The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Program is North America's only sports alternative program combining both academics and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu . Working out of Donnan Elementary in association with Edmonton Public Schools, the program is designed for boys and girls in Grades 4 through 9 and provides students with the opportunity to learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu techniques in a safe and controlled environment. Our program helps young adults improve their "Self". Self-defense, self-esteem, self-confidence and self-discipline. Students will also demonstrate an improvement in strength, flexibility, and body awareness.
The program has been designed to help students develop character traits such as respect, rectitude, courage, benevolence, perseverance, fortitude and effort. On average, students receive between 4 to 6 hours of Jiu-Jitsu instruction per week! The remaining time is spent in the classroom working on physical and mental health related topics.
For more information on our program and how to apply click HERE to visit our apply now page.
May 7, 2010
BJJ Program to Reach out to Peers
The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Program has offered to work with grade 5 or 6 phys. ed. classes throughout Edmonton to teach the basics of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. BJJ is a known as the gentle art, and is one of, if not, the most effective self defense system of all the martial arts. The Donnan BJJ group has already taught classes at Mckernan School and is heading over to Mill Creek Elementary for three classes in May.
"It's a great opportunity to spread the art to children who may not of heard of Jiu-Jitsu or have a clouded view of what it is given the increasing publicity of the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC)"
Students are learning basic self defense in an inclusive and supportive environment, and have been exposed to a sport that offers opportunities for lifelong physical activity. Professor Malin teaches the techniques and then pairs his students with the other schools’ in order for the new students to successfully learn the technique.
"The peer teaching and leadership development this activity provides my students is very important to the character development aspect of our program. It's not easy for the students to interact with strangers in this type of role and to see them work through some of their difficulties while helping beginners work through their technique difficulties is the primary reason for this exchange!"
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May 7, 2010
Professor Royler Gracie in Edmonton!
One of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu's most respected members visited Edmonton on April 27th to share some of his family's Self Defense and ground fighting techniques during the four hour seminar.
Royler is the brother of the fighters Rickson Gracie, Royce Gracie and Robin Gracie. He is the son of the co-founder of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Helio Gracie and holds a 6th degree black belt. Royler Gracie has competed in the black-belt ranks for 20 years. He is the only person to win the ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship three consecutive years, and has won the ADCC more times than anyone else. Considered as one ;of the best technicians in Jiu-Jitsu, Royler is a four-time World Jiu Jitsu Champion in the under 67 kg Black Belt Division winning in 96, 97, 98, and 1999.
Professor Malin and Grade 7 student Kiera Madsen were on hand to take in some of the legend's knowledge.
"Having an opportunity to interact and learn in person from someone of Professor Royler's abilities is beyond words. He broke down each technique, explaining the rationale for foot placement, weight distribution and timing while keeping the atmosphere light with jokes and stories about his father, brothers, and competition experiences. All in all it was a great seminar and I was able to take away many details that I’ll incorporate into my teaching at Donnan." -- Professor Malin
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April 21, 2010
Bonnie Doon Campus Park Open House on Monday
Vimy Ridge Academy will be hosting an open house to share thoughts on the future use of the Bonnie Doon Campus Site. The Open House will be on Monday April 26 from 4 to 8pm in the East Gym. This is a great opportunity to see the concept plan and provide feedback on what it entails.
Click here for a flyer explaining the Open House.
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April 16, 2010
The BJJ Program is Now on Twitter
Starting today, you can follow your favorite section of AAD on Twitter. There is a Twitter page devoted to AAD, The Hockey Program, TLP POWER, The BJJ Program, and Sport Recreation.
Each page will be updated with news and announcements from each section as well as interesting articles and information that we feel may interest student athletes and their parents in the program.
This is a great way to stay on top of the latest news and events from around AAD. You can even follow our Twitter on your smartphone. For an article explaining how to use Twitter on your mobile phone, click HERE.
Go to www.twitter.com to sign up for your twitter account and follow the sections of AAD that interest you:
www.twitter.com/lacrosseprogram
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March 17, 2010
BJJ Program Featured in GRACIEMag
The BJJ Program was recently featured in GRACIEMag's April 2010 issue.
GRACIEMag, a magazine which recently surpassed the 2 million reader mark, profiles Brazilian Jiu Jitsu philosophy and features "news, profiles, history, photos, videos and many, many tips and secrets of the mother of all martial arts".
The article explains the program Professor Malin has designed and lauds it as "another example of the effectiveness of the Gentle Art as an aid in the growth and development process."
For a pdf version of the article please click the image above.
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February 17, 2010
BJJ Program Featured in Edmonton Journal
On February 15, The BJJ program was featured in an article on the front page of the city plus section of the Edmonton Journal.
In the article, The BJJ Program's philosophy, designed and instructed by Professor Malin, is explained as well as the benefits and positive side effects of the implementation of a curriculum based on "Self"; Self-esteem, Self-confidence and Self-discipline.
With quotes from Professor Malin as well as parents of students in the program, it is a great snapshot of the qualities gained in the BJJ program as well as a voice for the argument that "Academic excellence is the side effect of character, not the creator of it."
The article is written by Scott McKeen and can be read in its entirety by clicking HERE.
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February 16, 2010
Surprise Visit from a Legend!
Students in the Donnan Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Program were surprised with a visit from world renowned martial artist Bas Rutten on Friday October 23rd. Rutten, formerly Japan’s Pancrase Heavyweight Champion and The Ultimate Fighting Championship's Heavyweight Champion, is now a color commentator for numerous smaller MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) competitions, as well as a successful author of "Bas Rutten’s Big Book of Combat" which is a self defense technique instruction manual.
Having a professional record of 28-4-1, Rutten is one of the pioneer’s of MMA and a true martial artist. The student's were treated to some of Bas's personal stories from his childhood to his professional debut in Japan.
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January 28, 2010
Master Behring Stripe and Belt Testing
Master Behring will be coming to Donnan and Arashi-do to do stripe and belt tests on February 10th and 12th.
He only comes up to Canada twice a year, so students should take the opportunity to learn from and work with this master professor and one of Brazil's finest.
For more information on this BJJ legend, click HERE for his instructor bio.
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January 28, 2010
Website Launched
AAD is proud to add www.thebjjprogram.com to its selection of websites.
The page will be linked from the AAD site and will be updated regularly with news articles, schedules, techniques and all of the goings on at The BJJ program.
Check back in often for updates!