Karin Reemts
Apr 14, 2023
“I have not been so intrigued by a sport since running. That is saying a lot, since I have been running for over 35 years. I started training last fall when I couldn't run due to a foot injury. My kids started training last summer. I wanted something that was focused on building confidence and self-esteem. Something both kids could do (they are VERY different shapes and sizes) so I wanted something that wasn't going to give an advantage to a bigger nor smaller person. I didn't want something that was overly focused on belt promotions, or advancing based on attending a certain number of classes or having to pass a test. So I just kept reading and the more I read the more I kept hearing about Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. On our first visit, we were greeted with the warmest welcome from Professor Sergio. By the time we left, we were committed to a trial class. My daughter (age 6) was VERY unsure. VERY. My son (age 9) was eager. Neither knew what they were doing, but Professors and Coaches and fellow students were helpful and attentive. My son is a big kid - he's now 10 years old, 110lbs and 5 ft tall, not organically athletic. My daughter is tiny - she's now 7 and about 40 lbs, nimble, and flexible. They couldn't be more different, but they both fit in. The instruction follows a proven and consistent curriculum that is used at every Gracie Barra academy. It starts with warm up, drills, self defense, and jiu-jitsu techniques. The younger kids often finish with a game (which if you look closely, is well disguised skill development).The academy felt like home. Everyone is friendly. I knew I needed to jump in. So I did. My daughter trains 3x a week, my son 2x and now I train 4-5x a week. Professors and coaches and team members are all so helpful. My progress is slow and steady, and some days I feel like I can't get anything right. Other days, I can spar with a brown belt and I can fight back. I can play defense. I know enough to get my knee where it belongs some days. I can hip escape to try and make my way out of a tricky situation. I feel stronger, more mentally than physically. Here is the Gracie Barra Student's Creed. The kids say this at the beginning of every class. "As a Gracie Barra team member and jiu-jitsu student, I seek to develop strength in the body, knowledge in the mind, and a non-quitting attitude". The adults don't say this in class, but that doesn't mean we approach it any differently. Every day, as a Gracie Barra team member and as a jiu-jitsu student, I show up looking to not only enhance physical strength, but also grow mentally by learning new techniques and methods of self defense. I WANT to show up every day. 1. If I take nothing away from my Gracie Barra experience, I know that I feel more self confident. Even just the fact of saying "I practice Brazilian jiu-jitsu" has a very strong feeling. 2. Each day that I show up and someone makes me feel welcome, I know I made the right choice. There has never been a person to make me feel unwelcome. Never. 3. Recently, I did ONE judo drill mostly right and I managed to do an entire technique without help. Progress. Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.”