Jiu Jitsu in Portland @ RiverCityWarrior.com

The best Jiu Jitsu in Portland and the surrounding areas of Tigard, Lake Oswego, Tualatin and Sherwood. First generation Black Belt instruction with over 40 years experience. Shred fat, get fit, learn self defense and meet good people at RiverCityWarrior.com

[rivercitywarrior]

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZezVGnozII)

A glimpse of our youth BJJ class in Tigard. Kids who have been doing Gracie Jiu Jitsu for a few years are unstoppable! BJJ is a great activity for kids and helps them develop confidence as they become more proficient at self defense. If you’re in the Lake Oswego or Tigard area we are just minutes away. Show your kids how to be awesome by enrolling them in Jiu Jitsu today!

[jiujitsuportland]

When I was a kid all that was available for Martial Arts in the area was a litany of Tae Kwon Do and faux animal styles. I remember getting a black belt in “take ones doh” before the age of 14! It rapidly became a meaningless achievement as I continued to study other varietals like Gracie Jiu Jitsu pictured here. By the time I made it to a quality BJJ instructor I was 27 years old! It’s not that I came late to the party, there just wasn’t any qualified instructors as the movement started to take root in Portland. 

To this day there aren’t many instructors with the credentials of Pedro Sauer or Anibal Lobo. These guys trained directly with Helio Gracie and his son Rickson. My jealously meter ticks up sometimes when I see the kids at RCW in Tigard getting the genuine article as they just start out in life. I know just how far they can go and there’s no end to the depth of BJJ they’ll be able to discover if they stick with it. 

My parents on the other hand we’ll never forget what it took to achieve my black belt: $500 for the testing fees! 

Give them something legitimate instead, if you’re near Lake Oswego, Tigard or Tualatin, RCW is right around the corner doing great BJJ classes for kids all the time. 

[rivercitywarrior]

Training BJJ at any age is a gateway to self improvement. It’s habit forming, and for me seeing our guys and girls crush their goals is inspiring. Keep it up Team Pedro Sauer and RCW! We are learning more than just Jiu Jitsu here. We are doing more than getting in shape. It’s something that’s missing from the day to day of modern living. Real people taking real action, way to go team!! @pedro_sauer_official_ #BJJ #jiujitsu #team pedrosauer #graciejiujitsu #selfdefnese #goodpeople #livingthedream (at River City Warriors)

[jiujitsuportland]

Oss! Training brings people together, everywhere I've trained that's been of high quality has been like family. One of the major signs of a high functioning school besides the awesome information, is the relationship of all the instructors and the students.

When you find a place like that, drop an anchor!

[rivercitywarrior]

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBd5AKLVJDM)

In response to the Gracie Breakdown below. Here’s our students honing their bully proof skills in action. BJJ classes are fun and dynamic and teach kids life skills AND a martial art they will never outgrow. 

Other forms of training with a lot of fancy jump kicking are rapidly closing their doors. That’s because Jiu Jitsu is the real deal and many of our students like the young man shown here transition right into our adult classes. Kids in a martial art like BJJ gain self confidence backed up by substance and become a great example for other students at their school. We hope you enjoy!

[jiujitsuportland]

Oss! What a good kid! BJJ can do wonders for confidence and spirit. I wish I had known the art when I was getting bullied in school.

[rivercitywarrior]

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWaKVKtd9to)

In Kali class earlier this week. Combining the Hubud, a practical pummeling and entanglement exercise with the Wing Chun principles. Here’s a simple flow that we did in Jeet Kune Do class at the Tigard location.

This drill provides the fundamentals of proper range and tactile awareness. Layers of it will be used in sparring but you wouldn’t see two people permanently attached at the same range. Think of it more like the wrestling drills of wakizashi or wrist pummeling. The pattern helps orientate the student into the correct position with proper timing and build those foundations in muscle memory. 

In our JKD class we have all skill levels from beginner to advanced and follow the Inosanto curriculum directly. For the closest local source to JKD in Portland, look no further than River City Warriors. 

[jiujitsuportland]

Tactile drills are a common thread among martial arts, I like it!

[rivercitywarrior]

Smack! Defanging the snake as we say in Kali. William demonstrates some perfect range. He’s been training in our adult class the past few years and really knows his stuff! #kali #filipino #escrima #escrimasticks #longrange #selfdefense #defense (at River City Warriors)

At RCW we follow the Inosanto curriculum and our instructors are fully certified. We are one of very few JKD schools in operation today. Come be a part of our growing family in Tigard and find real world self defense, new friends, and unlock your potential. For those of you new to the subject Jeet Kune Do is Bruce Lee’s art and methodology. It is the pioneering system of using mixed martial arts for defense rather than sport. Kali is the warrior arts of the Philippines and involves the use of axes, swords, knives, blunt objects and several other manner of handheld tools. This creates a versatile practitioner; think Jason Bourne or the Book of Eli films and you’ve got the idea. In fact, groups from the Inosanto academy choreographed those movies. Life is short, learn something with substance! RCW is the place to train in Oregon for Jeet Kune Do and Kali, come check out a class for free and see what it can do for you.

[jiujitsuportland]

Kali is the business! Definitely gives an advantage to real world self defense. BJJ can compliment knife training too! Give your game an edge.

[rivercitywarrior]

Aleca is doing something she’d never thought she’d do. BJJ and Muay Thai at RCW has become a core component of her life. She’s fit, healthy and makes the dudes contort into silly faces. She’s one of our newest blue belts which means she has over 160 hours of classes. Everyone can learn martial arts especially when you’re having as much fun as we do at #rivercitywarriors #bjj #bluebelt #womensselfdefense #martialarts #muaythai #graciegirl #lakeoswego #tigard

[jiujitsuportland]

Gracie Jiu Jitsu for all! We've been shouting it for years, if you're really doing the gentle art then everyone can have fun with BJJ. Time to jump in! River City Warriors has ongoing BJJ classes for men, women and children in the Tigard/Lake Oswego area.

[rivercitywarrior]

Ken dropping a little stack pass tonight. This is one of the basics in the Pedro Sauer curriculum. He’s rolling a little no gi tonight but the guy’s been at Jiu Jitsu and martial arts since before 2000. Ken knows just stuff and it’s always good to see him in class, one of the friendliest funny guys in the mat. #goodpeople #bestman #comedy #comedian #darthvader #darcevader #pedrosauer #graciejiujitsu #bjj #getinshape #tigard #martialarts (at River City Warriors)

[jiujitsuportland]

Boom! Great people on Tigard doing great BJJ

[rivercitywarrior]

Ended the weekend with an epic roll…. with Professor Sauer! It was an honor and a privilege and I can’t thank the master enough for sharing Gracie Jiu Jitsu so generously. Plus it’s fun to get utterly schooled by your hero. Bye I never passed his guard. #noway #thisguy #unforgettable #pedrosauer #pedrosauerteam #graciejiujitsu #bjj #brazilianjiujitsu #aniballobo (at Anibal Lobo Jiu-Jitsu Academy)

[jiujitsuportland]

Woo hoo! When people talk about lineage and pedigree, there's few instructors who can match up to Professor Pedro Sauer. One if the first people to ever receive a black belt from Helio Gracie who's last name wasn't the same. He's been continuing the legacy, and evolving his family's method of Jiu Jitsu for 40 some years.

There's just some vast differences the further away you move from the source. Many people in the sport know Jiu Jitsu means the gentle art, but they think it's a running joke. That's because they haven't trained with someone like Master Sauer. The BJJ present in our organization requires little effort, but maximizes the result. This means you can train longer, safer, or if you haven't started BJJ yet you'll feel comfortable since your partners will be light and easy going. At the same time you can immediately see the efficacy of the method and if there's any doubters they can look to all our 2015 gold and silver medals. We also won a silver trophy for most team victories last year as well.

In my mind without a doubt this is the best way. No sore fingers, no messed up ears, no hurt joints, just Gracie Jiu Jitsu that works on and off the mat. It'll make you some friends, improve your social life and your outlook. Check out real Gracie Jiu Jitsu today at River City Warriors.

[rivercitywarrior]

Boxing and Muay Thai Kickboxing class at RCW

Last week we covered a variety of slip drills and evasive head movement as it relates to boxing. This week we continue the trend in Muay Thai as the use of the slip, bob and weave, and other evasions are performed under different context in Muay Thai.

Kickboxing is known as the science of eight limbs, they count the two knees and elbows as part of the physiology. As such with more tools available there’s a greater range of offensive and defensive knowledge required when compared to boxing. Both are incredible chess games with the human body and tons of fun. Yet both are unique in their approach, footwork, mechanics and delivery. Often the similarities pay off and make learning one method a natural fit for the other.

Other pieces like stance can be mission critical that you know the difference. For instance a wide stance as demonstrated here is great for punching power in western boxing and allows the trunk to be more nimble. In Thai Boxing it exposes the leg to the heavy kick and inhibits mobility. Sometimes in the UFC you can observe this when the fighter with the wide stance repeatedly takes shots to the leg.

It’s important if you pick an MMA coach or start taking kickboxing classes that your coaches understand the unique approach required for cross training. At RIver City Warriors we offer a variety of stand up classes in Tigard including Muay Thai, Boxing, MMA, Grappling, and Jeet Kune Do (Bruce Lee’s method.)

Don’t be fooled by others who say MMA is a simple blend of a little bit of this or that. At RCW you’ll find experts who’ve spent decades in each program studying them individually and as a cross training regimen. We can do the same for you, and you’ll find it a rewarding education. Casual in our attitude, serious about the training, welcome to RCW.

[jiujitsuportland]

Absolutely! A lot of people put this same boxing drill up at full speed. This is a great step by step breakdown, once you get it down try combining other drills, footwork and defense.

Boxing is great!

[rivercitywarrior]

The hardest part about getting great training results? Simple, it’s getting started! 

The biggest barriers to an activity that will change your life happen before you ever begin! Any time you start a new habit, the mental preparation and expectations perceived can put you in a mental grid lock. You want to check out Kickboxing, but nervousness and angst set in. 

In life sometimes when opportunity knocks, you’ve got to kick the door in! At RCW we’re aces when it comes to teaching beginners. We’ve had thousands of people come through our doors over the years and the majority of all people who start training with us at our Tigard location stick for more than one year. It’s because it doesn’t matter if you pick up Muay Thai (kickboxing), Gracie Jiu Jitsu (grappling) or JKD (Bruce Lee’s method) we have a detailed curriculum and a step by step process that leads to success. In fact, we’ve never had someone who was “unteachable” or incapable of learning the skills we’re covering every day. 

The hesitation from beginning any new endeavor comes from the perceived notion and fear that makes starting worse than it is. Everyone who checks out our Muay Thai class loves it! The only people who don’t are still on the couch! 

Luckily, it’s easy to get through this if you have a PLAN. Whenever you start a new endeavor if you just feel STUCK before you get started write out a plan logically. It’ll remove some of the fear, and the key is, it’ll help you move forward even when you’re afraid. We tell kids this all the time right, courage doesn’t mean an absence of fear but the ability to work through it and still achieve our goals. A small written plan will really help you get going and it’ll take the fear out of each individual step. If you want to go a bit further write down or visualize how you’ll feel after you’ve started. What benefits have you gained, imagine yourself already attaining what you want. 

Once you get started, you’re going to blow yourself away. Once you start doing something good for yourself it’s hard to go back to the old you. If you try something empowering like Kickboxing, you’ll never want to imagine giving it up. Take some small steps in toward any endeavor, and you’ll see that it’s only the small fears that hold you back from the big goals in your life. 

[jiujitsuportland]

Bam! Martial arts have always been a key component in my life for motivation and drive. They put you in the present moment and everything else just fades away. I would never have been the goal setter go getter I am today without the Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu training I've done in Portland over the years.

[rivercitywarrior]

The best Gracie Jiu Jitsu in Portland. Now with more proof.

One of the main goals of the staff at RCW is to continue learning. This goes for our head black belt instructor Anibal Lobo who teaches several times a week. Anibal received his credentials directly from Rickson Gracie and Pedro Sauer, not to mention he grew up training with Helio Gracie and his sons in Brazil. As if it couldn’t get any more legitimate than that, Anibal spends his vacation time traveling to see his friends like Rickson and Kron, always learning.

The rest of us are no slouches either. We do have several competitors, we took all first and second place among divisions last week at ground warrior. Jiu Jitsu is about more than just the next tournament, and even though we’ll be representing Oregon at Pan Ams, Jiu Jitsu is about life long learning at any age.

This is why I jumped at the chance to travel to California. I spent the weekend training with the legendary Dan Inosanto. Monday I decided to head to the Gracie Academy in Torrence. To my surprise Grandmaster Rorion Gracie was teaching the class. He just showed up out of the blue and wanted to lead a great session on self defense. That’s Jiu Jitsu for street applications and is a real rarity in the sport Bjj world. Lucky for us Professor Anibal teaches the entire self defense curriculum from Rickson and Pesro Sauer. I was well prepared and felt right at home.

Grandmaster Rorion said “it’s my job, if I want to be a good teacher, and I am a good teacher, that you learn certain things.”

That’s exactly our philosophy at RCW. I love to travel to see my mentors, but even more than that I live to share the source with our students. That’s what good training is about, sharing the world famous and expert sources -the best content available in the world with our students. Believe it or not this isn’t the norm, and it’s not how I grew up. I scratched and clawed and built lasting relationships and it came like a slow drip. At RCW our community has a huge benefit, they don’t have to wait for information. We pour out our heart for the student and give them every opportunity.

Did I mention next month Master Pedro Sauer will be here? This train just keeps rolling! We welcome anyone to come and check out the school if you haven’t already. You’ll see and feel the difference from day one. We’d be happy to have you as part of our community.

[jiujitsuportland]

Rickson Gracie, Pedro Sauer, Luis Heredia, Rey Diego, Royler Gracie, Relson Gracie, Rorion Gracie, Anibal Lobo, just a few of the incredible coaches I've been able to work with because of Lobo Jiu Jitsu and River City Warrior. It might be a small place in Tigard, but they sure have the goods when it comes to BJJ and Jiu Jitsu in Portland.

[rivercitywarrior]

Self Defense!

The best of the best, people like Rickson Gracie and Pedro Sauer have gone on record on the importance of self defense. In the context of BJJ/Gracie Jiu Jitsu it refers to preparing for the worst case scenario.

Flying arm bars are great at a tournament, and a valid technique. Not so much if you’re on concrete in a parking garage, or if there’s multiple assailants. We refer to any situation standing up or on the ground where strikes are being thrown, or situations where non-sport related Jiu Jitsu is being used as self defense.

From our White Belt to Blue belt curriculum that spans 1.5-2 years the student learns 35 core self defense moves. This one is a variant of the headlock defense and is a great example. A person with solid BJJ is never going to out you in this type of standing hold, and try to throw punches at you. However, on the street it’s a different story, and whether you’re a teenager or starting Jiu Jitsu over 40 it’s priceless information.

Master Sauer has even said, if you’re not doing self defense in your classes you’re not doing real Gracie Jiu Jitsu. At RCW we are very fortunate to have his child hood friend And first generation black belt Anibal Lobo on site to dole out the goods. If you’re looking for a well rounded program, this is it. We will make sure start to finish that you have a foundation of skills you can actually use in the real world.

We’ll also show you that flying arm bar when you’re ready.

[jiujitsuportland]

Self defense is key. Grandmaster Rorion even touched on it a few days after we penned thus write up! BJJ is a great sport, but it should also prepare you for the real world off the mat.

[rivercitywarrior]

Women looking to be fit, confident, and capable love our #bjj classes in Tigard. River City Warriors has a family friendly BJJ program encompassing men, women and teens. Combine that with our exclusive BJJ Amazon class and RCW is a place where women connect, build relationships, and learn real Jiu Jitsu that works. Our student Tanya (holding BJJ book) was hooked immediately and now attends Jiu Jitsu 3-4 days a week! She’s crushing it, and you can too. Become a better you, check out RCW and you’ll feel home from the moment you walk in! #BJJ #bjjwomen #graciegirl #graciejiujitsu #jiujitsu #jujitsu #bjjlifestyle #tigard #lakeoswego #portland #pedrosauerteam #yoga #fit #ballet #fitness #keepit100 #crushing (at River City Warriors)

[jiujitsuportland]

It was pretty impressive tonight to see nearly 50% of the students were women. Bjj has rally opened up in Portland as a sport for everyone. It's been awesome to see the evolution, I bet in 10 years it'll be even more rooted as a household name.

Jiu Jitsu for life!

[rivercitywarrior]

High level BJJ instructor Erik returns to the mat the day after his wedding to deliver a phenom class on the “hip escape” from cross body. Coach Erik has an eye for detail and a method of explanation that helps everybody learn. The Gracie Jiu Jitsu class in Portland is for all people. For the greater good! #selfdefense #newyou #fittofight #bjj #graciegirl #pedrosauerteam #getinshape #getinspired #lakeoswego #onelove (at River City Warriors)

[jiujitsuportland]

BJJ is about the camaraderie. And the fitness. And the friendships. And the self defense. And living social. And working out. And surfing with your buds.

#onelove

[rivercitywarrior]

New Years resolution? Been there. Done that. It was called August. In the fall when people are hibernating Nizal Khan joined our Muay Thai program at RCW. He just won our December contest for best attendance showing up for 24 classes in 20 days! Nizal has lost almost 20 lbs, he says his close fit better and more than anything he thanked us for creating a place he just loves to be at. Get started now folks, by March you could be crushing goals like my man here. #rcw #rivercitywarriors #muaythai #portland #kickboxing #fittofight #newyear #newyou (at River City Warriors)

[jiujitsuportland]

24 classes in 20 days! That's legit, it's always the hard working students who BECOME the most TALENTED.

[rivercitywarrior]

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WFNo0n4Jkc) 

Wing Chun is a foundational skill in Bruce Lee’s JKD

One of the most valuable assets it provides is the ability to stay firmly inside the boxers middle range, but just outside of the range of the elbow. The goal is to occupy and take possession of the inside position. Much like in Muay Thai where you want the inside control of the neck for the clinch to knee. 

That depth in Wing Chun can add another layer to your knowledge of range and timing. This is an video example of a foundational drill to gain the concept of this range known as the “Don Chi.” 

In the most basic terms using this example we can establish these ranges as kicking, out boxing, middle range boxing, Wing Chun and trapping, knees and elbows, clinching and grappling. Using Wing Chun as a great transitionary range it retains its functionality. It gives you something to use during the space and time between pugilistic and the efficacy of the elbow. 

In a sense it’s very singular in purpose, but I believe it has solid value in modern training methods. In today’s MMA one could be an incredible wrestler, or accomplished boxer, judo player etc. All of those are arts built on one specific range. That’s exactly how we can look at Wing Chun. A wrestler who dominates the field can take that one skill and own the UFC championship or defend themselves  and their family. However in a sporting sense, they could find themselves out of their depth if they don’t become well rounded in today’s modern JKD and MMA. In closing I think under the right circumstances and situations Wing Chun is an incredible tool. At the very least it enhances ones knowledge of ranges, the center position, and lends a solid guard position to defend the midsection.  This is just a handful of reasons why Wing Chun is still taught in our Jeet Kune Do class in Portland as well as other Inosanto affiliated schools around the world.

[jiujitsuportland]

The original MMA, OG y'all. Bruce Lee had cross training figured out, I'm sure if he was alive today he'd be as diverse as his friend and living legend Dan Inosanto. The latter of whose received his BJJ black belt st 69 years old! Inosanto has also put decades into Muay Thai, which Bruce Lee was just starting to explore back in his time. It's interesting to see the evolution of the arts, and where JKD and MMA is today.

#roots

[rivercitywarrior]

Beware the “Master!”

In our western society we’ve attempted to blend myth and pop culture with reality. Growing up “masters” of martial arts were on every corner. However I never learned much from these so called experts. I guess the real point here is beware the marketing gimmick.

Pictured above we have someone without a doubt is one of the worlds most qualified instructors that ever lived: Dan Inosanto. From carrying the Jeet Kune Do legacy with Bruce Lee, to spreading Muay Thai with his dear friend Ajarn Chai, single handedly popularizing Kali/Escrima, and achieving a BJJ black belt in his late 60’s, his title: Teacher. That’s what Guro, Sifu, and Ajarn mean, teacher. In BJJ we use “Professor” sometimes, but it all reflects a student teacher relationship. Not some pseudo spiritual hierarchy to create a cult concept. Sifu when literally translated can be “Father” meaning someone who came before.

In my opinion growing up training since the 80s the cycle of hierarchy worship is one of the most dangerous and misleading martial art practices. There’s countless stories, and I have plenty myself, where this established paradigm leads to abuse. To a lesser extent this cycle leads to improper training, false education, and a typically an individual who will buy in to anything.

As science fiction author Tricia Sullivan describes “I’ve been a part of that cycle. When you realize what’s going on, it’s disheartening. And the more heavily you are invested in the hierarchy, the deeper the disillusionment, and the more difficult to throw away your investment. Even if your investment turns out to be shite. For years, even after I saw karate guys biting the dust against trained grapplers in the UFC cage, I believed that the great karate masters from my former school’s lineage had some special combative power that was too dangerous for the UFC.”

I’ve had students that spent small stints in arts like Krav Maga who came to us drinking the Kool Aid. It was obvious they had more to learn, but because they couldn’t relinquish their previous investment they had HUGE barriers to learning. They would tell us that if they could go full contact it would work. When I found full contact partners or offered myself, they whipped out the “oh no it’s too deadly.” Some of the braver ones to their credit got in the ring, once. Only to let us know they would never be back. (And we are far from rough)

By letting someone place a paradigm or system of beliefs over you, typically you will fight to defend it. Yes, like the matrix movies. The best people I have ever trained with and had the privilege to come away with something substantial were teachers. It’s a two way street, and that’s exactly how we approach all our martial arts in Tigard at RCW. You’ll find great instructors you can respect, and *gasp* you’ll even learn their first names! You’ll learn a ton, grow a lot, and if you move on you’ll do so from River City ready to learn and with no regrets.

[jiujitsuportland]

Absolutely, student and teacher is a two way street. It's a relationship, not subjugation. The best fighters and coaches in the UFC that I've met have solid personal relationships built on trust. Hero worship and a cult like mentality can really be misused in this industry. Respect has to be mutual, and goes both ways if you're going to have a great place to train at like River City Warriors,