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News  Dick Kotasek Jiu-Jitsu is many things to many people but to Richard (Dick) Kotasek it is the fountain of youth. Dick is a brown belt under 2nd degree black belt Greg Nelson and Professor Pedro Sauer at the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy. At 68 years young, Kotasek may have been the oldest competitor in the 2010 Pan. Dick has been doing BJJ for 18 years and is also a judo black belt. His background is from the Minneapolis drug task force and still works with law enforcement showing Gracie self defense tactics. Pretty amazing especially if you consider that he's competed in the Pan Ams as a blue belt, purple belt, and now brown belt medalling at all levels. The next time you think you are too old to train or compete think of Dick's living example of dedication and commitment! Little Kids Class Forming!added
04/08/10 We will be starting a new kids program for children 4 to 6 years old. This program will focus in games that will teach children basic Jiu-Jitsu movements in a fun and safe environment. Please contact us by phone or email for more information! Give your children the tools they need to effectively deal with bullies! Promotions!added 11/04/09 We are very happy to announce the promotion of Michael and Antonio Bandiera to Blue and Yellow belt respectively. They began training only 8 months ago but they trained hard and often. Their hard work paid off as they performed the blue belt curriculum (and then some) entirely. It is a true inspiration to see father and son training and learning together. Please join me in congratulating Michael and Antonio on their well- deserved promotion.  Intro to Yoga!added 11/02/09 Our academy will be hosting a special yoga session for our students and the public in general. Certified Yoga Instructor Donna Owens will be teaching a FREE yoga session on Monday, November 16th from 5:45pm until 7:15pm. This session is available to everyone regardless of age, gender or experience. Space will be limited so please email us or call us to confirm. Click HERE for more information! Check out the link below for a short biography of Helio Gracie and interview... RICKSON GRACIE: Seminar Report by Kid Peligro added 05/05/09 On March 14 & 15, 2009 Rickson Gracie conducted a seminar in Nashville, TN. It was his first US seminar in many years. The seminar was hosted by Eric Silver and was completely sold out in hours with 200 attendees. Eric sent us this report and photos: RICKSON GRACIE’S RETURN TO THE US-NASHVILLE, TN By Eric Silver March 14th and 15th, Nashville, Tennessee was privileged to host the long awaited return of Rickson Gracie, the last samurai, to the teaching arena. Word of the event spread like wildfire through the jiu-jitsu community and all 200 spaces for his seminar sold out in a little more than a week. Students from California to New York of every belt color, including thirty black-belts, came for a taste of “water from the source”. With mats covering almost every inch of the McGavock High School gymnasium floor, attendees erupted into applause as the master entered. Rickson opened by thanking everyone for being present and talked lovingly about the work of his father. “My dad was an inventor. I have been able to improve on what he developed. I was happy that before he passed I was able to show him even better ways to do the techniques he invented,” Rickson stated humbly. Assisted by Humaita black-belts Renato Barreto and Eduardo Mano, Rickson mesmerized the crowd for four three-hour sessions. Students were captivated by subtle technical details in the most basic positions: mount, mount escapes, side control, headlock escapes, armlock, body to body connection, breathing etc. Rickson invited participants to demonstrate their technique as he analyzed their performances. After each had shown their best, he would reveal the missing pieces. Even Professor Pedro Sauer submitted to Rickson’s critical evaluation during the seminar. He commented, “Everything I’ve always told my students was proven: that Rickson is a truly gifted person with an incredible knowledge and a great personality.” Rickson’s personable approach was surprising to some, as he injected warmth and humor throughout the rigorous schedule of events. He remained available to everyone who sought assistance and held nothing back as he repeated techniques hundreds of times with all the students who requested his guidance. Longtime Rickson black-belt, Rodrigo Vaghi, added, “Rickson is the best. He transforms jiu jitsu in a way no one else is capable of and opens our minds so that we have no limitations where our jiu-jitsu can go”. Black-belt and ’06 US Open Judo Gold Medalist, Joel Gingery commented, “Rickson is absolutely amazing and has revived my passion for jiu-jitsu and the quest for excellence in my game.” Such a quest has been the theme of Rickson’s life. Through rigorous training, strict dietary guidelines and the constant refinement of basic technique, he has become a living, breathing example of every martial artist’s ultimate goal: minimal effort, maximum effect. In ways almost imperceptible to the onlookers, Rickson consistently demonstrated how his “invisible” techniques could transform their jiu-jitsu or life into something far more effective and far less laborious. One student summed up his experience by saying, “ The seminar for me was not only an awakening for my practice in jiu-jitsu, but a spiritual and emotional one as well. Everything I know has been revolutionized.” Always direct to the point, the master commented, “This is good”.  HELIO GRACIE October 1, 1913 - January 29, 2009 Click here for Helio Gracie's last interview!
in Petropolis (RJ) Brazil. Helio Gracie devoted his life to the development, instruction and spreading of the art of Jiu-Jitsu throughout the world. I am in shock and deeply saddened by the passing of Grand Master Helio Gracie. If there ever was someone who could be called superman (IMO) he was. Not only did this man attain his full potential (against great odds), but he also developed a universal system for self-defense and changed the whole world in the process. He was courageous and a true warrior. I can say for myself that Helio Gracie has had (and will have) a great impact in my life. I've also seen the impact he's had in many others including my team-mates and students. I feel honored to have been able to shake his hand and learn from him. To his sons, his daughters and grandchildren... my thoughts and prayers are with you and I hope you feel great comfort in the fact that he left a great mark and will never be forgotten! Helio Gracie, Rest in Peace. Jorge Jimenez - January 29, 2009 PSJJA Louisville KY Fall Camp: added 11/16/08 Allan Manganelo and Louisville Martial Arts Academy hosted a fall camp this past weekend featuring 4th degree Black Belt Luis "Limao" Heredia and Red and Black Belts Pedro Sauer and Relson Gracie. In all, 12 hours of great Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Techniques for self-defense and sport. Attendees included many Black Belts from around our association and over 70 students on the mat. Once again we had the opportunity to see why our own Pedro Sauer was named best Jiu-Jitsu instructor with his very effective crossbody-bottom self-defense techniques. We were also treated to some great takedown techniques as well as great control and finishing moves on the ground from "Limao". Relson Gracie closed the deal with a great demonstration of powerful techniques from the crossbody top and bottom positions, guard passing and submissions. If you missed it, that's your loss.... but there will be other opportunities to see these guys in action and I hope you will be there next time. Here are some shots I took during the event.  Pedro Sauer, Jorge Jimenez, Relson Gracie.  Pedro Sauer, Jorge Jimenez, Luis "Limao" Heredia.  Jake Johnston, Jorge Jimenez, Justin Christopher, Jim Kelly. Now get on the mat and train! Promotions: added 9/9/08  CONGRATULATIONS!!  FREE OPEN TRAINING added 1/29/08
Thank you James Saccomano added 9/6/07 We would like to thank my good friend James Saccomano for coming to the academy from time to time and sharing his Jiu-Jitsu knowledge with us. James is a black belt under Walt Bayless and has been training in the martial arts for many years. You couldn’t meet a nicer guy….. Thanks James!  |
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