Project Sparrow
March 17, 2008
The US Blackbelt Academy (USBA) in Laguna Niguel has introduced an initiative called Project Sparrow. Project Sparrow is a scholarship program for children, ages 3-18, who aspire to be positive role models in the community, but are unable to afford the cost of tuition at the Academy. USBA will donate $50,000 in scholarship funding annually divided amongst approximately 50 children who meet the requirements of Project Sparrow.
Each student must submit an application in order to qualify. Once the students are chosen to receive a scholarship, they will enter into one of the beginner six-month programs. If these students remain in good standing with the Academy, they will hopefully be able to continue to pursue martial arts at USBA beyond the six-month program completely free of charge.
USBA strives to educate its students on training and maintaining mind, body, and spirit in a positive environment. The Academy develops principles such as self-control, respect, integrity, and self-confidence.
If you would like more information, know of a child who fits the criteria, or would like an application, please contact the staff at USBA.
New Feature List Grows!
March 16, 2008
Now showing on USBA Pride…schedules of USBA classes and calendars of special events! Under the “Schedule” tab at the top of each page, you’ll find two dropdown menu choices. The first is “Class Schedules”, which features the daily/weekly schedules for all age groups and all curriculum choices. Below that is “Event Calendars”, with upcoming events listed for six months, to help us all plan ahead!
Click on any thumbnail (small picture) on either page, and you’ll get a large versions of the calendar or schedule that you can view or print.
New Curriculum Block Begins Monday
March 14, 2008
As a reminder, next week is the beginning of our new curriculum block. Beginning Monday, March 17th, our focus will be on Muay Thai Kickboxing, so please bring your boxing gloves to “A” classes for the next 10 weeks.
Don’t have gloves yet, or would like to upgrade? Please speak with our staff at the front desk, or purchase your USBA gear from our Online Pro Shop!
Black Belt Bootcamp
March 11, 2008
Black Belt candidates….set aside the weekend of Friday, April 4th from 6:30-11:30pm, and Saturday, April 5th, from 12:30 - 5:30pm.
It’s time…..for the challenge we call, “Black Belt Bootcamp”. You will be tested, you will be pushed, and you will find inner strength. And you’ll do it all in one weekend! Your family is welcome to attend. Stay tuned for more announcements here on usbapride.com, and at the school.
A Special Trip to Washington, DC
March 11, 2008
I recently had the good fortune to travel to Washington, DC, to attend the 3rd Annual Royce Gracie Network Gathering. Over 100 people were in attendance from all over the world…Royce, Royler, Rodrigo, and Ralek Gracie conducted a variety of excellent seminars. The atmosphere was positive and informative as usual. I would like to thank Jeremy LaFreniere from Capital Jiu-Jitsu for being an excellent host, and congratulate him on his beautiful new Academy…I also would like to congratulate my friend Evaldo Lima on receiving his Black Belt from Royce…
I was fortunate enough to also have been promoted to Brown Belt, and I would like to extend a big “thank you” to all who have helped me on this journey…and what an awesome journey it has been…I look forward to continue on this journey of growth, as I always like to say…”It’s not about the belt, it’s about who you become on the journey.”
Rodrigo Gracie Seminar at USBA!
March 11, 2008
It’s confirmed! Rodrigo Gracie will be coming to USBA on Tuesday, March 25th. Professor Gracie will be teaching a mixed martial arts (MMA) seminar, beginning at 7:30pm, ending 9:30pm.
Rodrigo Gracie was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, son of Jiu-Jitsu Grandmaster Reylson Gracie and grandson of the founder of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Carlos Gracie. He started training when he was only 4 years old; at the age of 7 he participated in one of his father’s internal championships and won his first jiu-jitsu fight. Rodrigo began teaching Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 14 and was awarded the black belt at the age of 18 under his father. Today Rodrigo fights Mixed Martial Arts regularly and has wins over some of Japan’s top MMA fighters.
This event is NOT limited to Gracie Jiu-Jitsu students, but open to everyone….all USBA students are welcome! The cost of the seminar is $50; sign-up sheets are available at the front desk. USBA uniforms are not required for this seminar….USBA tshirt and shorts are acceptable, as are any of your other student gi’s and uniforms.
One more thing…register and pay for your spot in the seminar online…..and save $10! Visit the Online Pro Shop, or click here.
Shamrock Sale!
March 10, 2008
We’re having a Shamrock Sale, March 17th through March 21st. Of course, we’re not selling shamrocks, but great MMA gear, clothes, and martial arts accessories, many with a “Luck of the Irish” theme!
Click on the image to the left for a printable flyer, or pick one up at USBA! Or check the USBA Online Pro Shop here for additional items…we’ll be adding more each week!
The First Rule of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
March 10, 2008
“Don’t get caught.” How many times have you heard Master Kravitz utter those words? “Defend yourself,” is another way he phrases the same advice.
He reminds us almost every class….don’t LOOK for the armbar, don’t LOOK for the choke…let it come to you, but first, “don’t get caught!” In the Monday and Wednesday evening classes, we’ve spent a lot of time practicing the top mount, the guard, and side control positions. And although we’re taught, while in the controlling half of these positions, to attack, through chokes and armbars, Master Kravitz has strongly, strongly emphasized that the greater value of these exercises is not working from the attacking position, but from the defensive. Avoid trouble, bug your partner, and when sparring, finish the round without having to “tap”.
Women’s Personal Safety - The Series!
March 7, 2008
It’s back! Due to a strong response, USBA has taken the “pilot” workshop and extended it to a series of four classes. The cost for the entire series is $149. The dates are March 14th and 28th, April 11th and 18th, all at 7:00-8:00pm on Friday nights.
To register, call (949) 363-6500, or sign up at the front desk at USBA. Feel empowered and confident!
USBA Word for March
March 5, 2008
The word for this month is “kaizen”. This Japanese word is actually two words, “kai”, which means change, and “zen”, which means good. In its normal use, Kaizen means continuous improvement, especially a slow and steady improvment.
Kaizen is also a Japanese business philosophy that describes the mindset of always striving to make gradual and steady progress. This is one of the reason Japan’s economy became so strong after World War II.
Great Black Belt Champions are really modern day Kaizen Warriors, because they are always aiming to improve their knowledge, their skills, and their conditioning. They are always seeking the next level of progress and growth.
The ancient Samurai warriors were well known for their practice of Kaizen. A constant effort to improve their fighting skills and abilities, empty hand combat, weaponry, horsemanship and any other areas that could make them more effective and increase their odds of victory in t he battlefield. Any improvements, even tiny little incremental gains could save their lives in the various situations they may encounter.
Kaizen can easily be applied in modern times, especially in the dojo. By engulfing this philosophy, it will allow all of us to continue to enjoy and share the many benefits of a positive, progressive and well-disciplined learning environment. Anyone can be become a Kaizen Warrior, provided they are truly committed to making steady improvements, in every aspect of their life. Becoming a great Black Belt Champion in and out of the dojo leads to becoming a better overall person. When this happens…everyone wins!
Think about one or two areas you could improve that could really make a difference in your progress and growth. Once you pinpoint these, you need to set a goal to take immediate action to improve these areas. Then you repeat the process again and again until the process of improvement becomes habit. This is how you become a modern day Kaizen Warrior!
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