Texarkana Jiu Jitsu and Fitness

Texarkana's Leading Martial Arts and Fitness Gym for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), MMA, Kickboxing, Wrestling, Judo, Combat Arts, and Fitness Cardio Kickboxing Bootcamps!

Self Defense

Former Navy SEAL Commander on the Best Martial Arts for Self Defense

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“What’s The Best Martial Art For Self Defense?”

Former Seal Commander and best selling author, Jocko Willink on training for self defense and real martial arts.

His self defense recommendations, in order…
  1. Get a gun and become proficient with it.
  2. Learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu before other arts.
  3. Boxing
  4. Thai Kick Boxing (Muay Thai)
  5. Wrestling
  6. Other Weapons

Interesting that Jocko picks Jiu Jitsu first and then other combat sports in lieu of some other more traditional martial arts.

The truth is that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu will allow you to defend yourself in a one on one situation.

There is more to it than self defense though.

Jiu Jitsu will also get you in shape, regardless of where you are right now.

You’ll be able to get in shape while doing something that is fun and really enjoyable.
The fitness and weight loss is more likely to save your life than protecting yourself in a fight… because the truth is that you are much more likely to get taken out from a lifestyle disease.

You’ll develop discipline, grit, perseverance, confidence in yourself, and how to overcome obstacles.

You’ll develop an unshakable belief in yourself because you’ll see what you can do, what you can accomplish day after day as you step on the mats.
These mental benefits will change your life forever.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and other combat sports are fun to train and really that makes all the difference because if something can’t hold your interest, you won’t get the benefits from training.

Do you live in the Texarkana area and want to try a Free BJJ Class at Texarkana Jiu Jitsu?

Call Us: (903) 793-1085 Email Us: TexarkanaJiuJitsu@gmail.com

Texarkana Jiu Jitsu and Fitness offers Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Martial Arts and Fitness Classes for Kids (Age 4 and Up), Teens, Men and Women.

We Help Texarkana Area Kids, Men, and Women Live Healthier, More Active Lives.

Martial Arts Classes for Fitness, Self Defense, Confidence, Competition, and a More Active, Positive Lifestyle!

Beginners and All Fitness Levels Are Always Welcome!  No Experience Necessary!

Real Self Defense in Texarkana

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How To Save Your Family, Your Own Life, and Defend Yourself in Texarkanaself defense for texarkana

What Is Real Self Defense?

NOTE: this is relative to adults, not children. Kids do have specific, but different needs to protect themselves. Some are the same as adults, whereas others are different.

Gun control is always a hot, highly charged political topic. We will not debate that issue here!

But, let’s talk briefly about firearms.

One of the core issues around guns is self defense.

I think that everyone should have 4 things to protect themselves and their family.

Four Important Self Defense Components to Protect Yourself, Your Family, and Your Home.

Fitness, unarmed self defense skills, a good dog (good deterrent and barking gives you forewarning), and a gun.

Your health and fitness are the most likely threat to you (and your family).

The reality is that most people die from a lack of health/fitness.

You are much more likely to drop dead of a heart attack from lifestyle problems than have someone shoot you….

So, it makes sense to focus a lot of attention here.

The vast majority of early deaths are from chronic diseases… heart problems, cancer, diabetes, and others.

These are virtually all lifestyle, it’s not your genes but how they are expressed through lifestyle/environmental factors… primarily diet, exercise, stress management, and sleep that effect whether you get a health problem or not.

Weapons, Isn’t A Gun Enough?guns, self defense, protect your family texarkana

The short answer is, “No!” Here are a couple of reasons why.

As I mentioned above, you’re more likely to die from a preventable health problem than from an attack. This must be at the forefront of your protection plan for you and your family.

Another important point,

Sometimes, you can’t get to your gun in time.

Other times, it will be very risky because of the situation where you may lose control of your gun,particularly at very close range and if you can not control the attacker (another way Jiu Jitsu will save you).

I mentioned a well known Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt in a prior post that had his home invaded in a past email. He awoke at 2 AM while sleeping on his couch to a masked man standing over him pointing a gun directly at his head.

The intruder said, “If you say anything or move, I’ll kill you and everyone in the house.”

His 3 year old son, his wife, and a few friends were also in his house.

It turned out that there were 2 intruders in his house. They rounded everyone up in a room and told everyone to kneel on the floor.

Fortunately, one of the gunmen was very close to the black belt as he told him to get on the ground to be executed with his family.

The BJJ black belt was able to take the gun and save his family.

His unarmed self defense skills saved him, his wife, his 3 year old son, and his friends.

If he did not have them and act, they would likely all be dead. So would the next house that came under invasion from these criminals and so on.

Was all the time he spent training worth that one moment in time where he saved his family?

If you asked him, clearly his answer would be yes. The challenge is that the time training had to be spent BEFORE the incident, not after.

The home invaders were later caught and tried. They had murdered 2 families before this particular home invasion took place.

Why did this event happen? Many factors, including there are bad people in this world.

Here are a few contributing factors…

  • He had an alarm (it wasn’t on).
  • He had a gun (not on him).
  • He didn’t have a dog (but has 2 now).

Here is the cool thing about Training Jiu Jitsu with us…

You will improve your Health and Fitness, Reduce Stress, and Learn How TO Protect Yourself in Unarmed Combat.

You can add additional protection with a gun and a dog if you would like, but we improve the things that are most likely to take you out AND that’s real self defense.

“I have a very strict gun control policy: if there’s a gun around, I want to be in control of it.” Clint Eastwood on gun control.

Of course, it helps if you know Jiu Jitsu to maintain that control!

Want To Try A Texarkana Jiu Jitsu Class?

Call Us: (903) 793-1085 Email Us: TexarkanaJiuJitsu@gmail.com

The Truth About Martial Arts

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News Team takes a group of Martial Artists to a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school so that they can demonstrate the effectiveness of their art. The results are shocking, but not in the way you might imagine…

Martial Arts, Realistic Application, Self Defense, and Honesty

Check out the news video below that shows a reporter going to a pressure point school and then taking the pressure point advocates to a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school.

I think you’ll come away with a better understanding of what I was describing above, plus you’ll get to see…

  • The power of placebo.
  • A pressure point attack on the female news reporter, “You just hit me in the head.” LOL
  • A lot of confused Brazilian Jiu Jitsu students… “Are you feeling dizzy?” “No, not really.”
  • A pressure point attack against a UFC fighter.
  • Plus, you get to hear the Master himself answer the question, “What went wrong?” You’ll be surprised to hear his answer.

“Special” Self Defense Martial Arts Video…

I was talking with a couple of Texarkana Jiu Jitsu students recently.

One of them mentioned that an acquaintance of his keeps asking him to go to a seminar so he can learn pressure point knockouts.

I really believe that there are a lot of things that people can get out of various martial arts.

Most martial arts, regardless of style offer something of value to the people taking them.

Some of the benefits will be physical like exercising and getting into shape, other benefits might revolve around mental benefits like reducing stress, improving discipline, joining a group of positive individuals, creating new positive habits, setting (and accomplishing goals), etc…

Other people enjoy learning about another culture (some traditional martial arts emphasize history and the culture from which the art originated, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tends to place a little less emphasis on this).

All of these can be good reasons to train in a martial art.

Really there are many different reasons to train in martial arts and if someone finds something that they really enjoy doing that provides them with the benefits that they want, then they should keep training in it.

Having said all that, some martial artists are frauds.

I’m sorry, it’s the truth.

You can’t claim that something works and then completely fail to back up your claim when it’s tested… Just be honest about what your teaching.

I could tell you so many stories about students that have some in from other martial arts and attempted to use pressure point attacks during training with me and my students.

Never once has this resulted in anything but a quick loss to the person attempting to use this tactic.

On one occasion a pressure point expert was grappling with James, who was a blue belt at the time. He kept reaching up with one arm from the guard attempting to use a pressure point attack on James’ neck… with the intention of knocking him out, I guess.

Who knows, maybe he was trying to kill him.

It’s really hard to say, but what I can tell you is that he was armbarred over and over again.

It’s often not really the students fault as they were taught and sold something that did not work and would likely get them seriously hurt in a real confrontation.

In some cases, who knows… maybe even their instructor may have believed what he was teaching.

This is the problem in untested martial arts.

The truth is found in martial arts techniques when the techniques are used against an opponent that is using his/her skills and techniques to try to defeat you.

It may be done in sparring and it may be done in a ‘real life‘ situation.

Combat Sports like Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Wrestling, Sambo, MMA (mixed martial arts), Kickboxing, Muay Thai, and Boxing all train techniques that can be used against a resisting opponent. If it doesn’t work, then it won’t exist in these combat based martial arts.

Other martial arts may not adopt this same philosophy.

Often techniques are trained as part of tradition or because of speculation that the techniques may work. There is no problem with tradition, the only thing I would like to see in arts like that shown above is honesty.

It’s ok if you’re training something that doesn’t work. It might be fun to do so or maybe there is some other type of benefit… just be honest about it. If someone enjoys the training, then they should continue doing what they enjoy.

At Texarkana Jiu Jitsu, we do not train techniques that will not work against a resisting opponent. We do it in a safe way, so that everyone can enjoy the training and constantly improve.

 

Texarkana Jiu Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for Everyone Ages 4 and Up!

 

Contact Us if you would like to try a Free Class!

Call Us: (903) 793-1085 Email Us: TexarkanaJiuJitsu@gmail.com

 

What is the Best Martial Art for Girls in Texarkana?

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Are You The Parent Of A Daughter and Concerned About Her Ability To Defend Herself Against A Bigger, Stronger Boy?

Many martial arts talk about self defense and how a particular style like karate, tae kwon do, kung fu, or other striking based combat sport can allow a smaller individual to defeat a larger opponent.

It can happen. It’s possible for a smaller person to knock out a larger one, but it is much more difficult than you would imagine though.

The problem is that a strike from a larger opponent is much more likely to cause significant damage to the smaller one AND the smaller person is much less likely to land the perfect punch or kick to knock out a larger opponent.

This is why combat sports like boxing and kickboxing have weight classes.

It doesn’t matter how good Floyd Mayweather is (and he’s exceptional), he will not knock out Anthony Joshua (a heavyweight) whereas Joshua probably only needs to land once to end the fight. Adding even greater challenges to the smaller striker in a fight or self defense scenario…

If the larger opponent is being out struck or if the larger opponent wants to control the fight, they will close the distance and clinch.

Now it is in the grappling range, a range foreign to most people in a fight. It’s also extremely common. The close distance denies most of the chances to land a powerful strike.

The larger person has a greater chance of taking the smaller one to the ground where the smaller person will be in the bottom position.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is the undisputed champion on the ground, particularly when having to fight from the bottom position. 

If you watch the matches above, you’ll see the girl use her legs to control, turn over, and even submit her opponents. I am a parent of a daughter. The worst possible situation for me to imagine is a male taking her down and going into her guard (between her legs).

We don’t want this to happen, but far too many girls find themselves in this exact situation at some point in their life.

A gun may offer excellent self defense. It is generally not a good idea to pull a gun at close range though unless you are very good at grappling and controlling the gun because your attacker may gain control of the weapon.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gives your daughter the ability to not only defend herself in the bottom position, but to be offensive and end the assault quickly before the aggressor ever even knew what was going on.

It’s why my daughter trains Jiu Jitsu.

She has since before she turned 4 years old and she will continue through high school.

No sport will give your daughter these types of tools to defend herself in the worst situations, no martial art will really be helpful here with one exception, Jiu Jitsu.

Self Defense is only one benefit of many though… she will get in shape, develop real self confidence, learn how to overcome adversity, set and accomplish goals (plus a lot more)!  

Texarkana Jiu Jitsu

We offer Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes for everyone ages 4 and up. If you want to learn more about our program, or set up a time to watch or try out a first Free Class, contact us…

Call Us: (903) 793-1085 Email Us: TexarkanaJiuJitsu@gmail.com

Adult Brazilian Jiu Jitsu – What To Expect

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What can you expect in Texarkana Jiu Jitsu’s adult Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) martial arts classes?Coach Marc Hagebusch BJJ black belt in Texarkana

1. Learn a highly effective self defense system (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, also known as Gracie Jiu Jitsu after the Gracie family that developed this system in Brazil). These techniques could save your life or the life of someone in your family.
2. Get in great shape quickly to improve your health and self confidence. You can get in the best shape of your life without running for endless hours on a treadmill. You will feel more confident as you lose body fat and improve muscular conditioning. Get in shape by working out with a purpose!
3. Relax, have fun and reduce stress. Participation in our classes allows you to forget about work and other problems that you may be facing in your life. You will find that classes are an excellent escape from many of life’s stresses.
4. You won’t feel out of place in our adult classes and beginning students are always welcome!
5. Participate in one of the fastest growing sports in the United States. Students that are interested in competing have the opportunity to participate in many local, national and international events. This provides an excellent outlet for those with a more competitive nature to participate in an individual sport against others. Our students have experienced phenomenal success in competitions.
6. Classes are taught in a fun, relaxed environment. You won’t have to make funny faces, yell kiaaa, or bow to a ‘master.’ Side note: I was thinking of placing a life size statue of me in the school and having everyone bow to it before and after class, but it was met with fierce resistance so I have put this on temporary hold. But seriously, these activities are related to other martial arts, but are not necessary to improve your self confidence, discipline, fitness (or anything else).
7. Every one is welcome, regardless of experience. Our classes are open to the absolute beginner to those with years of experience in various martial arts – AND you won’t feel out of place. We enjoy helping those just starting out in the martial arts.
8. Your current physical condition should not prevent you from experiencing the benefits of training. Students range from mothers wanting to get back in shape after a pregnancy to athletes with years of training to kids with boundless energy.

9. Texarkana Jiu Jitsu bases all of its programs on functional training, training that works by focusing our martial arts training in the Combat Arts incorporating Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Wrestling, MMA (mixed martial arts as seen in the UFC), Muay Thai Kickboxing, and Boxing. Our primary art is BJJ, but we train elements of the other Combat Arts.

10. We are unlike any other school in the area. Texarkana Jiu Jitsu offers its students cutting-edge, modern martial arts instruction from the 2 Highest Ranking Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belts in both Texarkana and East Texas!

Adult BJJ Martial Arts Classes in Texarkana:

  • offer only the most proven and highly effective martial arts training available.
  • never waste training time by performing mindless movements that don’t work in real life.
  • We believe that if something doesn’t work, then it has no place in training.
  • Not only that, but we practice techniques safely and have an excellent safety record at our school.
  • Beginner’s are always welcome. No experience necessary.
  • All fitness levels can start. You don’t have to be in shape to get started. We’ll get you there when you join us!

 

It is not too late to start, you’re not too old, you’re not too out of shape.

We can help YOU accomplish more in life – call us (903-793-1085) or email us today and

let’s set up a time for you to try a Free Class. You’ll be happy you did!