The True Martial Art Code in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: A Balanced Perspective
In the dynamic and diverse world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), the essence of martial arts often seems overshadowed by the pursuit of technical mastery and competitive success. While these aspects are undeniably important, there is a deeper layer to BJJ that revolves around the martial art code—principles that shape not…
Embracing the Challenges of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: A Journey Towards Self-Improvement
As someone deeply entrenched in the world of martial arts, particularly Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), I can attest to its transformative power. With a lifetime of experience and the privilege of training elite soldiers, I’ve witnessed firsthand how BJJ serves as a cornerstone for self-defense skills and confidence building. However,…
Building Lil’ Warriors: The Benefits of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) for 3-5 Year Olds
As a kids’ instructor in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative power of this martial art for children aged 3 to 5 years old. It’s not about creating world champions or prodigies at this young age; rather, it’s about nurturing their development in a fun and engaging way.…
Are You Uncoachable? Insights from a BJJ Coach
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is an intricate martial art requiring dedication and perseverance. As a BJJ coach, I’ve witnessed countless students transform through disciplined training and active listening. Yet, it’s disheartening when athletes become uncoachable, hindering their progress in the sport. Being coachable in BJJ transcends beyond physical training. It’s about a…
Evolving Goals: A Reflection on My Jiu Jitsu Journey
As I sit down to reflect on my journey in the world of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, I am struck by the evolution of my goals over the years. Each decade has brought its own set of challenges, triumphs, and transformations, molding me into the person I am today. In my…
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Journey: Why No Self-Defense?
Hello, my name is Ray Casias and I am a practitioner of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and have been since 1997. As someone who has dedicated a significant amount of my life to training this martial art, I have come to realize that there is a common oversight in many Brazilian Jiu Jitsu…
The Continuous Evolution of a Black Belt: A Personal Reflection
As someone deeply entrenched in the world of martial arts, particularly as a black belt, I’ve come to realize that the journey doesn’t end with achieving this coveted rank. In fact, it’s merely the beginning of a lifelong pursuit of growth, learning, and self-improvement. One of the fundamental principles I…
The Fall of Men in Today’s World: A Warrior’s Reflection
As a father of two children and a lifelong warrior, I’ve witnessed firsthand the erosion of fundamental values that once defined manhood. In today’s society, the pillars of integrity, masculinity, honor, love of family, pride in country, leadership, fatherhood, accountability, compassion, and devotion to God are crumbling under the weight…
“Empower Success: Jiu-Jitsu Journey 2024”
Hey Team, As we step into 2024, I want to express my gratitude to each one of you for being a part of this journey with me. Teaching jiu-jitsu has been a real blessing, and I don’t take it lightly. Back in 2009, when I started this gym, times were…
Conquering Fear: The First Step to Starting Jiu Jitsu
Embarking on the journey of learning Jiu Jitsu is a transformative experience that goes beyond physical training. In this blog post, I’ll delve into what it takes to start Jiu Jitsu, sharing my personal opinions and observations. One crucial element that stands out is fear, a universal emotion that impacts…