Via Potentia - Modern Self Defense Training

Please refer to Stronghold Jiu Jitsu for future updates for Via Potentia.

https://www.facebook.com/strongholdcascaojiujitsu

Stronghold-Cascao Jiu Jitsu Fun activity ~ Friendly Group ~ Expert Coaching

Starting in June we are adding another weekly session on Tuesday evenings at 7 PM. This will be a no-gi session, primarily for beginner adults and youth.

NEW SCHEDULE:

Monday 6:30 PM
Tuesday 7:00 PM
Wednesday 6:30 PM
Friday 6:30 PM (open mat)

A good night at Cascaobjj. Several of his students received belt promotions. His testing process involves asking each candidate to demonstrate techniques from each major position. Just a couple techniques for beginners, up to 10 for upper belts. He also includes some questions about the history of Jiu Jitsu and the "lineage" in his own gym.

One thing he did that I have not seen others do is to include a requirement only of escaping from bad positions, but also being able to execute a submission from there.

Happy Pascha/Easter to all.

Jiu Jitsu at Wortman Park tonight and Wednesday at 6:30.

Look for the orange flag. Bring a friend or family member. :)

JIU JITSU IN THE PARK?

The weather has been nice. I am thinking about setting up for outdoor BJJ in local parks. 20 x 20 rolling area (vinyl tarp pulled taught over grass and anchored down). Canopy for shade/shelter.

What do you think? Would you participate?

No sessions this week. Training resumes June 14.

NEWS

WOMEN'S ONLY BJJ GROUP TO START IN WILLAMINA

Part of the reason that "McMinnville Grapplers" got started was because women were being underserved by local gyms (when we offered to help start a women's program, we were "excused" from the local gym). Thanks to the good work going on with the non-profit BJJ group in Willamina (Fabiano Sherner BJJ) we will be helping coach a women's BJJ class on Tuesday nights from 6-7 PM at the WIllamina Community Center. Sessions start April 5. A kids' BJJ class takes place simultaneously in the same building so that mothers with kids can all participate at the same time.

RECOGNITION WHERE IT IS DUE

Two participants in McMinnville Grapplers have been with us since we started (and for years prior in the Via Potentia Self Defense program): Tyra and Pat. We don't emphasize belts or competition, but with the advent of objective criteria for different stages of participation, both will receive their long overdue blue belts this month. Tyra started training in martial arts around 1992, and caught the "BJJ bug" about five years ago. Pat started with Via Potentia about ten years ago. Thank you, Pat and Tyra, for being such great training partners for these many years and for all of the ways that you help others in your families, the community, and this program.

PARTICIPANT HANDBOOK

Many minor updates have been made to the participant handbook thanks to your input. Your comments are always welcome. The beginning stage criteria are pretty close to finished, and the intermediate stage is coming together nicely.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!

Thank you for being such wonderful, supportive training partners. We are looking forward to some new things in the coming year, including more structure to the curriculum and sessions.

Also, if you are looking for a place to gather to celebrate Christmas, you are welcome to attend the Christmas Eve service at our chapel this evening at 7 PM.

Happy Thanksgiving all! :)

We are presently offering practical (and fun) Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and conditioning sessions on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings at 6:30 PM.

We have a nice group of mature, gentle participants, and the most experienced, expert instruction you can find nearby. The sessions are adapted to the abilities and interests of the participants.

Beginners are welcome, and no special uniforms or gear are required. We are a "by donation" group. We do not lock you into an unaffordable monthly payment.

Feel free to drop in or to send a message with questions.