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May 30th, 2011
BJJ Program Summer Camps!
The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Program will be running Summer camps over the break, which will be run by Professor Malin.
The camps are designed to teach BJJ techniques for the purpose of Self-Defense, for male and female students aged 8-15.
Sessions will be Monday to Friday August 1st-5th or August 8th-12th in the mornings for 8-12 year old students, and in the afternoon for 13-15 year old students.
For more information on the camps, please view the brochure by clicking the image above, or by clicking HERE.
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May 30th, 2011
BJJ Program Kids Compete and Medal!
Part One of The Submission Series Jiu-Jitsu and Nogi Grapping Tournament was held on May 7 at The Arashi-Do North Dojo and three BJJ Program Students competed in the event.
Noah Mirza (left) won all of his matches in both Jiu-Jitsu and Nogi to take Gold in both divisions! Noah is the 2010 under 100 lbs. Champion and got off to a great start to defend his title this year with a great display of technical BJJ and improved takedowns and technique.
Drayden Todd (right) competed in the 9 and under "Game" and finished second and then competed in Jiu-Jitsu in the 10-12 catergory and finished third!
Alyssa Lucier (not pictured) competed and won all of her matches in the kids Jiu-Jitsu division taking the gold!
For Alyssa Lucier (grade 6) and Drayden Todd (Grade 3) this was their first taste of competition in Jiu-Jitsu and both of them did a great job dealing with the nerves of competing and displayed great sportsmanship and jiu-jitsu technique!
Congratulations to these young student-athletes.
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May 27th, 2011
Jiu-Jitsu is a Marathon of Learning
Recently, Professor Malin was contacted by the Editors of the Jiu-Jitsu/MMA magazine GracieMag and he was asked to write an article for their magazine for people thinking of starting in BJJ. Professor Malin accepted the offer and wrote the article "Jiu-Jitsu is a Marathon of Learning" - Ten Tips for White Belts. The article is featured in the June 2011, issue #170 on page 22.
To view the article, please click the image above, or go to www.graciemag.com to get your subscription.
March 21st, 2011
BJJ Students Learn from Legend
On March 15th 2011, members of The BJJ Program had the opportunity to attend a Jiu-Jitsu seminar by world renowned instructor Ryron Gracie!
Ryron Gracie, is the eldest grandson of Grand Master Helio Gracie, the creator of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is one of the best Jiu-Jitsu instructors in the world focusing his teaching in the founding principles of Jiu-Jitsu which is centered on street applicability, energy efficiency, and natural body movements.
The seminar was two hours long and covered techniques that often occur during a physical confrontation in an uncontrolled environment. This included escapes, control positions and submissions taught in a sequential order which allowed all of the seminar participant's immediate success in performing the techniques.
On the Seminar, Professor Malin said,
"Anytime you have an opportunity to learn from people who are at the very top of their profession is an opportunity that has to be taken advantage of! I learned a lot from Ryron during the two hour seminar in terms of how he teaches the techniques, presents them to a larger group and the time allowed to practice before moving on. I will definitely adjust some of my teaching practices and hope that I can deliver my Jiu-Jitsu knowledge with the same enthusiasm and attention to detail as Ryron!"
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February 7th, 2011
AAD Golf Tournament Announced
The BJJ Program and AAD will be hosting their 1st Annual Golf Tournament this May to benefit the sports alternative programs at Donnan School & Vimy Ridge Academy.
The event will be hosted on May 28th, 2011 at the Ranch Golf and Country club starting at 2:15.
The AAD 1st Annual Golf Tournament, is organized by the staff of The Hockey Program and is the program's largest fundraiser. The proceeds from this event are used to supplement the capital and alternative education programs at Donnan School and Vimy Ridge Academy.
There are many ways to become a part of the Golf Tournament. You can sign up to become a participant by purchasing a single admission or by buying a foursome, donate an item to our silent auction that will be held at the event, or sign up as a sponsor as anything from a Major Sponsor to a "Par" Sponsor.
To download the registration form as well as the sponsorship form, please click HERE. Once you have filled them out, please email them to sean.beissel@epsb.ca or drop them off to Mr. Beissel at Donnan School.
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January 28, 2011
AAD to Add Ringette Program at Donnan
Since 1996, Academic Athletic Development and Donnan School have worked in concert to provide some of Canada's most unique sports alternative programming. Sport Academies were identified in 1999 as venues for increasing student participation in sport, health and wellness. Donnan School and the Academic and Athletic Development Association were already providing these advantages to youth. We currently have over 600 students involved in our academic and athletic programs, including Hockey, Lacrosse, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Sports Recreation.
Ringette specific programming would build on sports recreation, allowing the students to acquire physical literacy skills through multiple sports, and adding the benefits of 2 ice times a week to work on ringette specific skills, as well as a skating treadmill on site. This is an opportunity to train in a non-competition based environment with the goal of increasing skill and understanding. The on-ice programming is complemented with off-ice focus on nutrition, fitness, and overall health to foster complete growth in the athletes.
The program will accept 18 to 22 students from grades 3 to 6 attending Donnan on a full-time basis. The 2011–2012 school year is the first in a three-year plan to develop the ringette specific program.
Bronwen Harvey will be in charge of the Ringette program and brings many years of expertise playing and coaching at various levels. Playing highlights include 18 years in Edmonton and Vancouver combined at the AA and A level, two appearances at Nationals, being a member of tournament teams for the World Championship Host in 2002, and a team that participated in a tournament in the Czech Republic in 2002.
Ringette is a passion she hopes to share through the program at Donnan.
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December 7, 2010
Donnan Principal Joins BJJ Class
Donnan Principal Mr. Fonseca surprised the BJJ Program students when he participated in his first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class a couple weeks ago. Mr. Fonseca arrived on time, was given a Gi (Uniform worn during training), a white belt, and found his spot in the line for the beginning of class.
The class consisted of a 15 minute warm-up, two standing head-lock self defense techniques, and one head-lock escape on the ground.
"Mr. Fonseca did an excellent job! He jumped in with an open mind and really tried to understand the techniques that we were working on. I was impressed with his ability to be soft and technical given the size difference he shared with his partner. Hopefully we'll Mr. Fonseca in his gi again soon!" - Professor Malin
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December 2, 2010
BJJ Lends a Helping Hand
This year, in order to fulfill the volunteer component of the Health curriculum, The Jiu-Jitsu Program along with Sport Rec, The Hockey Program and Regular Program Students at Donnan school participated in the Backpacks for the Homeless initiative. This cause has been organized by the Edmonton Fire Rescue Services and will help provide homeless people with some of the essential items that they may require to cope with the winter months.
Students worked individually or in small groups to complete this project and had the opportunity to deliver the Backpacks to Fire Station 6 on December 1st.
"This was an excellent opportunity for our students to do some extra work around the house and possibly earn some money to purchase an item for the backpack or for them to evaluate their own items and see if they have anything of their own (toque, gloves, scarf etc.) they would be willing to donate to this project. The entire school really bought into the idea of helping out other people, strangers, which have fallen on hard times. I, as well as, the rest of the Donnan teaching staff am very proud of the students and look forward to the next opportunity to become involved; helping our community." - Professor Malin
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November 29, 2010
BJJ Student Athlete is Racking up Tournament Medals
Noah Mirza has won the Edmonton Series Jiu-Jitsu/Submission Grappling Tournament
The Series Tournament is a Jiu-Jitsu/Submission Grappling Tournament that Awards 1st, 2nd, and 3rd for each age group/weight category. What makes the tournament unique is that each competitor accumulates point for their participation and wins. After the 4 Tournaments have been completed all the points are compiled and a "Series" Champion is crowned!
Also, Noah recently returned from Portugal Spain where he competed in his second World Karate Championship! Noah received a Bronze Medal in Continuous Fighting and a Silver Medal in Point Sparring. Everybody with The BJJ Program is very proud of Noah and his recent accomplishments.
October 26, 2010
Tuff as Gutz Teams Up With Professor Malin and the BJJ Program
Tuff as Gutz is new company out of British Columbia founded by Kelly Prokopski and Shane Wood. They specialize in providing athletes opportunities for sport specific training, development of physical and mental toughness, and an unparalleled enthusiasm to help others succeed and achieve their goals. Their mission statement sums up the direction of their program…
"Our Mission is to inspire athletes and all people to seek their passion and live their dreams. To take a risk using courage and strength. To truly be TUFF AS GUTZ."
For an article on how and why the BJJ Program and Tuff as Gutz came together where co-Founder of "Tuff as Gutz" Shane Wood explains why they sponsored Professor Malin, click HERE.
To visit the Tuff as Gutz website, click HERE.
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September 24, 2010
Professor Mike Wins Gold!
Professor Mike of Arashi-Do Martials Arts travelled to Rio de Janeiro this August to train with Master Behring! During his trip, Professor Mike competed in the Taca Rio (Rio Cup) and won the Gold Medal in the Black Belt No-Gi Super fight and the Master's 92Kg Black Belt Division. This is a huge accomplishment for Professor Mike, as it was his first competition since earning his Black Belt. Congratulations to Professor Mike from The BJJ Program!
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September 15, 2010
Professor Malin's Summer Travels
Professor Malin travelled to New York during the summer and was able to do a private lesson with 4 Time BJJ World Champion Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro and then a couple hours later another private over at Renzo Gracie's Academy with BJJ Black Belt Leo Leite! "Anytime you have an opportunity to work with someone like Professor Ribeiro or Professor Leite you're going to improve!" Said Professor malin, "I worked on ½ guard with 'Shaolin' and open guard with Professor Leite, both were very good instructors, breaking down each of the techniques and helping me apply it to my body type and Jiu-Jitsu style."
"I had the opportunity to roll with Professor Ribeiro for the last 20 minutes of my private and I'm still trying to figure out some of the techniques he submitted me with! I compare rolling with "Shaolin" to playing golf against Tiger Woods or having a game of one on one with Chris Pronger! I found his ability to transition seamlessly from heavy and tight to smooth and quick fascinating! It was a lot of fun and I look forward to the next opportunity to train with others of that level! It definitely makes me want to train harder!"
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September 3, 2010
BJJ Program adds Grade 3 Program
The BJJ Program added a Grade 3 Part Time Program (Monday and Wednesday afternoons) which is run in conjunction with the regular program. The Grade 3's focus on body awareness, positioning, wrestlin g/judo and self defense. The grade 3's were added to the program based on the success of the peer teaching opportunities the students experienced last year at McKernan and Mill Creek School.
Said Professor Malin - "I was looking for a way to expand the program and at the same time provide more leadership opportunities for my returning students. All my returning students have been paired with a grade 3 student that they will "buddy" with and work with both in and outside of the dojo."
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!