Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu

Beware of people who are bring you to the ground. Most attacks end up there and knowing how to get up again means you'll live to fight another day. Besides being an awesome workout especially for heart and lungs you will learn how to get out of the toughest body holds. Learn Brazilian Jiujitsu and the final take down won't be final.

Jose Reyes Instructs in English and Spanish

A first-degree black belt under Sifu Fowler, Jose found a love for ground fighting a few years before receiving his black belt. He continually trains in both arts. Jose is characteristically relaxed. He knows that relaxing is the key to winning a confrontation. When you are relaxed, you can think about your options and act accordingly. Jose's great leadership makes him an amazing asset to any school and we are proud to have him at ours. Class Schedule.

The history of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) goes back through the Gracie family to their original teacher, Mitsuyo Maeda (Conde Coma) and his training in the Kodokan, the home of Judo. First, a brief history of the creation and evolution of Judo.
JUDO
Judo is the creation of Jigoro Kano (1860-1938). Jigoro Kano was a highly educated man (he is considered the founder of the modern Japanese educational system) that sought to combine and preserve the ancient martial traditions of Japan. Kano refined the techniques he had learned primarily from two traditional systems, the Tenshin Shin'yo Ryu and the Kito Ryu, and founded his own style, Kodokan Judo in 1882. One of the most important innovations in Kano's Judo was the emphasis placed on "randori" , or non-cooperative free sparring practice. The majority of the ancient Jiu-Jitsu styles based their training on pre-arranged sequences of attack and defense known as "kata" . Although Kano acknowledged the value of kata practice (kata training is present in Judo training to this day), he also realized the absolute necessity of learning to apply techniques in the most realistic manner. Randori allows the practitioner to develop the mindset and technical proficiency needed to apply techniques against fully resisting opponents in as realistic a venue as safety allows. Kano's new style was put to the test in the famous tournament of 1886, hosted by the Tokyo Police. Of the 15 matches pitting Kodokan Judo fighters against fighters of various classic styles of Jiu Jitsu, the Kodokan won 13 matches and tied the other two. Kano's hybrid martial art and revolutionary methods of training had proven most effective.

F or several years, Kodokan Judo reigned supreme. All subsequent challengers representing traditional styles were defeated, and the superiority of Kodokan Judo appeared unassailable. Then, about the turn of the Nineteenth Century a monumental event occurred when the Kodokan was challenged by a man named Mataemon Tanabe. Tanabe was the headmaster of an obscure system of classical Jiu Jitsu, the Fusen Ryu. The Fusen Ryu was unlike the other Jiu Jitsu styles that had sought to test their techniques against the Kodokan; Fusen Ryu fighters were expert at fighting on the ground, an area conspicuously lacking in the Kodokan syllabus of technique (up to this point in its evolution, Judo techniques were almost entirely composed of stand up throwing methods). In the matches that followed, all representatives of Kodokan Judo were taken to the ground and submitted by the fighters of the Fusen Ryu. The results of the Kodokan-Fusen Ryu matches highlighted the relevance and importance of ground fighting techniques in dramatic fashion, and Kano invited Tanabe to teach ground grappling at the Kodokan. Ground fighting became very popular at the Kodokan, and all students began practicing both throwing and ground grappling techniques. At about the time the grappling techniques of the Fusen Ryu entered the Kodokan curriculum, a young man named Mitsuyo Maeda began his Judo training.

M itsuyo Maeda (1878-1941) was a martial arts prodigy who eventually became one of the greatest fighters in the history of Judo. Maeda originally practiced classical styles of Jiu Jitsu, eventually entering the Kodokan to study Judo. After remaining undefeated in Judo tournament competition, Kano sent Maeda to the U.S.A. in 1904 to spread the message of Kodokan Judo. Over the course of his career, Maeda fought in literally hundreds of matches, grappling with and without the gi, and fighting in "mixed" matches (that included striking and kicking, commonly referred to as "no-holds-barred" fights). During his travels, Maeda fought in the United States, Great Britain, continental Europe, Cuba, Mexico and finally Brazil. Throughout his career as a professional fighter, after engaging in over 1,000 free fights, Maeda retired without ever losing a match. The culmination of Maeda's training in classical Jiu Jitsu and especially Judo, tempered by his extensive combat experience against all types of challengers, resulted in a realistic, street effective method of fighting.

M itsuyo Maeda finally settled in Brazil and opened an academy of "Jiu Jitsu" . One of his students was a young man named Carlos Gracie. After studying with Maeda for several years during the 1920's, Carlos opened his own academy in 1925. Carlos and his brothers established a solid reputation by issuing the now famous "Gracie Challenge" . All challengers were welcome to come and fight with the Gracies in no-holds-barred (NHB) matches. The Gracie fighters emerged victorious against fighters of all different backgrounds. The Gracies continued to develop the strategies and techniques they learned from Maeda, honing their skills with the realities of real fighting.
Several members of the Gracie family began to emigrate to the United States in the late 1980's. BJJ became world famous in the mid 1990's when Royce Gracie won a string of victories in the early Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) competitions, an event pitting martial artist and fighters of various disciplines against each other in an NHB format. Shortly after, Royce's brother Rickson went undefeated in similar events in Japan, and other members of the Gracie clan were equally as successful in MMA events around the U.S. It became quickly apparent that fighters versed only in punching and kicking lost every time they faced a BJJ trained opponent. At present, all fighters in open rules events (now popularly called "mixed martial arts" or MMA) train in BJJ to some extent. The emergence of the Gracies and their particular brand of Jiu Jitsu, with its time tested and proven effectiveness in challenge matches and MMA fights, has had a major impact on martial arts worldwide.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, although obviously similar in many respects to Judo and other traditional systems of Japanese Jiu Jitsu, differs in some fundamental ways from all other related systems. Judo was originally designed as a powerful system of self-defense that also included a sportive component and the idea of self-cultivation and the mutual benefit of members of society. Presently, although the techniques of Judo may certainly be applied in real fighting situations (and many practitioners of "sport" Judo have applied their skills very effectively in non-sportive confrontations), the emphasis in most schools is on sport competition. During the course of the last century the rules of Judo began to emphasize means of achieving victory in competition that did not necessarily reflect the conditions of all in fighting. For example, a Judo match may be won by a throw or a pin hold without a submission. These rules and limited groundwork that forbids many of the original submission holds found in early Judo somewhat limit direct applicability to street fights. Other styles of classical Jiu Jitsu are still plagued by the original problem Kano addressed with his emphasis on randori, namely, technical training is limited to kata practice.

 

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has followed a different course in the last 80 years. The Gracie challenge and participation in countless free fighting events has led to a different emphasis in fighting strategy and the development of unique rules for BJJ sport competition. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is divided into three broad categories, each mutually supportive of the others; self-defense (including striking techniques and unarmed techniques against armed opponents), free fighting competition (commonly referred to as "vale tudo" or "anything goes" events, now popularly called MMA), and sport grappling with and without the gi (matches that include a wide range of submission holds, but no striking). Even the rules of sport grappling matches are designed to ingrain the proper strategy to be applied in the street. For example in a sport BJJ match, points are awarded based on achieving superior positions, positions from which not only grappling techniques can be more readily applied, but also from which strikes may be applied or defended. Students naturally seek the positions that will garner them the most points, thereby constantly reinforcing the most efficient strategy for real life confrontations. This "position-submission" strategy has proven to be the most effective for real life confrontations.
The overall fighting strategy of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is designed to equip a physically smaller or weaker individual with an effective method of defending against a larger and stronger attacker. When applying BJJ techniques, leverage is paramount, as leverage is the secret to the amplification and most efficient use of force. BJJ also has the most developed methods of fighting while on one's back, a position weaker fighters will often find themselves when attacked. The innovations of the Gracie family, most notably by grandmasters Carlos and Helio Gracie, and continuing with BJJ fighters today, through constant testing and refinement in the crucible of actual fights, has resulted in this unique style of Jiu Jitsu.

Helio Gracie, patriarch of Gracie Jiu Jitsu

Shenwu.com

Dragon's Den Kenpo Karate Studio
522 Chestnut St.
Lynn, Massachusetts 01902
781.477.6060
A Brief History of American Kenpo Karate
Senior Grandmaster Edmund K. Parker, Sr., is considered the father of American Kenpo Karate.
William K. S. Chow first met and taught the well-known and undisputed "Father" of today's American Kenpo Karate, Senior Grandmaster Edmund Kealoha Parker, Sr., in the Hawaiian Islands.
Mr. Parker realized the need for new innovations to combat modern day methods of fighting. He developed new concepts, theories, and principles that are practical in today's environment. Every action from your opponent creates a opportunity for you where you can use an unending flow of motion. Every block is a strike and every strike is a block.
Parker Kenpo Karate is fit to the individual. It is very self-defense oriented and allows flexibility for you to draw from all of your body's natural weapons in a overwhelming flow of circular and linear motions. This art can be practiced by anyone regardless of height, weight, age, or sex, against single or multiple attackers.
In 1954, Mr. Parker moved from Honolulu to Provo, Utah, and opened the first commercial karate studio in the United States. Mr. Parker graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology and Psychology. During his days at BYU, he opened a class on campus and began teaching. After some exposure at a basketball game, he was recruited to teach local police officers various techniques. He taught them and they came back to him with feedback, having used those techniques in real combat.
It was there that he began to analyze how techniques are put together and the balance between circular and linear motions. A circular motion becomes a linear move and a linear move becomes a circular motion. Mr. Parker then moved to California and opened his second school. Within two years, he was teaching well-known Hollywood and entertainment personalities and had actors using martial arts in movies. From his schools came a variety of well-known individuals and from his tournaments, many got much-needed exposure.
For example, Bruce Lee was discovered at Mr. Parker's first International Karate Championship (IKC) tournament. Mr. Parker was influential in helping Bruce Lee get the role of Kato in the TV series The Green Hornet. Elvis Presley was a student of Mr. Parker's and would often use karate kicks and moves while on stage. Mr. Parker was a close friend and confidant of Elvis, as well as his personal bodyguard. A good movie that will show the power and flow of motion of Parker Kenpo is "The Perfect Weapon" featuring Mr. Parker's student, Jeff Speakman. Mr. Parker designed and choreographed the fight scenes. Other actors that were Mr. Parker's students in Hollywood include Steve McQueen, William Shatner, Robert Conrad, Warren Beatty, Robert Culp, George Hamilton, Blake Edwards, Joey Bishop, Dick Martin, Elke Sommers, and the World War II hero Audie Murphy.
Grandmaster Parker passed away on December 15, 1990 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Mr. Parker was a genius and pioneer that shared his vision with all who listened. He will be missed, but never forgotten.
The devoted American Kenpo Karate practitioner might want to read the following books:
Infinite Insights into Kenpo, Volumes 1 through 5, by Edmund K. Parker, Sr., 1981 - 1987.
Secrets of Chinese Karate, by Edmund K. Parker, Sr., 1963.
Guide to the Nunchaku, by Edmund K. Parker, Sr.
Kenpo Karate (Law of the Fist and the Empty Hand), by Edmund K. Parker, Sr., 1960.
Ed Parker's Encyclopedia of Kenpo, by Edmund K Parker.
The Journey (a compilation of stories from 24 of Senior Grandmaster's students).
Through much work and experimentation, the "finalized" American Kenpo Karate curriculum was established and published in Mr. Parker's fifth volume of the Infinite Insights into Kenpo series. I use quotes because he never wanted it to be final, but instead wanted his students to continue and expand upon his developments.

Copyright 1997-2007 Dragon's Den Kenpo Karate Studio
+1 781.477.6060
info@dragonsdenkarate.com

 

History & Lineage
Hua T’o (190-265 A.D.) was a brilliant surgeon who created exercises (forms) for defense and health based on mimicking animal postures.
Tamo (527 A.D.) was the 28th East Indian patriarch of the Buddhist faith. He was also known as Bodhidharma. He created the 18 hand movements (then called Go-sinjutsu) that became the forerunner of Shaolin Boxing. Tamo taught in the Shaolin Temple – which is generally considered the foundation of the martial arts.
Yuen Fei (Sung Dynasty 960-1279 A.D.) developed a series of movements on surface development through the utilization of body tension and detailed his set of 12 lessons in his book Patuanchin.
Chueh Yuan (Yuan Dynasty 1260-1368 A. D.) increased Tamo’s original 18 hand movements to 72 and great effort was made to popularize his version. He then collaborated with Li Ch’eng and Pai Yu-feng to further expand the 72 movements to 170.
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D.) and Ch’ing Dynasty (1644-1911 A.D.) were the “Golden Periods” in Chinese and Okinawan martial arts. In fact many systems taught today were born and expanded on during these periods.
James Mitose (1915-1981) was born in Hawaii but had learned Kenpo while living with relatives in Japan during 1920-1935. James Mitose claimed his lineage to be (Bodhidharma—Zen Master Rinzai–Choki Motobu–James Mitose) in his book What is Self-Defense. An American citizen of Japanese ancestry, Mitose had respect for his Japanese heritage, but his loyalties were to the United States. At the start of World War II, he enlisted in the Hawaii Territorial Guard. Because of gratitude for his fellow guard members' lack of prejudice toward him, he founded what he called the Official Self-Defense Club for guard members and associates. This was the first formal, open introduction of Kenpo in the U.S. From the beginning, Mitose emphasized the self-defense aspects of Kenpo, stressing that it was not equivalent to violence. He also downplayed the sport aspect of Kenpo. Although similar in movement to boxing, Kenpo's philosophy was geared toward self-preservation. In Japanese, the word Kenpo means "fist law," which distinguishes it from the Japanese word for boxing: ken-to, which means "fist fight."
William K. S. Chow (1914-1987) is the man who was most responsible for laying the foundation of an American version of Kenpo. As a Chinese-Hawaiian, his background gave him connections to both the oriental and American points of view. Chow studied under both his Chinese father and James Mitose. From his father, he learned the circular movements characteristic of the Chinese styles. From Mitose, he learned the linear movements and takedown techniques.
Ed Parker (1931-1990) was a direct student of William K. S. Chow. Many martial arts professionals credit Ed Parker with almost single-handedly preparing America to be ready for the martial arts. Virtually all American Kenpoists today trace their training back to Ed Parker. A Black Belt magazine Man of the Year and frequent cover story subject (including its premier issue), Ed Parker is regarded by many in the martial arts world as not simply the undisputed "father of American Kenpo," but as the "father of American Karate" as well. He is the Senior Grandmaster of American Kenpo.
Tomas Connor (1929-1989) was one of Ed Parker's first-generation students. Tomas Connor and Ed Parker founded the Chinese Martial Arts Association. Master Connor later formed one of the largest karate organizations in the world, Traco International. He continued to be a major influence in the development of Kenpo and school management systems worldwide.

http://www.americaninstituteofkenpo.com/history-and-lineage.html