Mike (right) with his training partner Sebastian Alvarado after a sparring session.

Mike, tell us something about you, your family and other hobbies.

Mike: I was born in Guatemala and i am 15 years old. My parents are very loving and caring, they are always scared for me especially they are scared I might get hurt while training jiu-jitsu; but I guess that’s how parents are. I was always very athletic and I always wanted to play and be involved in sports! I play a lot of sports like soccer, hockey, and plenty others.

You are the youngest member at the adults program. How does it feel to train with people much older, and usually stronger than you?

Mike: To be the youngest member in the adults program is very special for me because I feel like I am the future of Gracie Barra and that motivate me even more to become as good as my instructors and as our Master Bruno. For me to train with people older and also stronger than me is a very big challenge because it’s hard to be the smallest and the lightest. I like challenges and that’s why training with older people doesn’t bother me; I feel like its even an advantage because when I will fight against people of my age, and my size, it will be easier for me because I am used to fight stronger people. I also like training with older people because they give me good advice and some guys in the gym are even like my big brothers.

Mike with the MMA fighter Alex Garcia at Gracie Barra Montreal

Do you have other friends that practice martial arts? What do people at school think about the fact that you practice BJJ?

Mike: I have a couple of friends who practice martial arts but not many; most of my friends aren’t that athletic. My friends find it really nice that I am a BJJ practitioner; they are very impressed, even my principle follows the UFC and she finds it very good that I practice BJJ.

What do you like the most about being a BJJ practioner and belonging to the Gracie Barra family?

Mike: What I like the most is that BJJ is an art that you continue to progress and improve even when you reach the black belt level, which is my goal. For me it is a real honor to be part of the Gracie Barra family, what I find is that it is really a family and for me the gym is a second home.

We are committed to make you a black belt champion one day Mike. Keep up the hard work!

Gracie Barra Blue Belt Stephane Pelletier and his family

Hi Stephane, tell us something about you. Where are you from, your age, family, work, hobbies, etc.

I am 36 years old, originally from Montreal but now living in the suburbs with my wife and 2 children. My oldest son is 2 years old and my daughter is 7 months old. I have been with my wife for over 10 years and happily married for the last 3 years.  I presently work as full-time geologist at Groupe ABS in the environmental department since 2009 but previous to that I was a specialist in mining exploitation in the north region of the province of Quebec. Other than spending time with my family, my hobbies are jiu-jitsu, work and read.

How long have you been training BJJ? why did you decide to start?

Since I have changed my career to be able to spend more time with my family and to be closer to home, I felt that I wasn’t physically active enough. I then decided to register for simple class that a sport center was offering, such as karate and grappling. I immediately fell in love with the discipline. After a few practices on the basics I wanted to be more serious about the training, that’s when I decided to enter Gracie Barra. I’ve now been in love with BJJ’s training since February 2011.

Stephane proudly showing his gold medal at the IBJJF Montreal Open 2011

You just got gold in the first IBJJF event in Canada. Share with us your experience.

I loved the entire event; it was both welcoming to families and competitors. I have learned a lot from watching others fighting and I picked up a few tricks. The competition also allowed me to get to know better my fellow classmates outside the Gracie Barra training center. Most of all, the best part of the day was the great feeling and adrenaline from the fight. I was terribly nervous at first but as soon as I started to fight all I could see was my opponent and all I could thing about was that I had to put him down.

The feeling of winning the gold medal was awesome but the feeling you get by being in the zone is priceless.

What are your future goals in BJJ?

My goals are to refine my techniques, learn new ones and help other students. I want to keep participating in other competitions and hopefully win them. I wish one day to be worthy of the black belt but most of all I wish to grow within the Gracie Barra family.

I would like to take this chance to thank Bruno Fernandes to let me learn and train in a welcoming environment, my boss who understand my passion and let me come in to work late when I’m trying to perfect my techniques and finally my lovely wife who stood by my side all along and supported me.

Stephane is a blue belt at our school and an example of a student that embraces the Gracie Barra philosophy. We are proud to have you in the team and good luck on your next tournament!

Jim Lilly with the TUF Winner and Gracie Barra Orlando student Jonathan Brookins

1 – Hey Jim, Tell us something about you.

R: I am originally from Toronto, and have lived in Montreal for 4 years. I am 33 and work full-time in Security. I’m a big NFL and NHL fan, and like to travel as much as my schedule allows me to.

2 – You started competing quite early in your BJJ career, after only a few months of training. How was your experience?

R: I try to compete in as many tournaments as I can. I find that the experience really helps me identify my strengths and what areas I need to develop. So far I have a couple of Bronze and Silver medals, but I’m always aiming for gold. Having the support of teammates and coaches encouraging us while we compete, and also helping us with Competition Training, really helps.

Jim proudly showing his two medals from the Grappler's Quest in Toronto

3 – Since you started training, you lost a lot of weight. Was that the primary reason you wanted to start a martial art? How did you do it and how different do you feel?

R: The weight loss was an added benefit of my BJJ training. It wasn’t the primary reason I started, but having the urge to compete in tournaments made me become more conscious of my weight. I gave myself specific goals and timelines in order to move down weight classes so I wouldn’t be outsized or out-muscled by bigger opponents. The best advice I can give anyone who is trying to shed some extra weight is to eat fresh foods, educate yourself about nutrition, set realistic goals, and most importantly be disciplined. Once you’ve adopted a healthier lifestyle, you will feel and perform much better. It’s a win-win situation, not only in BJJ but also in your day-to-day life.

4 – Now that you got your third strip and join our advanced program, what changes are you expecting in terms of your training routine?

R: The easy answer to that question is that I’ll get beaten up a lot more than I did in the Fundamentals Program. In all honesty, I think that training with the top students at our academy will enhance my skills and make me think more when we are rolling. I’m really excited about taking my game to the next level and can’t wait to test myself against the higher belt ranks as much as I can.

5 – Lastly, any suggestions for someone that is reluctant to try BJJ because of the fear of not being in top shape?

R: The best thing to do is to try a class and see for yourself. When I walked through the doors at GB Montreal in December I was 235lbs.Today I am a leaner and stronger 190lbs, thanks to the Fundamentals Program. BJJ will help you achieve your weight loss goals; all you have to do is get on the mats and sweat. Put down the potato chips, get off the couch, and train your butt off…. literally!

Thanks Jim, we are proud to have you as a team member. I am sure that your experience is a motivation to a lot of people!

GB Montreal

Roger Gracie. 14x World Champion

And here he comes again! Roger Gracie is back to share his knowledge one more time at Gracie Barra Montreal!

Roger is undoubtedly the best grappler in the world. The Michael Jordan of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His seminars are focused on techniques that really work, and can be performed by most fighters. A few hours will most certainly improve your game beyond measure. No one shows the important details of fundamental techniques better than Roger. If you attended his last seminar, you know what I am talking about. If you missed, now it is your chance! Space is limited and the last edition was sold out, so advanced registration is strongly recommended.

Cost = $80
Where: 180 Peel, suite 110
When: July 8th, 6-8pm

Student package - 4 months of training plus a Gi

Are you looking for a summer activity in Montreal? Look no further. This special promotion is the best way for you to see what Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can do for you. 4 months of training at Gracie Barra Montreal and you even get your brand new Uniform for free ($160 value)!

The curriculum includes several self-defense strategies plus a ton of basic BJJ techniques to get you started.
Drop us a line or give us call for more info. You can come and try a class for free if you wish!

Don’t miss this chance of learning the most effective martial art at the largest BJJ organization in the World.

info@graciebarramontreal.ca
(514) 932-5777

Effects of a Choke-Out

In 2004 there was an article published in the Journal of American Neurological association entitled “Syncope: A videometric analysis of 56 episodes of transient cerebral hypoxia”. In the 42 subjects that completely lost consciousness their syncope state lasted 12.1 seconds plus or minus 4.4 seconds. Muscle jerks occurred in 90% of patients. The most common pattern of movement consisted of multifocal arrhythmic jerks (uncoordinated spasms of multiple muscle groups moving at the same time) in both proximal and distal muscles. Additional movements also occurred such as: righting movements (if the patient had slumped one way while falling asleep they woke up and immediately corrected, if not overcorrected), oral automatisms, and head turns. In most of the patients their eyes remained open. And sixty percent of the patients reported having visual and auditory hallucinations.

Different people feel different things while they are being choked. The sensations are often difficult to describe. Some common sensations as reported by Brazilian jujitsu practitioners include but aren’t limited to: a feeling that the victim’s surroundings are expanding and contracting around them. A sensation similar to tunnel vision, working in from the edges of the victim’s vision goes blank. Without intervention the victim’s vision will completely go dark followed by unconsciousness. Pressure is extremely common. Pressure is usually felt in the neck and head area in particular the eyes. People often feel pressure pushing from the inside out on their eyes and burst blood vessels can occur. Pressure on the neck is the opposite the pressure is felt pushing from the outside in. One very predictable sensation is an intense feeling of light headedness. This is for the same reason that you feel light headed when you go from a laying position to a standing position you don’t have enough fresh oxygenated blood reaching your brain. Lastly in a competition setting with the adrenaline going many people claim to have felt nothing at all as they were being choked, they had no idea until it was too late that they had been put into a chokehold. They only find out after they are woken up and asked if they are alright.

The sensations don’t stop when the victim loses consciousness. Most people report having dreams that feel like they have lasted for long amounts of time, minutes to hours even though they have been in the syncope state for mere seconds. Through their dreams people report to keep the feeling of light headedness, and when they wake up everything seems a little unreal for a few seconds. Often times people’s dreams/hallucinations are tied into sounds around them, even more so than regular sleep. For example if there is the sound of a telephone ringing in the room the unconscious person’s dream could be based almost entirely around a phone. Often times the sensation of light and tingly stays with the victim for minutes after the victim wakes up. Much of the time the victim can function enough to drive a car, or do any regular task within a few hours of waking up but will probably be disoriented for at least a few minutes.

Conclusion

Though some point to the possibility of a person being choked out as dangerous, it would appear from it being a common occurrence with no reported cases of fatality that it is safe. That being said it is definitely dangerous for someone to remain in a chokehold after losing consciousness. It is highly recommended that anyone interested in any kind of grappling or in any way interested in practicing these chokes should consult a professional. Practice hard, practice smart, and practice in a safe controlled environment.

Adapted from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choke-out

Mohamed Jelassi making it in local news after his impressive performance at the 2011 grapplers Quest

1. Tell us a bit about you, where you come from, how long you’ve been in Canada, your family and so on.

My name is Mohamed Jelassi and I am 33 years old. I was born in Tunisia and I immigrated to Montreal in 2005. I am married and I have a wonderful daughter Hiba, who is 4 years old, and in July her brother should come to make her jealous.

I hold a Master’s degree in Communication and another Master’s degree in Special Education. I have a part time job as a Journalist another pone as a special educator in an elementary school.

2. You have a background in karate. How long have you practiced it and how did it help in the transition to BJJ?

Before coming to Canada I practice Karate since the age of 17 years. I was once the National Tunisian champion in karate and a member of the Tunisian karate national Team for 4 consecutive years. After coming to Canada, I continue to compete and won the Quebec championship in the Open and Heavy weight categories. I also won many international tournaments in Karate before I was offered the the opportunity to work as the general coordinator of Karate Quebec for 2 years. At that time, I changed my focus to new sports and I found in Jiu Jitsu what I was searching for, especially in regards to the efficacy of this art that explores the ground fight better than any other sport (in my opinion). My transition to BJJ was easy because the secret of the stand up game is similar to the secret of the ground game: in my book it is all about Distance and Timing. You have to control the space and to impose your rhythm and for sure to be able to finish the opponent with right application of technique.

3. Even though you have trained with us for only a couple months, you already got gold in several local tournaments. How was it?

I was happy to perform representing Gracie Barra School in local competitions in Toronto and Montreal. All theses events are a good evaluation for me and an additional motivation to work hard to improve my Jiu Jitsu style. I am still a beginner and I keep learning from Prof. Bruno Fernandes and all Gracie Barra students. A gold medal is good but training hard and keeping my motivation up are my real goal and challenge. What remain in my memory after theses competitions is just the respect and the appreciation of my opponents and people watching me. I fight to express who I am. Before any match, inside my heart you can find peace, faith and serenity, no hate or any negative feeling against my opponent because in my head the real enemy is my weakness, my fear from the future and my hesitation. The guy in front of me is just a partner helping me to be great and powerful by controlling my emotions. I have nothing to prove but many things to express.

Mohamed Jellassi showing his collection of trophy and medals during his promotion to blue belt.

4. In what way is training at Gracie Barra different from other schools?

What is excellent in Gracie Barra Montreal is the good schedule that we have so we can train 3 times a day, also the specialization in Jiu Jitsu so we focus our training in this art. But to be honest the most important thing that encourage me to made my subscription in this school is professor Bruno Fernandes who shows us by his behavior and professionalism that the slogan of Gracie Barra (organizing like a team fighting like a family) is not just word in the air but facts. During training I feel lucky to roll with a world champion in the stand of Prof. Fernandes and I m proud to have him in my corner when I fight. For me he is not just a coach but also a brother.

5. Feel free to add anything you wish now

In the end I want to thank all my training partners in Gracie Barra Montreal and all my friends from my old school BTT Canada where I train for a couple of months and I discover Jiu Jitsu for the first time with Prof. Fabio Holanda. Thanks to everybody helping me to appreciate Jiu Jitsu and I want to dedicate my last gold medal in Grappler’s Quest to the Tunisian people fighting for their freedom against the tyranny and the manipulation of the provisory government.

Hamdoulileh

"Pedrinho", Gracie Barra Black Belt

The team championship at the U.S. Army Combatives Tournament was renamed the Lacerda Cup in tribute to a Ranger and former champion who passed away earlier this year.

SSG Pedro Lacerda of the 75th Ranger Regiment died May 29 as a result of complications from a spontaneous brain aneurysm. The 30-year-old Ranger Assessment and Selection Program instructor with the Regimental Special Troops Battalion at Fort Benning had been leading a squad-sized element of RASP students through physical training a day earlier when he collapsed.Lacerda claimed the welterweight title at the 2009 All-Army Combatives Championship. This past spring, he was part of the first Army team to compete at the Pan American Jiu Jitsu Championships in Irvine, Calif., where he won his opening match. Lacerda appeared in the same event prior to joining the Army, capturing gold in 1998, 1999 and 2002.

Post leaders said he was influential in the development of the 75th Ranger Regiment and Army combatives program.

“He had been instrumental in training the Army Rangers (and) he himself had deployed to combat several times,” said MG Michael Ferriter, the Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Benning commanding general. “He was a young, inspirational leader. And it was only right to showcase the excellence of the team trophy in his honor.”

Lacerda enlisted in November 2005 and completed one station unit training, Airborne School and the Ranger Indoctrination Program at Fort Benning. He deployed twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan.

Source

Liz is a Montreal Alouettes Cheerleader.

My name is Liz, I’m 28 years old, I’m a fourth degree white belt and I was born here in Montreal. I work at a finance firm downtown and I like to read, write, dance, shop, go to the gym and hang out with friends. I’ve also had the privilege to watch both the Machida vs. Shogun 2 and St-Pierre vs. Koscheck 2 UFC fights live at the Bell Centre which was a lot of fun but I hope to one day go watch a BJJ tournament live and experience what that’s like too.

- When did you first hear about BJJ and why did you decide to give it a try? How do you like it so far?

I don’t think I really heard about BJJ, I think I just experienced it when I began to “play-fight” with my boyfriend. He also does BJJ and when I realized I had no technique, I wanted to learn how to better defend myself so I wouldn’t be tapping out every half second. Thanks to him I was introduced to BJJ and he’s also the one who got me watching UFC. I guess I just one day decided that I wanted to try out an actual BJJ class. So I started by looking up online where BJJ classes were offered in Montreal and I took a few classes here and there, mainly wherever a free trial class was offered and I realized that I really enjoyed it. There are a lot of really great schools that offer BJJ classes in Montreal but they are usually combined with other Mixed Martial Arts and really all I was interested in learning was BJJ. It was also difficult for me to join a school where BJJ classes were offered only once or twice a week because when I first started, I was going through some health issues and couldn’t get to the classes regularly. One of my close friends brought me to Gracie and told me that BJJ classes were offered 3-4 times a day, 6 days a week and so, with the school’s focus being mainly BJJ paired up with the number of BJJ classes I could choose from, I decided to become a member. So far, the classes have been great, they’re a lot of fun, the instructors and more experienced students are always really helpful and I also find it to be a really good workout.

- Do you practice other sports as well? If so, which ones?

Liz (number 6) celebrating a victory with the Sainte-Anne-de Bellevue Rugby Football Club

Yes, I played rugby throughout CEGEP and University and played for the Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue Rugby Football Club every summer for about 10 years. And, after successfully passing the auditions last Saturday, February 26^th 2011, I am officially in my 7^th season as a Montreal Alouettes Cheerleader.

- What do you think about the way we teach BJJ at our school?

I like the way each BJJ class is structured and how each week follows a schedule and builds on the previous class or techniques from the previous week. I also like how at the end of the fundamentals class you are given the opportunity to train the specific techniques you were shown at the beginning of class. It sort of challenges you to not only know the technique but to be able to put it into practice when rolling. When I have the chance to attend the advanced class I enjoy having the chance to roll and try to piece together different techniques so that the movements flow smoothly from one to the other, kind of like dance choreography.

Ellie and Liz (right) during one of our seminars at Gracie Barra Montreal

- What advice would you give for a woman that likes BJJ but is reluctant to start?

My advice would be to just try it. The sport is really not as intimidating as it may seem. And I’m convinced that if they do give it a try, they would see that it really is an art. Yes, it requires power and strength but technique and how you execute technique plays an equally, if not more important role in the sport. Also, a lot of the techniques are good self-defence techniques which really, I think every woman should know at least a bit about. And if the issue of training with men is of any concern, I can honestly say that I have never felt in danger when rolling with a guy. They’ve always been respectful and really very supportive in helping me improve my skills.

Congratulations on your fourth stripe Liz, keep up the hard work!