Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy of Miami

[KenJeet]

I finally took my first official private Gracie Jiu-jitsu class last Friday. I have 39 more to go in the 40 lesson program. I was very happy with the class. Although it was obviously very basic since I have trained before with Bart Vale and Erik Paulson, I can see why Pedro Valente is highly regarded as being a very technical professor. I learned the first five moves of the program:
1) Two hand front choke defense
2) A one handed lapel grab defense
3) A headlock defense
4) A bearhug from behind with arms pinned defense
5) Escaping the Mounted Position (UPA)

In addition, I also learned the proper way to stand up in base. I must say that although these were all pretty basic moves, I once and for all learned the "why" behind the UPA and the correct way of holding the opponent's arm when performing the UPA. He also spoke a little about Ude Garami (Paint Brush, French Arm lock, Key lock, Chicken Wing) what ever you want to call it. He finally explained why when you grab the wrist you should grab it with the thumb on top. This probably sounds very elementary but you'd be suprised at the number of instructors who just tell you to do it because that's how they were taught. His knowledge of the technical aspects of each move is what most impressed me. He also taught me a way of truly keeping the wrist held firm when performing the Paint Brush submission. I can't wait for the next class. Everyone on this forum was right. He is an excellent instructor. Thank you.

[Quad]

What´s the reason,if the other guy moves his arm too violently he can brak your thumb? Is that what he said?

[KenJeet]

He didn't necessarily say that you could break your thumb. What he said was that any type of wrist lock weapon hand grab, etc., can be broken by putting pressure towards the direction of the thumb. Hence, you can escape the lock.

[Quad]

Close enough. I had my thumb twisted really bad like that.

[z]

I hope the training contiues to go well. When will you be able to roll during open mat night? I am assuming that Gracie Miami has such a thing. Please keep us posted.

[Mr. Miyagi]

I don't know much about this academy other than the fact that it opened relatively recently. I've trained at Conan Silveira's academy and I was very impressed with the classes there also. Conan is also a very technical and personal instructor. Good luck.

[sknydave]

I train at Conan's school.. I just wish I had more time to go every day...

[z]

Whats up Ken Jeet?

[KenJeet]

I took my second private. It was a really good class. We went over everything that I worked on in our first class and went into some new information. I learned a pretty effective close range defense against a stick attack, a hip throw, and the first version of how to pass the guard. It's funny because I have continously heard from people that the way of passing the guard taught by the Helio group is flawed because people believe that you can get choked by a triangle. I too was curious about this method but after having it technically explained to me, it is virtually impossible to get triangled if you follow the extremely methodical way of passing the guard that is taught by the Helio group. The amount of weight that bears over your body along with the strategic positioning of your head and arms is enough to counter the triangle. In addition, it makes learning how to pass the guard standing up a lot easier. Overall, it was a great class. I love to be able to get together ocassionaly with anyone who trains in Miami. I am always willing to learn and have fun.

[CityBum]

Thats easy, just roll with the guys in class. You will learn alot from rolling also. Privates are great for individual instruction, but you must practice what you learn with others.