What is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art and competition sport that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting with the goal of gaining a dominant position and using joint-locks and chokeholds to force an opponent to submit. The system developed from a modified version of pre-World War II Judo including some techniques from Japanese Jujutsu and with a focus on ne-waza (ground technique). It promotes the principle that a smaller, weaker person using leverage and proper technique can successfully defend themselves against a bigger, stronger assailant. BJJ can be trained for self defense, sport grappling tournaments (gi and no-gi) and mixed martial arts (MMA) competition. Sparring (commonly referred to as 'rolling') and live drilling play a major role in training, and a premium is placed on performance, especially in competition.

Instructor - Deividas "Dave" Taurosevicius

A native of Lithuania, Taurosevicius began his Mixed Martial Arts training in 1998 in Judo, Sambo and Kickboxing. After being awarded best Rugly player in Lithuania in 1999 he moved to the U.S. to continue playing professional Rugby. When the the Pro-Rugby league did not move forward in America Deividas remained to pursue his other passion, Mixed Martial Arts. In 2004 he won 1st Place at the NY State BJJ Open and then in 2006 Won the Reality Fighting Lightweight Championship by submission in 20 seconds of the first round.

After submitting Lauzon during Cage Fury Fighting Championships 3 in Atlantic City, N.J. in 2007, Taurosevicius earned a spot with the IFL. Facing Zac George of Team Quest in his debut for the promotion during April of that year, Taurosevicius submitted the wrestling standout off his back via triangle choke at 3:12 of round 1.

Following the win over George, Taurosevicius fought one more time for Cage Fury during CFFC 5 where he earned yet another submission win, this time over Roddy at 4:49 of round 1. He returned to the IFL last August during the promotion’s 2007 championship semifinals. Competing for Renzo Gracie’s New York Pitbulls as a lightweight replacement for the injured Erik Owings, Taurosevicius stepped in and recorded a unanimous decision win over Trenell “Savant” Young.

WIth Gracie’s Pitbulls advancing to the finals, Taurosevicius remained the team’s lightweight representative during the September team championships in Hollywood, Fla. at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Matched up against Bart Palaszewski of Pat Miletich’s Iowa Silverbacks, Taurosevicius pulled off a major upset after being declared the winner via technical submission. To date Taurosevicius is 10-3 during his professional MMA career.

Brief History

The birth of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. In the early 1900's, heavy migration from Japanese colonies took place in Northeastern Brazil. Among the several immigrants, there was a samurai of the time, whose name was Maeda Koma. He was the head of the Japanese immigration for the region. He was also a highly accomplished Jiu-Jitsu champion in Japan, and a well respected master of that art. His effort to settle in Brazil was greatly assisted by a diplomat named Gastao Gracie. Gastao was very instrumental in providing entry visas to Maeda and his group. Maeda became grateful and fond of Gastao's support.

Gastao was the father of eight children, including four boys (Carlos, Jorge, Osvaldo and Helio). His oldest son, Carlos Gracie, was a skinny and hyper-active child, constantly giving headaches to his parents for his erratic behavior. It did not take long for Maeda Koma to learn from his friend Gastao about the difficulties in raising Carlos. Soon Maeda offered to teach his friend's son the art of Jiu-Jitsu, a secret only reserved for nationals of Japan. Carlos became the only non-japanese student at the exclusive Dojo of master Koma.

After a few eventful classes, the youngster Carlos Gracie found a new path in his life. Within a few years since he started, he passed to his younger brothers Jorge, Osvaldo and Helio what he knew from Maeda's teachings. That was the initial step in the building of a saga that transformed martial arts worldwide. The Gracie family eventually became a notorious and legendary clan, the ambassadors of an art they considerably improved throughout five generations. They were the creators of what later became known as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, one of the most revolutionary martial arts systems in the world.

Schedule

Tuition and Payment Options

Registration

All students are required to pay a one-time new student registration fee.
Student Registration Fee : $30

Tuition Options
Upon payment of tuition a student is permitted to attend up to 3 classes per week. You do not need to notify us in advance of which classes you decide to attend each week.

Per Class: $30
Payment for 1 Month (up to 12 classes): $185