Arena Jiu-Jitsu of Columbia

Why Arena Jiu-Jitsu?

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art that focuses on ground specific techniques using leverage, angles, and body mecahnics to defend or overcome an adversary even if they are larger in size or possess greater strength. There is very little striking or kicking involved in BJJ; however, it is a very effective form of self defense. A uniform called a Gi is used when participating in BJJ.BJJ is like a complex game where you must out-think or out-maneuver your opponent to win. It is a game of chess using your body, and you must plan every move carefully because one mistake will put you in checkmate.

It provides a foundation for good self defense, improved strength, better flexibility and endurance. It will challenge you mentally and physically with new challenges and techniques every week. People will enjoy learning how their body can move and flow from position to position. People often become passionately addicted to BJJ’s benefits as well as its possibilities.

Grappling or No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu is very similar to BJJ, but the traditional uniform (Gi) is not used. Techniques that are used in No-Gi focus more on speed, athletic ability, strength, and power. This is one of the main skills used in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Grappling is also an excellent way for wrestlers to stay in shape during the off season. It can improve positional awareness and teach how to use the body more effectively during matches.

BJJ and Grappling are also competitive sports that are growing quickly in popularity around the United States and the world. Men, women, and children can all participate in this amazing sport. It will help improve stamina, strength, flexibility, mental focus, coordination, and build confidence from the ground up!

Where did Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) come from?

BJJ evolved from the art of Judo in the early 19th century. A man by the name of Mitsuyo Maeda made his way to Brazil and taught the art of Judo to the Gracie family. The Gracie family took the teachings they learned from Maeda and developed the art of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. The Gracie family called it Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, but Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the most widely used term.

No matter what lineage (style) people train under in Jiu-Jitsu, the fundamentals are the same. Throws, take downs, self defense, or submission sport, all are very similar with the same outcome desired, to overcome your adversary with a submission. If you are defending yourself from an attacker, or just competing in a tournament, BJJ is a very rewarding skill.

The Instructor

Justin Ray moved to South Carolina in 2002 from Colorado where he was born and raised. Justin is married to Libby, and they have two children ages 7 and 14. They live just outside of Columbia.

At the age of four, Justin started wrestling competitively, and stayed active in it for the next 16 years. He competed in tournaments all over the Midwest and placed as high as 3rd in a few state and regional competitions. During his many years in wrestling, he was able to meet and train with some of the best wrestlers and coaches in the country. Very early on he knew he wanted to coach and instruct someday.

During his senior year of high school, Justin started training in Submission Grappling. Upon finishing high school he began training in various forms of combat sports including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, shoot fighting, Sambo, Judo, and submission grappling. For a short time he also trained with the US Greco-Roman wrestling team at the Olympic training center in Colorado Springs. Over time he started to really focus most of his time on Submission Grappling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He loved learning how technique was much more effective than power and explosiveness. For the next two years, he trained every chance he could; however, during that time life happened, and Justin had to quit training to focus on his family.

Nine years later, Justin made the decision to start training again after he moved to South Carolina. Over the last five and half years, Justin has dedicated thousands of hours to training, learning, competing, and eventually teaching Jiu-Jitsu and grappling.

On December of 2011, Justin was awarded his Brown belt by Joshua Miller. Mr. Miller is a 1st degree Black belt and considered to be one of the best BJJ instructors in Georgia and South Carolina.

Class Times
KID’S CLASS (AGES 7 TO 13)
Monday and Wednesday: 6:00pm until 7:00pm

ADULT CLASSES (AGE 14 AND UP)
Monday and Wednesday: 7:00pm until 9:00pm
Tuesday and Thursday: 11:30 am until 1:00pm

Friday: 6:00pm to 8:00pm

OPEN TRAINING (AGES 14 AND UP)
*No instruction during these days. Open for sparring and practicing techniques.

Friday: 11:00am until 1:00pm

Saturday: 10:30am until 12:30pm

*A gi (uniform) is not required for the first month of training, but individuals must have a uniform by the second month.*



Call 803-727-2144 or email midlandsjj@gmail.com for more information or questions.