Marcos Torregrosa

Self Defense for Women is a topic that isn’t talked about enough.

With the competition season winding down, we have time to focus on other areas of jiu-jitsu that are very important.  Yemaso BJJ has teamed up with an all female organization to provide a women self defense tips and rape prevention seminar here in Sacramento.  Self defense is an important skill to have.   We are proud to be able to offer high quality bjj here in sacramento.

We want all women to be more confident in your abilities to avoid unpleasant and even dangerous situations.  So, we will be hosting our first rape prevention and women self defense tips seminar at our Sacramento BJJ Academy on Saturday, December 1st.

The women self defense tips and rape prevention seminar will be taught by world champion Sacramento Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructor Marcos “Yemaso” Torregrosa.  Depending on the success of this event, we wight be contacting other female organizations to hold another event.  If there seems to be enough interested, this may become something we incorporate on a more regular basis to the entire public.

Unlike so many problems in the world, this is one that we can do something about: women CAN learn to defend themselves, face down an attacker and even avoid problems that could potentially escalate!

For those of you who will be a part of the women self defense tips and rape prevention seminar:

1. Please wear comfortable clothing.
2. Please remove all jewelry.
3. Please remember to silence your phones during the seminar.

Here are some pictures of the appropriate attire to allow for ease of instruction:

Here are some videos about similar events around the country:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bNbTjr-1PBk]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nTMBW4CQ3SA]

 

We are very excited to provide self defense tips for women and to attack the societal problem of rape.  We will empower our young women to be strong and independent!

Yemaso Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Location

The “ Absolute “ Challenge

Team Yemaso’s first highlight video is out and I wanted to reflect on an increasingly popular subject:  a fighter’s technique versus his power & size, and the participation in absolute divisions from the lighter weight classes.  Last weekend at the IBJJF Las Vegas Open, I took a relatively small group of competitors; I stress for all my medal chasers to compete in their absolute divisions as well, regardless of their size or weight.  We had 4 warriors, including myself (Marcos “Yemaso” Torregrosa), win their divisions and fight in their respective absolute divisions; 3 brought home absolute medals; a gold for Richard Bothun (purple belt), Silver for me (black belt), and a Bronze for Eliot Kelly (brown belt).

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 The reason I stress the participation in the absolute division is because I believe in our Jiu Jitsu and I believe in our approach.  Our perspective has little to do with size or power, and more to do with proper administration and perfect timing.  We calculate meticulously and leave little to chance and many of our training methods prepare us for competitors at all weights.  This is what has set our school apart, not only from those here in the Sacramento, CA area, but also most of the WORLD!  Many people can talk about their schools all the BS they want but I feel that one of the best way to measure  your Jiu Jitsu is through competition and our team has been racking up the medals!

Caio Terra, a man whom I admire in Jiu jitsu for his accomplishments and also for his lobbying against the abuse of steroids in Jiu Jitsu, teaches in San Jose, CA.  He regularly trains with Samir Chantre ( feather Weight and IBJJF Las Vegas Open Absolute Champ 2 years in a row) and Osvaldo Augusto“Quexinho” (light weight).  Many times these guys are fighting in their absolute divisions and taking top honors and it is due to the great jiu jitsu they practice.  I have had the pleasure of witnessing Samir fight a couple of absolutes this year in both the IBJJFs San Francisco and Las Vegas.  I can confirm that his technique translates very well.  He took 2nd in San Fran and 1st in Vegas, no small feat for a feather weight!  Caio Terra moves up to feather weight JUST to get matches because at times in his natural weight class there are no competitors (Something our own brown belt Eliot Kelly had to do in Vegas as well)!  This weekend Caio Terra and I got to chat about some upcoming tourneys, and the presumably amazing chocolate he was eating in Europe!  Lol, I don’t smoke; I rarely drink, but when you put some chocolate or some cookies in front of me…  Caio feels my pain. The last time I trained with them they were selling some MEAN brigadeiro in the gym!  I look forward to seeing them display their Jiu Jitsu in future absolutes.

Another fantastic example are my fellow soldiers at Team Lloyd Irvin, they constantly are fighting their divisions and the absolutes to show, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are the best at that belt NOT just division.  Keenan Cornelious last year took his division and the absolute at EVERY major IBJJF tournament he participated in successfully acquiring the first ever “DOUBLE GRAND SLAM”!  DJ Jackson JUST received his black belt and has already taken a few golds at weight and the absolute!

Is there any better way to prove that you are the best by taking on all comers , no matter what size/weight?!  I think not and when the purists speak of Helio Gracie and his legacy I can think of no better way to exemplify that than to be an ant among giants and coming out on top!  I look forward to seeing not only my students but the men I esteem continue to place their hats in the mix proving, without a doubt, that technique rules all!

Enjoy the first of MANY highlight reels to come!

Happy hunting!

Osu

How to Supplement BJJ

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One frequently asked question during my seminars and from my own academy’s students is, “Marcos, what do you do outside of BJJ training to help you perform better at BJJ?”

 

 

For some of you, this is going to be something you have already heard about.  Others, I hope, will find some use and benefit from my advice.  At any rate, I have decided to create my first series of posts, to help you become a better grappler, on the subject of supplementing your brazilian jiu jitsu training.

[Read more…] about How to Supplement your BJJ Training