Jiu Jitsu Improving University Avenue
If you want to learn self-defense or be a fighter, check out City of Champions – a quiet training gym for athletes from beginners to pros. Owner Dustin Thornton takes pride in making his place “beginner friendly” and has an able staff of coaches to guide a boy or girl, man or woman, toward their personal goals, whether it’s getting fit, losing weight, improving strength and conditioning or martial arts like Jiu Jitsu or Muay Thai.
Thornton, 37, has invested to make this gym into a pleasing and welcoming business, improving the lighting, equipment and restrooms, since opening in 2012. “We have a #1 rating on Yelp, which does a thorough background check on your business,” he says. “You can’t change any Yelp reviews at all, and all mine are A-1, five star ratings. We’re proud of that.” Comments include: “Neat place, clean floors, no messy equipment … dedicated instructors who inspire … it’s all business for a full hour.”The big challenge facing this business area, he believes, is “the lack of foot traffic. We need a coffee shop or café to attract people and get walkers to stop in.” Thornton knows what it takes to become successful. For over a dozen years, he’s dedicated himself to learning skills and honing his talents. “There aren’t any short cuts to a high level of functioning except old-fashioned hard work.”
Inspired in 2001 watching Royce Gracie, the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Mixed Martial Arts champion on TV from his home in Pittsburgh, Thornton moved to San Diego in 2005 after his coach told him that the most concentrated Jiu Jitsu schools were in southern California and eventually settled in El Cerrito where he and wife Yoko and 9 month old baby Kiara now live. On weekdays he closes the gym between 2 and 4pm to spend time with his family, doing chores, and relax. Then he returns to work until 9pm or later.
Jiu Jitsu or Judo (a gentle art) involves a throw or takedown by using the joint locks or “chokes.” It does not use kicking or punching, but involves quick, but studied moves and fast reflexes. “Limbs don’t often get broken because the opponent will tap out to concede. This system was started in Japan. It allows a small person to defeat a larger person.”
City of Champions also stresses the mental side of conditioning. “If you have the desire, we can train you,” Thornton says. He quotes Napoleon Hill: “Life’s battles don’t always go to the stronger or faster man, but sooner or later the one who wins is the one who thinks he can.”
Jiu-Jitsu / San Diego class added to the schedule
Question : So what can possibly be better than Jiu- Jitsu ?
Answer: More Jiu-Jitsu !
Yes, if you guessed more Jiu Jitsu you were right! We already know that the 10 am class is a very popular time among SDSU students and members who work 2nd or 3rd shift. We also realize the 7 pm works perfect for the 9-5 rs who come in to train Jiu-Jitsu after work. But can we serve our current students and future students better by offering an earlier class during the week? Maybe you have dinner plans after work but still want to train. Maybe you are a mom or dad and want to be home in time to read to your son or daughter before they go to bed . What ever the case may be we just made another option! Starting February 17th 2015 a 5 pm Jiu-Jitsu class has been added.
So far here is what to expect.
From the start a quick warm up and some technique to follow.
How long ? 1 hour to train and work on your technique that you learned from the day or weeks prior.
Will there be live training/ rolling ? This 5 pm Jiu-Jitsu class will have an open mat about half way through so you will get some rounds to choke and arm lock each other.
Is this an advanced or beginner friendly class? Good question and all levels are welcome because this format helps beginners get their feet wet without being overwhelmed . This also pushes the advanced level competitors to think and work quickly with less time on the clock just like competition.
See you all Tuesdays at 5 pm .
Have any more questions or concerns , let us know feedback is always appreciated .
Oss!
Every parent should know this about Kids Jiu Jitsu
The kids Jiu Jitsu classes have really grown this past year, we’d like to thank all the parents who take a positive role in keeping their kids in the Jiu Jitsu program here at City Of Champions !
In our adult program the #1 thing said to our coaches after they begin is “I wish I trained Jiu Jitsu when I was a kid” What is the reason for this?
We see lots of children who have no discipline, are very over weight and have no self esteem, are being bullied at school and have no confidence because of this. It is a cycle that will carry into adulthood and become harder as they make it to middle and high school.
Our Job has always been to transform those into confident , in shape children with a discipline to conquer all the challenges they face while growing into a young adult like peer pressure from older kids, bullying, childhood obesity and the need to “fit in” with the wrong crowd or gang.
Our kids team builds off each other to put each individual on a different level from when they arrived and to help them look up to each other and the coaches.We are always there with a strong positive reinforcement to build them into young leaders.
Kids get into shape and feel better because of it .Learn discipline, receive a structured schedule along with “rules of the mat” that set the tone for the class .
This is our foundation , want to see more?
See it for yourself and let our actions speak for us !! Any Mon- Wed – Fri at 5 pm . for a Free Class.
