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Student of the Week Amberlynne VanDusen

Student of the Week Amberlynne VanDusen

This weeks Student of the Week is Amberlynne VanDusen she is a Graduate Student at East Carolina University, and receiving her Masters of Science in Environmental Health next month. She just recently received her Blue Belt in Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. And have taken to the Jiu-Jitsu Lifestyle. There are very few days in the week she does’t make it to the academy to train.Here is what she had to say about training with us.

“Learning a self-defense martial art had been on the “to-do” list for some time. Growing up I watched my brother train in karate, where he learned a lot of rote forms, but fewer flexible, practical techniques. Sparring in his classes was saved for special occasions and the sparring was what interested me. I wanted the ability and confidence to practically defend myself in an altercation. So, I signed up for a handful of various women’s self-defense classes, only to find that they focused on textbook material and spent more time talking about, rather than engaging in the techniques. Moreover, instructors never offered a satisfying answer to my concern about a confrontation being taken to the ground, as if this wasn’t a realistic possibility. From karate to women’s classes, none seemed to both address realistic situations and still be fun.”

“Fast-forward to spring 2013, I happened by the All-American Martial Arts Academy in Greenville, NC. On a whim, I showed up to a try a class in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I had no clue that I’d get hooked on such an enjoyable, practical, and accessible self-defense art. I was warmly welcomed to the mats, outfitted with a GI, and included in all class activities. It was phenomenal; not only did Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu exceed everything I was looking for in a self-defense martial art, but the family-run gym is what really sealed the deal. The atmosphere I have experienced at All-American Martial Arts Academy is friendly, relaxed, and focused on learning what really works. Toward the end of every class, there is an opportunity to roll, which I would equate to as “ground sparring.” It is the time to apply the techniques, find out they really work, and have a ton of active fun. It is a satisfying workout and significantly more enjoyable than traditional exercising. True, at just 5ft, I’m typically the smallest on the mat, but this has only allowed me to be more focused on the technique; because unlike my training partner, I’m unlikely to muscle my way through a move. As such, I’m more confident in what I’m learning at All-American Martial Arts Academy because it really works. My one regret? That I didn’t start training sooner…”

 

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When should my child start training?

When should my child start training?

I get this question a lot, sometimes someone will call me and I say “How Old is your child?” I will get some answers like they are 18 months old. Well I don’t know your child but in an organized class for children, that is too young. In my opinion. Maybe you as a parent should train, and pass down your legacy to them? But that is another story all together.

I have trained many children over the years, some was ready younger, some was not ready older. It really depends on your child. But a good rule of thumb a child that is 5 to 6 is old enough to start in an organized 50-60 minute class.

Now I know my daughter started training before she was 3 years old, but my son started when he was 6. I maybe would have started him out before that, but we didn’t have any options at that time 14 years ago.

But keep this is mind, when you are trying to get a child to start training under 5, keep a realistic attitude on it. I think a 3 year old should be only expected to stay focused on an organized class for 30 minutes, 4 year old maybe 40 minutes. And so on. And be happy if you get a few minutes more. But don’t pressure too much.

Think of it like this, I have been told if you are using “Time Out” for your child as a discipline. The max for a 3 year old would be 3 minutes, and four year old would be 4 minutes, and so on. So why would you expect you child to stay interested in any activity more than 10 times a “Time Out”

Even when they get older keep everything in perspective, remember when my son was young and I went to a seminar and the Children’s seminar was before the adult seminar. I was getting up set during the adult seminar because my son and few of the other children wasn’t being perfect bystanders on the side lines. Royce Gracie told me “James let the Kid’s Play, This has to be fun for them”

Good lesson to learn.

And I learn them every day.

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When-should-children-start-training-smile

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Student of the Week Brandon Gorman

Student of the Week Brandon Gorman

This weeks Student of the week is Brandon Gorman. He is a dedicated father and husband. Both Brandon and his wife are college professors, Brandon at UNC chapel Hill and his wife at East Carolina University. Here is what he had to say about training with us.

“My favorite thing about training at GAMMA has to be the people. The coaching is excellent, and all of the instructors are patient and thorough. They are the perfect blend of tough and flexible. The other students are also great – I think it’s rare to find serious fighters helping novices work on their game, but this happens every day at GAMMA. I’ve moved around a lot recently and taken trial classes at gyms in Raleigh and Chapel Hill and it wasn’t until I got to Greenville and started training at GAMMA that I fell in love with Jiu-Jitsu. I’m not exaggerating when I say the first time I stepped on the mat was a life-changing experience. I’m a full-time student, parent, and teacher, so it can be hard to find the time and energy to train sometimes, so I am definitely lucky to have such a fantastic community keeping me rolling.”

 

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Why Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Is Great For Children

Why Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Is Great For Children

The Jiu-Jitsu Times | Why Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Is A Great Sport for Unathletic Children.

Today I ran across a good article about why Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a good activity for children. Especially the ones who don’t do well at Team Sports and or are not athletic. If you are looking for an activity for your child, this really explains why what we teach is best for your child.

It is really tough for our kids to find a place for them. A good read if you want to learn more about our style.

And if you are an adult and not athletic, you too can get the same benefits from training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

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Sometimes as a Coach you have a chance to make a difference in this sport of MMA.

Recently my team went to a smaller MMA event held in Hickory Va. And I had three fighters on this card. I was asked to corner a fighter who was in between teams at this time. Later in the evening we realized that two of the opponents, of our fighter, where not showing. So I asked to move my only fighter to the first fight so we could leave early.

But where did that leave the other fighter who didn’t have a team, that ended up to be the main event, at the end of the card?

Well he came to me and let me know that he really wanted me to stay and corner him. And yes I did give my word to corner him so I and my team stayed for the whole event to help him do as well as he did. I spent about 30 minutes asking about his back ground and what tools he had to go into the cage.

Well he did so well I wanted to give him the props for this fight. Later on other coaches came to me and let me know he was a good fighter on my team. I let them know he wasn’t on my team but he listened so well to my coaching I knew I had made a difference in this match. Wished I had a few more people like him who really wanted to fight.

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Testimonial: Jack Teller

Testimonial: Jack Teller

Jack came to the All American Martial Arts Academy at the age of 30—which goes to show that it is never too late to start! He recalls his first lesson:


I had walked by the gym many times, and it always intimidated me a bit. And that is what compelled me to try it—the fear of it. Any time I discover that I have a fear, I have to conquer it; I have to overcome it.

I called and scheduled a free trial class, and when I came in I was very reluctant to get on the mats—the fear was still at work. I just wanted to observe. I remember thinking that I wanted to see how badly they beat each other, and that if they hit each other in the head a lot, I would not do it. I was not interested in losing any brain cells.

Of course, James (the owner of the gym) managed to convince me to put on a gi (the uniform worn by Jiu Jitsu practitioners) and to give it a go. He was just too nice about it, and I could not say no. I was surprised: there were all kinds of people in the class: young, old, male, female, doctors, teachers, mechanics… even folks with various disabilities were there.

The class was relaxed and very enjoyable. I remember noticing how focused the instruction was on proper technique, and on NOT using strength. We learned self-defense moves, as well as some grappling moves. No one got bashed in the head at all, and everyone smiled a lot. It was easy to meet everyone and make friends. It turned out that there was nothing at all to fear.

After the class, everyone got to “roll,” which is partnered practice for the techniques taught in the academy. This was going to be the real test, I thought. I will see if these techniques really work. I should mention that I have always been in good shape, I spent five years in the Marine Corps, and I’m over 6 feet tall. I expected to impress these folks with how well I did, so when I was partnered with a scrawny, 115 pound blue belt who seemed very shy, I almost felt insulted. What is more, I was worried that I would hurt him—after all, I was much bigger and stronger than him.

We shook hands, as is customary before “rolling,” and then he proceeded to fold me up into a human pretzel. I had to tap out. To add insult to injury (for injury attorneys, you can try here) , he did it in about 20 seconds, and without a single groan of effort or a bead of sweat on his very relaxed brow. I was sold! I had to learn how to do that! You can also click to read more here about hiring injury attorneys.

Jack Teller

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Testimonial: Chantez B

My daughter had begun to seclude herself and not go out to play anymore because of the children in the neighborhood threatening her but since attending classes at the All American Martial Arts Academy, she has began to go back out to play.

Chantez B.

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Mixed Martial Arts is the fastest growing sport in the World right now.

Mixed Martial Arts is the fastest growing sport in the World right now.

 And as the sport has evolved and more people are watching it, more and more people are getting ideas of what it is and what it isn’t. Well someone who has been around this sport for awhile I have seen the pendulum swing back and fourth. At first the grappling part of Mixed Martial Arts was really neglected to the point that just being a good grappler was enough to win Mixed Martial Arts matches.

 Then everything swung the other way, then you have to be good at other styles of striking like kickboxing, and have a good base in a grappling style.

 But now I am seeing a dangerous trend. There are so many Mixed Martial Arts matches to never get to the ground. Fighters are more content to keep things standing up and win by knock out, or by decision. And that is good, but when the new generation of fighters are inspired by what they are seeing in Mixed Martial Arts, they are getting maybe the wrong idea.

 When Anderson “The Spider” Silva was knocking people out, a lot of people I was talking to about his style and ability didn’t know he had a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. And when I was with a group of people watching some of his fights, they were so excited when he was taken down, and I would say “just wait and see what happens.” We all know what happened.

 Just because you don’t see the grappling moves and submissions don’t mean the fighter isn’t working on that part of his game. And don’t mean he is not proficient in that range of fighting.

 I also think having a good Grappling game will help you in your stand up too. I have seen the stand up fighters be so scared of going to the ground that they couldn’t get that 3rd or 4th punch or kick off the finish the fight. They was always having to protect their hips and stay in longer ranges. Sometimes this is a good idea to win a judges decisions, but seldom allows you to finish the match.

Get on the mat, and let’s train.

 Coach’s Corner

 James Speight.

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Testimonial: Eric W.

All American Martial Arts Academy has played a crucial role in allowing my wife with whom is visually disabled and suffering from M.S. To participate in an activity that not only allows her to be more active and healthy but maybe more importantly has given skill and confidence to defend herself should the need ever arise. Now my son is receiving the same instruction which is giving him the same confidence at school allowing him the opportunity to focus more of his attention on his schoolwork.

Eric W.

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