Our No Gi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Program in Boulder, CO

A little more about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at our Define Defense studio:

Our No Gi Jiu Jitsu Classes

My main background in martial arts is stand up fighting and self defense (for almost 19 years now). I have also been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu since 2008. For the first three years, I only practiced with the gi, based on Gracie Jiu Jitsu.

Before opening Define Defense, I met Drew (our BJJ instructor) and he introduced me to the world of no gi Jiu Jitsu. This was a huge change for me since I had never done Brazilian Jiu Jitsu without the gi before.

Drew doesn’t only teach no gi Jiu Jitsu in our BJJ program, he also shows great techniques from catch wrestling, Judo and (my favorite): 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu.

This has made my grappling game improve tremendously and now, I feel much more confident and skilled. Of course, we still go over the basics to have a solid foundation but being able to supplement this with techniques from other forms of submission wrestling has made a huge difference. I am now able to catch Twisters, control people with Rubber Guard, catch calf slicers etc. For me, it has made a huge difference, both skill wise and mentally. I can put things together better and am able to think out of the box and make transitions easier. 

Gi Jiu Jitsu is still great and I am very thankful I have learned the basics the way I did. However, I feel much more versatile now that I don’t have to rely on the go anymore (I am a bigger and pretty strong guy and am aware it may be different for other people).

Also, having so many classes each week makes it convenient for everyone else to fit it in their schedule. It’s also a great workout and combining it with strength & conditioning classes simply makes you stronger and more skilled.

More info on the No Gi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Program here.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for Self Defense

For self defense purposes, Jiu Jitsu is the ultimate way to protect yourself on the ground. That being said, there is a certain amount of skills you should possess BUT more would be irrelevant for pure self defense situations. 

After all, the chances of your attacker knowing a gift wrap choke is extremely small or doing a banana split would be useless. A great self defense course absolutely needs to teach some Brazilian Jiu Jitsu but it should never be the only thing to rely on. After all, if you can avoid going to the ground, you always should (for example: a sexual assault situation), no matter how good your grappling is. There is the issue of ground and pound, plus your attacker’s accomplice may be just around the corner.

Jiu Jitsu is extremely important for self defense since you do not have to rely on strength; instead, technique will help you get back to safety. Knowing how to avoid situations, accurate striking, stand up self defense locks and techniques etcetera play a very important role as well and a self defense course should offer a complete package of all these aspects.

By Sander Vanacker, Define Defense’s certified personal trainer and head martial arts instructor, based in Boulder, Colorado. Take a look at www.DefineDefense.com, www.TrainerVanacker.comor check out our videos onYouTube.com/DefineDefense !

Define Defense offers training in:

- Modern Martial Arts
- BJJ & MMA
- Self Defense
- Strength & Conditioning
- Personal Training

www.DefineDefense.com

1805 11th Street Suite B

Boulder, CO 80302