The event was a huge success!  The goal was to raise $5000.00 and the last I heard the total reached an even $7000.00!!  So a big congratulations for everyone involved.  Also a huge thank you to Tim Sledd for taking the time to put this together, it could not have went off better.

Recently, BJJ has been receiving a lot of bad press on the East Coast.  The Indiana BJJ community however had none of that here in Indiana and put over 80 people on the mat at one time to train BJJ and to help people on the Autism Spectrum!

Not only did this bring in BJJ practitioners from all over the state but it also united 10 Hoosier Black Belts and 1 other from California.  As one of the participating Black Belts I felt a very strong sense of community.  Normally the only time you see this many BJJers from all over is under the pressure of a competition.  This was different, we were there with a purpose and we were all able to learn from each other and have a good time.

A big thank you to all of the sponsors and people that donated:

Vulcan Kimonos
Kauai Kimonos
Subculture Kimonos
Andre Galvao
Superbodycare ( Cheri Heberling )
Brad Maddox
James Clingerman (DVDs)
Roy Dean (DVDs
Randall (private lesson)
Chet Schemahorn (private lesson)
Dan Hornbuckle (private lesson)
Alan Stockman (3 month gym membership)

And each of the great instructors!!!

                                     Luiz Filho and Alan Stockman

A brief follow up to the seminar with Luiz Filho that took place last week on Friday, November 2nd.  Luiz and I go back a long way.  He was my first instructor in Brazil back in 1997.  I trained with Luiz until I was a 2-stripe blue belt.

I also found out something very interesting that I didn’t know about Luiz the night of the seminar.  Luiz began training BJJ in the 80s.  He ended up marrying Rherika Gracie, one of Helio’s daughters and trained in Rio.  His jiu jitsu then follows the style that Helio helped to evolve.  Luiz talks a lot about Rickson Gracie and models his own jiu jitsu after what he learned and observed from training with Rickson.

What I didn’t know about Luiz was that he actually trained for about a year with (Milton) Kimura.  I am unsure of the first name, so for the record, I may not have the first name correct, but I think I do:)

(Milton) Kimura was the grandson of the Kimura that defeated Helio Gracie during their famous challenge match.  Over dinner the day after the seminar I asked Luiz about this experience.  What I was so interested to hear is the difference between the jiu jitsu taught by Kimura and that taught by Helio.  Luiz is one of the few that have had the experience to train with both and that actually was able to see the difference of what Helio actually did with what they had originally learned from Conte Koma.

Anyhow, he mentioned that Helio made the jiu jitsu less physical and really sought out the leverage points to make the positions easier to execute for a smaller person.  That the Japanese version was more physical or athletic.  He also talked about how Kimura’s classes were much more formal that the Brazilian version.  ”Stand up straight”, “Tie your belt correctly”, that kind of stuff came out of Kimura’s school, where Helio’s academy was much more Brazilianized or laid back.

I thought that this was a very cool subject to talk to him about and was something that I never knew about my first instructor.

The seminar was 3 hours long.  Luiz showed some of his postural game that he is known for in the closed guard.  He also went through some of his favorite attacks from side control, turtle, and went on to answer a lot of questions and demonstrate techniques that everyone wanted to see.

Here at Carlson Gracie Team Indianapolis, we strive to bring in different Black Belts from all over.  Our goal is to demonstrate that while jiu jitsu is one art, there are many ways to do it.  Each person over time will develop their own games off of the techniques that they are exposed to.  There is no “one way” to play BJJ, but as a result of your personality, body type, flexibility, athelticism, and so on we each develop our own style eventually that best suits you.  The fundamental science behind the technques will always stay the same but way that we string them together and each of our strengths and weaknesses vary as a result of who we are.

For more information on upcoming events, keep an eye on our website or contact us!

See you on the mats!

Carlson Gracie Indianapolis Jiu Jitsu
916 E. Main St.
Suite 111
Greenwood, IN. 46143
317-979-4466

http://www.carlsongracieindy.com

           Luiz Filho and Kroyler Gracie Leao

What:  Brazilian Jiu Jitsu “Closed Guard” Seminar with Luiz Filho and Kroyler Gracie Leao

When:  Friday, November 2nd

Where:  Carlson Gracie Indianapolis Jiu Jitsu

How Much:  $75.00 prepay or $90.00 at the door

It is with great pleasure that I announce this upcoming seminar at Carlson Gracie Indianapolis Jiu Jitsu!  Luiz Filho and Kroyler Gracie Leao will be hosting a “Closed Guard” seminar at our gym on Friday, November 2nd.  It will be limited to the first 25 people, so you must sign up immediately!

Luiz Filho is a 6-stripe Black Belt under the Confederacao Brasileiro de Jiu Jitsu and the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation.  He is known for his attacking closed guard game and brings with him decades of experience.  Luiz was also my first instructor in Fortaleza, Brazil, and  good friend.

His son Kroyler Gracie Leao, a grandson of BJJ founder and Grandmaster Helio Gracie will also be in attendance.  Kroyler successfully competes all over the world and is also known for a fierce attacking closed guard game.

Both will be at our school to show the secrets and details behind having a successful closed guard.  They will talk about strategy, how to think, and help to understand the proper body mechanics and timing behind making your closed guard more effective.

Call 317-979-4466 or contact us through the website immediately to reserve your spot now!

See you on the mats!

Carlson Gracie Indianapolis Jiu Jitsu
916 E. Main St.
Suite 111
Greenwood, IN. 46143
317-979-4466

http://www.carlsongracieindy.com

The Greenwood Jiu Jitsu scene will be heating up this summer (like we need more of that) with another great seminar.  Come out and train with Carlson Gracie Jr on Tuesday evening, July 31st from 7-9pm.  He will be working on the half guard position and deep half guard.  It is open to anyone from any affiliation, so come out and train with us!

What:  Carlson Gracie Jr Half Guard Seminar

When:  July 31st, 2012 from 7-9pm

How Much:  $30.00 per person

Where:  Carlson Gracie Indianapolis Jiu Jitsu
916 E. Main St.
Suite 111
Greenwood, IN. 46143
317-979-4466

http://www.carlsongracieindy.com

June of 2012 brought us to our 1 year anniversary.  We are proud to be here for our first year, bringing Indianapolis and Greenwood great Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instruction.  Year one ushered in a lot of great new students and friends and year two will be even better.

We also had quite a few other Black Belts come through the doors to teach seminars and workshops.  Joe Moreira, Travis Haynes, Wally Holem, Rey Diogo, Todd Brown, and Carlson Gracie Jr.  We will continue to bring guys through in year two!

In addition to great overall success, year two also began with a lot of new color.  Last week 8 guys were promoted to Blue Belt.  In BJJ to be promoted to Blue Belt you have to show an overall competence of certain fundamental techniques through practice, repitition, and then through their use in sparring.  Here we have a Fundamentals Class that is made up of 40 classes, each one containing 3-4 fundamental techniques shown in sequence to aid in learning.  These are the fundamentals blocks to build your BJJ base from.

Earning Blue Belts last week were:  Mike Augst, Michael Brandow, Ian Bravard, Rocky France, Mark Ianigro, Kyle Kemp, Mark McCleese, and Nathan Pittman.  Congrats to these guys for their hard work and dedication!

See you on the mats!

Carlson Gracie Indianapolis Jiu Jitsu
916 E. Main St.
Suite 111
Greenwood, IN. 46143
317-979-4466

http://www.carlsongracieindy.com

Last week we had Carlson Gracie Team Black Belt Ricardo “Rey” Diogo out for a 2 hour seminar.  Like always Rey delivered.  He covered a lot of technique starting in the stand up and finishing with some half guard defenses.

Once thing when you train with Rey, you always get a simplistic approach to everything and solid technique with an emphasis to the details of the positions and the strategy behind applying them.

Everyone at Carlson Gracie Indianapolis Jiu Jitsu thanks Rey for visiting our school and we all look forward to next time!

Carlson Gracie Indianapolis Jiu Jitsu is located on Indy’s South side.  The school owner and head instructor, Alan Stockman, is a Carlson Gracie Team Black Belt with over 15 years experience.  For more information on training with us, becoming an affiliate, or having Alan out for a seminar, contact us!

See you on the mats!

Carlson Gracie Indianapolis Jiu Jitsu
916 E. Main St.
Suite 111
Greenwood, IN. 46143
317-979-4466

http://www.carlsongracienindy.com

What:  BJJ Seminar with Carlson Gracie Team Black Belt Alan Stockman
When:  Saturday, June 2nd, 10am to Noon
How Much:  $20.00 per person
Where:
Midwest Martial Arts
200 Lincolnway East
Osceola, IN.
574-966-5311

http://www.michianamma.com

I’ll be covering a lot of different sequences that are part of my game.  I urge anyone to come and check it out.  Afterwards we will train until we are tired.  Looking forward to it!!

Afterwards at the Century Center is the MFL.  Door open at 4pm fights start at 6pm.  Looking forward to a full day of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and then the best MMA that Michiana has to offer!

See you on the mats!

        Alan Stockman, Pat McPherson, Andrew Holbrook, Garrett Whiteley

Last week at the Indy PAL club in Indianapolis saw 3 guys get promoted in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.  Each have worked hard and have earned these ranks with hard work and tons of hours on the mat.  Rank in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu doesn’t come easy or often.  There are only 3 belts between white and black belt and the journey can span between 6 and 10 years… sometimes even more.  Therefore, recognition is deserved each step of the way.

Pat McPherson is one of the head coaches at IndyPAL.  He was a long time instructor and one of the first Integrated Fighting coaches in Indianapolis.  He has coached a who’s who list of UFC vets and other notable MMA fighters.  Pat has been training in boxing, wrestling and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for years.  He is also an Indianapolis Police Officer.  Pat was promoted to Brown Belt, a very high achievement.
Andrew Holbrook has a strong wrestling back ground.  He wrestled on the collegiate level in Michigan and made his way down to Indianapolis a few years ago.  He is an aspiring MMA fighter that is currently working on all disciplines.  Recently he won a Golden Gloves competition.  Andrew also puts on the gi and trains Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to balance out his ground game.  Last month he won his division in the gi at the EGO Grappling Tournament in Greenwood, Indiana.  Andrew was promoted to Blue Belt.

Garrett Whiteley has also been training with this ground for many years.  He is very well rounded and knows how to win.  He has competed in boxing, MMA, and grappling tournaments for 3-4 years.  2 years ago he won his gi division at the C3 Jiu Jitsu Tournament in Hammond, Indiana.  Garrett was promoted to Blue Belt.
All 3 were promoted by Carlson Gracie Team Black Belt Alan Stockman.  Alan owns and run Carlson Gracie Indianapolis Jiu Jitsu.  For more information on training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the Indianapolis area, contact us!

Carlson Gracie Indianapolis Jiu Jitsu
916 E. Main St.
Suite 111
Greenwood, IN. 46143
317-979-4466

http://www.carlsongracieindy.com

                      Group picture after a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Class at Indy PAL

The Carlson Gracie Indianapolis Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Team showed great success last month at the EGO BJJ Event.  The Team took 2nd place overall and showed why they belong to the Greenwood Jiu Jitsu scene.

Here is a team pic minus a couple members that weren’t able to stick around.  April 28th, 2012, we sent over 9 competitors and came home with a total of 6 1sts places and a couple of 2nds!  It was a great showing for everyone that went.

We will be preparing for the Hoosier Open on June 9th and then the IBJJF Chicago Open on August 18th.  Also in the mix we have a few students competing at the MFL (Michiana Fight League) on June 2nd.  Andrew Holbrook, Alannah Yates, and Garreck Gabbard will be testing their skills in the cage as they go to compete in South Bend and test their abilities at Mixed Martial Arts.

Anyone interested in training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and/or joining the world renowned Carlson Gracie Team just click on this link for more information!  See you on the mats!

Carlson Gracie Indianapolis Jiu Jitsu Schedule

Budovideos did a great job of streaming this event live to every one and the Pan Ams this year was HUGE! There were a lot of big names showing up to defend their titles and a lot more talent coming in to try their luck.

The Black Belt Absolute was especially interesting with 2 great semi-final matches: Kron Gracie vs. Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida and Bernando Faria vs Antonio Carlos Jr. Watch this!!

*also props to Budovideos for releasing this on YouTube for everyone to enjoy!

If you are in the Indianapolis area and looking for Indianapolis Jiu Jitsu classes, contact us today!

Carlson Gracie Indianapolis Jiu Jitsu
http://www.carlsongracieindy.com