiu Jitsu - A self-defense style that is primarily stand-up jiu jitsu with a strong emphasis on ground defense.

- Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - A grappling-centered martial art that's aim is to gain a dominant position over your opponent and cause them to submit through the use of joint locks and chokeholds.

- Conditioning - A "fighter's- type" workout to improve stamina, strength, coordination, and physique.

If you've never studied martial arts before, don't worry. Our instructors' primary concern is for your safety and you will never be asked to do anything beyond your ability level. Trial Lessons are fun, educational, and a great way to see how Jiu-Jitsu can improve your confidence as well as your fitness level.

How is American Jiu Jitsu better than other martial arts?

It isn't. No martial art is 'better' than another! Each person must find their own favorite art. Anyone who claims that one martial art is truly superior to another martial art is not a true martial artist. Anyone who studies an art in the hopes of becoming skillful in that art and does so with their full heart and spirit is truly an amazing individual. American Jiu Jitsu focuses on self defense. If you are interested in learning self defense, then American Jiu Jitsu may be for you. However, we always suggest that you look at all your options ... there are lots of them... to make sure you find the environment, the art, and the people that you want to learn with and from.

Is Jiu Jitsu useful in defending against rape?

Yes. Absolutely!

Does New York Jiu Jitsu teach rape defense as well?

We teach self defense. Rape defense is a subset of self-defense. The ground defense that we teach is geared towards attackers who are bigger and stronger than us. We focus on effective techniques rather than our own physical strength in defending ourselves. With this, it enables women to be extremely effective on the ground regardless of their attacker's size in respect to their own. In addition to the techniques in our curriculum, the New York Jiu Jitsu school offers FREE Rape Prevention Seminars monthly. Please email us if you would like to be updated with our next Seminar. If need be, we would happily offer these seminars more often, just ask.

Can I just come and watch?

Absolutely! However, it will be tremendously more fun and informative to take off your shoes and hop on the mat to practice with us. We will always invite you to train with us (yes, even on your first day). We are a fun group... we don't have lots of formalism, so please come, watch, and if you find the spirits willing, partake. Also, feel free to sign up for our Introductory Package which will give you great insight into our school.

I hear that some martial arts are very strict and heavy into discipline - how strict are you?

You are mature enough to know what is and is not appropriate behavior. As a new student, we do not want you to worry too much about formalities. You will learn what is expected of a student, in terms of behavior, attitude and aptitude with time. We are here to learn and have fun - and that is what we expect of you.

What makes New York Jiu Jitsu different from other Jiu Jitsu schools?

This is a fairly difficult question to address thoroughly. There are LOTS of Jiu Jitsu schools out there. Some focus on self defense, some don't. It is easier to say what we do than to tell you what other organizations don't do. We practice self-defense... this means we will do whatever necessary to defend ourselves (strikes, kicks, chokes, lockups, throws, sweeps, blocks, weapons, weapon defense, arnis, etc...).

How long will it take for me to earn my black belt?

Before I answer this question, I should say a couple things. Many people see the attainment of the black belt as the highest degree of mastery in a martial art. Many see the black belt as their final goal. I would counter by saying that your black belt signifies your true start as a student, that the attainment of a black belt is just the beginning of your training. The path to attaining a black belt, and indeed the path beyond, is what is most important (otherwise, you could just go out and buy a black belt... they cost about $4 at a martial arts supply store). Having said that, having such a goal is still important, and it can take as little as 4 years (intense training) to obtain. But normally it takes between 4.5-7 years to earn your shodan (1st degree black belt) in the American Jiu Jitsu system. Having a black belt signifies more than just your skill as a martial artist, but as a trustworthy, reliable friend to the school, to the art and to the community. It signifies that you are a teacher, a mentor, and even more a STUDENT, and have earned the respect of all your colleagues through your demonstrated respect for them.

I have rank in Jiu Jitsu (or Jujutsu, Jujitsu, Aiki-jitsu, Aiki-jujutsu, or another jitsu / jutsu), can my current rank transfer to the New York Jiu Jitsu school when I join?

We accept rank from any American Jiu Jitsu Federation school. However, it is fairly rare that there is a direct transfer of rank from another form of Jiu Jitsu (jujutsu) to ours. At the same time, we recognize the knowledge and expertise you have gained from the other schools in which you have practiced. This may mean swifter belt promotions, but it also means emptying your cup (being able to have an open mind and accept different approaches to techniques you may have already learned). As an example, one of our best students at the MIT Jiu Jitsu school has a 2nd degree blackbelt in another form of jujutsu, and a 4th degree black belt in a similar art, but he is a green belt in American Jiu Jitsu. We recognize his vast expertise, and amazing abilities, but at the same time he is a student and quite willing to "empty his cup."

I have no rank, nor have I ever done a martial art before, what can I expect?

Fun. A friendly environment. A non-confrontational approach to learning. A hands-on, interactive self-defense learning experience.

Should I take group or private lessons?

Group and private lessons can both be important parts of your development as a martial artist. Group lessons are crucial because they allow you to see how different people react to situations and techniques. You also learn from the questions other students ask and you get to meet new people and friends. Private instruction is designed to supplement your training. The personalized attention and energy of an instructor during a private lesson is a tremendous advantage.The best of both worlds is a personalized program that offers you both group and private lessons. This is why New York Jiu Jitsu offers a FREE 20 minute private session per month to each of its students. Additional private lessons are available by appointment.

I am looking for a Navy SEAL level of physical fitness training. Will I get it with Jiu Jitsu?

We are not here to give you a heart-grinding, blood, sweat, and tears workout! We do work out, but that is not our primary focus. Our focus is self-defense.

I hear that Jiu Jitsu involves lots of ground work. How can that be a good self defense?

We do learn how to defend ourselves from the ground (ground fighting)... but the mainstay of our art is stand-up techniques! For a single attacker, ground fighting can be advantageous. For a multiple attacker scenario, being on the ground increases the chances of your defeat. Though the background of our style of Jiu Jitsu is the same as Brazilian JiuJitsu, we do not focus on ground-grappling techniques as intensely as our Jiu Jitsu cousins from Brazil.

What will I learn from the first class?

How to defend yourself.

How long does it take to master Jiu Jitsu?

A lifetime.

I've heard that traditional martial arts have no place in street survival and self defense...are you 'traditional' martial artists?

Yes and no. We still use a lot of traditional techniques (nearly 2000 years of refinement can't be all wrong). At the same time, many of those 'traditional' techniques have been modified to be more effective in a modern street defense environment. Strikes, locks, chokes, throws, gouging ... we use whichever weapons and techniques necessary to ensure that we and our loved ones remain safe and unharmed.

What is a Martial Art?

A martial art, to paraphrase Mr. Webster, is "any of several arts of combat and self-defense..." More specifically, a martial art is any composite of method, technique, philosophy, and ideology that defines a system of physical and mental training for the purpose of combat, self defense and/or peace. Mr. Webster mentions "for sport." But, Mr. Webster (well, at least his etymologist) was obviously not a martial artist. A martial art can be sport... but I just see that as a subset of peace.

You know, I really like Jiu Jitsu, but I want to practice other martial arts as well... are there any you can recommend?

Try them all. Martial arts that are most similar to Jiu Jitsu include: Judo, Aikido, Hapkido, Aiki-Jutsu; others are Karate, Goju, Kung-Fu, Wing-Chun, Mui-Tai, etc.

Do you spar in Jiu Jitsu?

Yes and no. We practice *PRACTICAL* self-defense... many of the methods we practice would cause an attacker serious physical harm if it were to be done full-force (bones might break, joints would disjoint, and our attacker would likely lose consciousness or possibly worse). However, we do practice with each other in a way that gets us as close to an attack scenario as possible without risking permanent injury to one another. We also grapple for real, but do not throw connecting strikes while we practice. So, if you ask: "Do you spar?," I would say what we do is a mixture of sparing, situational awareness, and scenario generation.

Do you break boards in Jiu Jitsu (how many)?

If you want (as many as you want). However, we do not make it a point to break boards. (If you do break boards, please recycle them afterwards.)

I am not sure that I can spare enough time in my schedule to practice Jiu Jitsu... what are your thoughts?

While we offer over 40 classes per week, it is not required that students attend all classes. We suggest that you come to at least 2 classes per week if you want to make satisfying progress. While we do offer students to train up to 6 one hour classes per week, we feel that 2 hours per week is sufficient for a student to develop in the art while not taking away from the rest of their daily tasks. Of course, if you can... come to as many practices as you can safely and comfortably attend.

What types of weapons do you practice with (and against)?

We practice to defend ourselves against knives (we use rubber or wooden knives... no real weapons are allowed on the mat) and to defend against an attacker with a handgun (we use imitation wooden ones in class). We also learn to defend from and use *any* impact weapon. We do this by using wood escrima (sticks). Such sticks can represent any blunt, extended weapon -- anything from an umbrella to a baseball bat to a crowbar.

I hear that Jiu Jitsu relies solely on ancient throws and joint locks... how can that be street effective?

That is a common misconception. We 'rely' on anything that is effective in stopping an attacker. This ranges from all sorts of strikes, throws, joint locks, and chokes; anything you can find that can stop an attacker (like a hot cup of coffee, a pen, dirt in the eyes, ... etc.) We teach the same type of material that you would learn in advanced armed and unarmed combat courses in the military and in advanced police training.

How many instructors do you have?

Currently, we have 8 certified Black Belt instructors sharing their knowledge with students.

How often do you have seminars?

We average 6 in-house seminars per year and we offer various other seminars with visiting instructors including O'Sensei Joseph Puleio the founder of our system of American Jiu Jitsu Self Defense. Seminars are an excellent opportunity to learn new skills, perfect old ones, and see and hear a different perspective in the martial arts.

How much of Jiu Jitsu is 'mental' vs 'physical'?

Much of what is learned for the lower Jiu Jitsu belt ranks would be classified as physical techniques (but not all!). Before we teach you how to reliably and confidently defend against an attack with just your voice and your attackers' perception of you, you must learn how to physically disable an attacker. You will learn ways to control an attacker using your wits over your brawn continuously during your Jiu Jitsu education. As you progress toward the higher belt ranks, approaching your shodan, you will learn that the physical aspects of the art and the mental aspects of the art are indeed one and the same -- they can not be separated into such well-defined categories.

I am a bit hesitant to start a martial art. I am not an aggressive person and it all seems very intimidating. Do you have any words of advice?

Try not to be intimidated. Most any martial artist, and almost every dojo will welcome you to come and watch their practice. We are certainly no exception. Come to some of our practices to see if you like the environment. Make sure you feel comfortable in the environment... if you don't feel comfortable, move on to another martial art or another dojo until you find one you like. Of course, any new situation will create a little intimidation. Every new environment creates a little consternation and little anxiety... don't worry, you will soon overcome it and become a better person for it. There is no NEED for an aggressive personality to study martial arts. Here at New York Jiu Jitsu we try to develop as non-confrontational students as we can, though you will learn how to defend yourself effectively if an attacker tries to harm you.

I am looking for a fight club, so that I can prove myself and become king of the world... is Jiu Jitsu a good place to start?

No. Do not set foot in our dojo if these are your intentions. You will be disappointed. Our purpose is to teach people how to defend themselves, NOT HOW TO FIGHT.

Is there any way you can accomodate people with disabilities in your class?

Absolutely! We will accommodate everyone as best we can. We will adapt techniques to emphasize your abilities, and help ensure you prosper as a Jujutsoka (one who practices Jiu Jitsu). If you have a disability, please let one of the instructors know. Let them know of any physical limitations you might have. Safety is our primary concern, so let an instructor know before class starts so that we can ensure your safety.

I have a medical condition - like asthma. Should I take Jiu Jitsu?

This is not a simple question to answer. Check with your doctor before taking Jiu Jitsu. Many of our students have asthma to varying degrees of severity, but are able to control it through knowing their own limits and the use of an inhaler. Never work out at any Martial Arts school without notifying an instructor of ANY medical condition (this includes asthma, strains, sprains, recurring dislocations, broken bones, a deviated septum, respiratory problems, sickness, infection, muscle spasms, heart or circulation problems, scrapes, large bruises, cuts, open wounds, dizziness, a history of shock or convulsion, loose teeth, ...etc.) It is rare that we will exclude someone from practice due to a medical condition (we may ask for a doctor's note, we may have you rest for a couple days, etc...).

Safety is our number one priority...both for you and the members of the school. If you do not feel like talking to us about your medical condition before class, go ahead and e-mail the instructor or call beforehand.

What type of safety precautions are taken while practicing Jiu Jitsu?

The main job of all the instructors is safety... second is to make sure students enjoy their experience... and third is to teach. Without safety and without a friendly environment, who would want to learn -- or rather, who could learn effectively? To ensure safety, all students are closely supervised by qualified instructors. Students learn very early how to fall without getting hurt, how to 'tap' to ensure that their training partners know when to stop a technique, and how to read the intentions of their own bodies. We require that students tell the instructors about any medical conditions which could adversely affect their training (or the training of other students). We require that students clean their uniforms regularly and maintain good hygiene. The New York Jiu Jitsu school maintains a thorough first aid kit, though we have no problem with calling 911 for quick response in case of an emergency. In addition, our instructors are certified by the Red Cross in Standard First Aid and Adult CPR/AED. We have an extremely good safety record. But, like any low-contact sport, occasionally minor injuries may occur (strains, sprains, etc...).