New beginnings

Last week, I made a conscious decision to seek another BJJ school to continue my quest to learn and understand Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Two schools came to my mind – Gracie Barra London Bridge (ECBJJ) helmed by Eduardo Carriello and BJJ School headed by Leao Texeira and Felipe Alvez de Souza. Both are established schools and appear to provide excellent tuition to their students. I have been to ECBJJ last December to attend the Braulio Estima seminar (amazing, by the way) and liked the atmosphere there as they seem to be a good bunch. My only gripe is that the classes start quite late in the evening and from my experience over at Carlson’s, by the time I get home, shower, eat, wind down and get ready for bed, it’d be in the early hours of the following day.

So on Monday, I went to BJJ School in Battersea to try out their free week. Keith was kind enough to accompany me there for the beginners’ class. Keith was also school-hunting, and has been to several different schools in the past several weeks. To be honest, I actually went to Battersea on Sunday to do a recon of the place and check transport options and such. I am one of those people who get anxious with new places and meeting new people, so if I can, I try to address and eliminate these issues one-by-one, if I can.

I must say, the school is very decent and the people are very welcoming. Leoni Munslow and Felipe de Souza themselves were there and were warm and hospitable.  I need to add that Ed Brown, a BJJ School brown belt and owner of the Ed Brown Functional Fitness, has invited me several times to come train and I am pleased to have finally taken up his offer.

The beginners’ class was like Ronseal – it exactly does what it says on the tin. Despite having a smattering of blues in the class, it was a class geared for beginners. The instructor would show one technique (two at most, but interconnected) and we’d drill it until we got it. Then it was positional sparring using the technique, then a quick couple of rounds of general sparring. That is a very effective way to make full use of an hour’s time, in my opinion. I went back on Wednesday to attend James Carey’s class. Same format albeit with a quick warm up at the start of the class.

The good thing with going to BJJ School is that the beginners’ classes start early, which means that I can get home early and allow me to spend time with my family. There is an advanced class after the beginners’ class that fellow Kamon BJJ crew Little Steve attends but I feel that it is too complex for me at the moment. I am able to tweak my work hours so I could leave earlier on those days and just stay a bit later on the other days to make up the time.

Keith was also pleased with the class time and the general level of instruction that he decided to join the BJJ School full-time.

As for me, you could see the new logo on this blog...

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I would like to thank Master Kevin Chan, Dante, purple belt Steve, Galvatron, and the rest of the Kamon BJJ Croydon crew for welcoming me into the school last year. It is sad to leave and seek another school, especially as you have made me feel part of the group and have shared your knowledge, time, and energy with me, as we journey into the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The BJJ world is small and close-knit, and I am sure we will meet each other in the near future and you can continue to submit and tap me out. ;)