• You are walking into completely foreign atmosphere with people you don’t know, who are training to "kick some ass".
• The techniques they are doing are unfamiliar and maybe intimidating themselves.
• The movements look "painful"
• Sparring may look scary or incredibly difficult.
• You may feel that you are out of shape or ill-prepared to start training
• You may think that you’ll feel stupid being the new person compared to everyone else.
• There are many more…

I personally remember visiting many different jiu-jitsu and martial arts schools years ago trying to find one that would work for me; and I remember it was not always a "fun" experience. Many of those fears above I faced myself. Sometimes those fears maybe too much for a person to actually start training – and that is truly sad. Martial arts and jiu-jitsu training can be one of the most rewarding experiences in your life. It has personally shaped and enhanced my life; and the lives of my students to a point where it’s actually impossible to imagine life without the amazing benefits of jiu-jitsu. I believe it can do the same for everyone.

For those of you who have never had any experience with martial arts often ask me questions like "Am I too old to start?", "Am I too overweight?", "Will I be able to do the techniques because of [enter limitation ]?"

My response(s) to those questions is almost always the same.

1. Age: You are never too old to start martial arts. One of my favorite training partners started jiu-jitsu around 45 years old, and I believe just turned 50 last year. His name is Trey Whitaker. He runs a great blog about his training: www.jujitsublog.com. Trey trains hard and now is a Brown Belt in Kobukai Ju-Jitsu. And he’s just not the "old guy" training. He’s an ass-kicker! He shows up to class regularly, puts in the time and now is an incredible martial artist. He is proof to anyone that martial arts – regardless of your age is a great and rewarding experience.
2. Weight: The weight issue is a common concern that students face when they start martial arts. They think they are "too fat" to train. Most of them will tell me that when they lose weight that they will come back in train. First – everyone has some sort of limitation when it comes to training. It maybe weight, it maybe an injury, it maybe asthma, etc. Martial arts training changes and decreases your limitations. Most of my students are ecstatic about how much weight they are losing just by training 2-4 days a week and "having fun". They’re not spending countless of hours on the treadmill, they’re hanging out with their friends and experiencing jiu-jitsu to it’s fullest. They have a challenging workout that is never boring. So, if you’re concerned about your weight, then start training. The weight will begin to melt off, you’ll gain confidence in your abilities and techniques, and you’ll have a blast doing it. Also – no one is perfect. No one really cares if you have some extra weight around your stomach or legs or wherever. What we really care about is that you are learning, growing, and experiencing jiu-jitsu.
3. Other Limitations: Similar to the weight issue, most people will have some limitation that they are worried about. My response to this is simple. Everyone has a limitation. Training allows to your overcome, conquer, or work through you’re limitation(s). One of the best jiu-jitsu fighters in the world in Jean Jacques Machado. Jean was born without 4 fingers on his left hand. In jiu-jitsu, the grip is vitally important. Imagine the limitation Jean was facing without the use of his left fingers – yet he is regarded as one of the best grapplers in the world. There is also the grappler with no hands and no feet: Kyle Maynard. He actually just fought his first MMA fight. You think you have problems when you’re starting training – imagine why Kyle faces everyday. Yet – I doubt they even consider what they have a limitation. They are just training and experiencing their martial arts to the fullest.
   

   I personally had 2 limitations that I faced/face. One of them was a weight issue – I was 260lbs and losing my abilities as a martial artist due to my weight. The other issue was "fear". I never had dreams of being a "UFC Champion" but I always did want to fight in a MMA fight. Last year – I faced both of those limitations and lost 67lbs and fought my first professional MMA fight. There’s an article about it here, but the point is that everyone has a limitation. Conquering those fears and limitations, will not only improve your martial arts training, but in your overall life.

Lastly, there are some key principles and philosophies that we follow and adhere to at our school. These make our school uniquely different and welcoming to new students, returning students and guests.

1. Respect: Respect is the biggest and most important principles we follow when training. Respect for your teacher(s), fellow students, and guests. These are people that you are training with and learning with. You need to trust and respect them in order for everyone to continue to grow.
2. Discipline: The concept of discipline does not mean that we will beat you with a stick or make you do 100 pushups in the corner if you screw up. It simply means that we expect a student to "act properly" when training. They show up on time, they listen to their instructors, they are not trying to hurt one and other, and they are following the protocol of the school. All that we ask is that when you come to train, you are there to train – and that you "respect" the guidelines of the school and instructors.
3. No-Heroes: Sooner or later in martial arts you and other students will start to improve. You’ll begin to notice that your techniques are getting better, you’re doing better while sparring, and you feel more confident in your abilities. Sometimes this can lead to negative behavior (BIG head) that makes the person harder to train with. They become cocky, arrogant and now hard to train with. They lack "Humility". The hero mentality does not "fit" in our school. If you have that personality and want to come in and "kick everyone’s ass", 2 things will probably happen. 1.) You’ll leave the school because it’s just not the place for you to train, or 2.) You’ll change your attitude and recognize the wealth of talent and knowledge available to you.
4. Humility is one of the best virtues a martial artist can have. It is a virtue that is very important in our school. We have Rafael "Formiga" Barbosa teaching at our school – he is literally one of the BEST jiu-jitsu fighters in the world. But, he is also an incredible martial artist. He is EXTREMELY humble, friendly and willing to help anyone. He is the perfect teacher and training partner. He never tries to hurt you, but always working with you. He challenges you enough to learn, yet shows you have to progress as well. When we go train on Saturdays with Shihan Russ St Hilaire – you will experience someone who has spent over 30 years in the martial arts, yet treats his students and training partners with the utmost respect and adoration. He truly cares about their progress and personal goals. One of my favorite quotes for Shihan is "My job is to teach you how to kick my ass". He shares every piece of knowledge and advice he can provide to you. Those two are true teachers and martial artists, and I try to model myself after them everytime I am teaching.

Lastly #2 – I hope this bit of information can encourage you as a new martial artist to come visit us and experience what we have to offer. I also hope it will help alleviate some of your "fears" or concerns about training jiu-jitsu. I said it before – jiu-jitsu training and martial arts can be the most rewarding experience in your life. I have met my best friends, experienced things I never thought I would, achieved amazing physical and mental progress, and have something has become truly part of my "soul". I hope that is someday can offer you the same.

Sincerely,
Sempai Matt Bryers

PS: We are also starting a new introductory class program for all new students and guests. When you download the coupon, we’ll provide you with a semi-private lesson during our training times to introduce you to our school, style and some beginning techniques.

Rafael “Formiga” Barbosa

Black Belt / Top-Level BJJ Competitor

Rafael has recenetly moved to Connecticut from Brazil to start teaching and competing in jiu-jitsu in the USA. He is one of the most talented and dynamic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighters coming from Brazil.

Rafael will be teaching 2 days a week at our Cromwell location. The opportunity to train with Formiga is HUGE – he brings a wealth of talent, experience, and amazing technical knowledge.

Rafael has won NUMEROUS titles in Brazil, we will post them soon. He also just competed in the BJJ World Championships and submitted 2 of his opponents of the way to the quarter finals, where he lost to the champion by an advantage.

Formiga Classes

• Monday: 8:30-10PM (gi)
• Thursday: 8:30-10PM (no-gi)

Formiga Competing in Brazil Videos:

Formiga rolling at our school:

Formiga vs Oz Pariser

For me, there were key elements that aided my in my decision to train at these schools….

1. Did the school offer what I was looking for?
   I was looking for a solid COMBAT martial art that not only had ground grappling, but incorporated throws and takedowns as well. Being an ex-wrestler I recognized the importance of throws and takedowns in a real fight, as well as a sporting event. Kobukai Ju-Jitsu incorporated throws, takedowns, ground grappling, as well as weapon’s defense. It was a complete package.
2. Was the teacher competent?
   I had been to many other jiu-jitsu and grappling schools, and had been around martial arts long enough beforehand to know when a teacher is not as “knowledgeable” as he thinks he is – so when I started training with Sensei St. Hilaire and Luigi Mondelli, I was instantly impressed with their depth of knowledge and understanding. The biggest thing you want from your teacher is honestly. Your teachers should be able to answer and provide you with answers to 90-95% of your questions and be able to solve your martial arts problems. For the questions they don’t know, they should be able to provide you a path to the answer, or find the answer for you. The teacher should not give you some BS answer that will just get you hurt and/or disillusioned into thinking you are learning good technique.
3. How does the teacher interact with his students?
   Jiu-Jitsu is in the details and in the basics. In order to be proficient at jiu-jitsu, you need to have solid basics and you need to understand the details of the techniques. So when you watch or participate in a class, does your teacher provide the details? If he focusing on basic techniques (for new students) or is he giving you some elaborate technique that he can’t even pull off? Students need to start from the bottom up. One of the most frustrating things for a new student is being presented with techniques and information that doesn’t even make sense. In Kobukai, we follow a chart system that allows you to progressively build upon a core set of base techniques that allow you to progress and grow into more advanced ones.
4. What are the students like?
   Students are a direct reflection of their teacher. Observe the students – how are their attitudes, how is their technique, how do they treat other students? I remember when I first watched a Kobukai Ju-Jitsu class, I saw Sempai Kenny and Sempai Steve training as white belts (now two of my closest training partners) and was amazed at their technique and attitudes. I had spent 2-3 years in other grappling martial arts beforehand, and my depth of knowledge was no where near close to theirs.
5. Respect, Respect, Respect.
   Martial arts training is essentially fight training. You are working with a partner to increase your ability to fight. An intricate part of jiu-jitsu is what we call “rolling” or grappling sparring. This allows us to test and enhance the skills we’ve been learning. When you are learning with your partner or sparring with your partner, you need to respect each other and remember that this is a training environment. I’ve seen too many schools and heard too many stories of students going into other schools and getting pummeled and “beaten up” by fellow students and the teacher. What is accomplished by this…? How are you benefiting the new student? How is this benefiting your reputation?
   In our school respect for each other as well as “no egos” are vitally important. Disrespect, cocky attitudes, and trying to deliberately hurt your training partner is not accepted.
6. Can I train here?
   You will be spending a lot of time in your training with the teacher and the students. They can and eventually may become some of your closest friends. Some of the best friends I have are the ones I train with and my teacher(s). If you get along with these people and “had a good time” during your lesson. Then it is probably a good place for you

Lastly, there are many factors that go into finding a good jiu-jitsu school or martial arts school in general. I hope that you will eventually stop down into our school and check us out. I personally strive to create an environment that fosters learning and provides my students with the knowledge to fight as well as the discipline and respect to grow in martial arts.

Sempai Matt Bryers