I've been a student of martial arts for over 4 decades and have practiced and received senior belts…read morewithin several traditional styles (e.g., Tae Kwon Doe, Kung Fu, etc..). Without question, I have found Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (e.g., BJJ), to be both the most effective for self-defense and most rewarding from a physical and mental health point of view.
I have been studying BJJ now for nearly 9 years, with all of that time at the Royce Gracie Academy of Glastonbury. For those of you looking at starting BJJ or finding a new school to train at, I can not provide a stronger recommendation than this school. I say this based on the following 3 criteria:
Quality of the Curriculum
Some of the primary tenants of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu are:
1. Most fights go to the ground and that's where most traditional stand-up martial arts don't adequately train or prepare their students for.
2. Using proper technique, it is very possible for a smaller, less athletic, less strong Gracie Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, to protect and defend themselves against a much larger, stronger, and more athletic aggressor who doesn't know BJJ.
Learning those techniques to the extent that you can rely on them in a difficult and life-threatening situation, takes years of coaching and practice. Royce Gracie, the son of the late Helio Gracie and founder of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu has spent decades now perfecting the training curriculum that allows "any person" at "any age", the opportunity to gain this knowledge safely and sustainably. This instruction has now be codified with certification requirements in place to ensure schools have properly trained instructors/coaches. The Royce Gracie Academy of Glastonbury has that certification level and it makes all the difference.
Quality of the Instructors
Combined, the 4 blackbelts instructor/coaches bring over 80 years of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu experience with all of them having received their black belts from Royce Gracie himself. And for those not familiar with Royce, just look him up on youtube.... He's the GOAT and one of the reasons MMA/UFC exists today.
Having 4 black belts support the student population is a luxury that has to be experienced. Every student, at every level, can engage with our instructors. Our instructors take a very focused approach to ensuring that each student is guided based on their own personal capabilities, health, and training goals and intent .
Vibe within the School
The Royce Gracie Academy of Glastonbury is a self-defense-focused BJJ school. We train to be able to avoid altercations and to be able to have an effective plan of defense in the event avoidance is not possible. As a consequence of the curriculum and instructors above, you should expect a highly collaborative, respectful and safe vibe w/in the school. This school is ideal for children, young adults, male/females of all ages, body types, health status, etc... This school and the students w/in it meet every new person wherever they are starting from. You will not find an environment where newbies are used by experienced students as training dummies. On the contrary, it's an expectation in our school that the more senior you are, the more time you give to your less experienced student peers to help them grow and improve.
What else can I say other than, to come to the school and talk to our black belt owners Kate and Rick and try some complimentary classes. You can see for yourself if my feedback is accurate.
I don't think you'll be disappointed.
