Capital Jiu-Jitsu

Today Grandmaster Helio Gracie passed away at the age of 95. His son, Royce Gracie, quickly boarded a plane to be with family Rio de Janeiro.

I would like for us to celebrate and remember Grandmaster Helio Gracie for living a life full of passion, and providing us all with the opportunity to learn and train in the wonderful science of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Without Grandmaster's pioneering spirit, and lifelong dedication to learning, training and teaching, we would not have the privilege we do today to study the system of self-defense, throwing and grappling that is now esteemed by martial artists around the world.

Rodrigo Gracie called me this morning to say that there are two ways to remember our Grandmaster. Some will close their schools out of respect, and others will train harder today than they have in a long time. Capital Jiu-Jitsu chose the latter, and today celebrates Helio Gracie's life with the learning, training and teaching of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. We do so with a passion that we hope Helio would take pride in.

Rest Peacefully Grandmaster Helio Gracie.

Jeremy Lafreniere
Owner/Head Instructor

Posted by Will Barnett at 10:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

UWC has released a promo video for Iman's first Pro MMA fight on February 21st at the George Mason Patriot Center.

Posted by Will Barnett at 07:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Mixed Martial Arts news site Sherdog.com reported on Iman's upcoming professional MMA fight against champion kickboxer and Oxygen's Fight Girls winner, Felice “Lil’ Bulldog” Herrig.

Read the Article.

In addition to helping pave the way for women's MMA competition, Capital Jiu-Jitsu is Northern Virginia's premiere academy of Mixed Martial Arts and Self-Defense. We offer NOVA programs in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai Kickboxing, She'Safe Women's Self-Defense, Kid's MMA, CrossFit and Yoga to residents of Arlington VA, Alexandria, Chantilly, Herndon, Brambleton, Loudoun County, Washington DC, Fairfax, Falls Church, South Riding, Vienna and everywhere in the Washington DC Metro area. Stop by one of our NOVA academies today for a free trial class in Martial Arts or Elite Fitness and discover what's been missing from your health club and traditional martial arts school.

Posted by Will Barnett at 05:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Washington DC's Fox 5 morning news made a visit to Capital Jiu-Jitsu Loudoun County Dulles this morning to report on CJJ's She'Safe Women's Self-Defense program. Japheth and Iman demonstrated some Gracie Jiu-Jitsu based self-defense.

Part 1:

Part 2:

Posted by Will Barnett at 11:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Several CJJ competitors participated in the Copa Nova Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Submission Grappling tournament this weekend in Ashburn Virginia. Some brought back medals, and everyone showed a lot of heart and improved skill on the mat. Only a few miles from Capital Jiu-Jitsu Loudoun County/Dulles, the Copa Nova proved a fun time for the CJJ family. Congrats to everyone who competed in BJJ and No-Gi, especially the first-time grappling competitors.

See the Complete Results.

See All the photos Here.

Posted by Will Barnett at 06:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here's the promo video for UWC Man O War, taking place right here in the Washington DC area. Iman will make her professional Mixed Martial Arts debut at the event.

Posted by Will Barnett at 04:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KEITH WALSH will be at CJJ February 7th & 8th!

Keith will be doing a two hour FUNDAMENTALS class on Saturday at our Loudoun facility, and a two hour ADVANCED class on Sunday at our Alexandria facility free of charge to members of Capital Jiu-Jitsu.

Please RSVP on the message board.

For those of you who don't know Keith:

--> Professional Muay Thai fighter in US and Europe.
--> Certified trainer from Fairtex Boston under Thailand trained instructor and Lumpinee stadium fighter Jerry Iacuzio.
--> 14+ years competitive Thai Boxing experience.

Here are the details of the seminar:

Capital Jiu-Jitsu LOUDOUN
Saturday, February 7th
Fundamentals from 12:00pm - 2:00pm
$FREE$

Capital Jiu-Jitsu ALEXANDRIA
Sunday, February 8th
Advanced from 12:00pm - 2:00pm
$FREE$

Don't miss this chance to train with a certified Fairtex Mauy Thai trainer right here in Northern Virginia.

Posted by Will Barnett at 04:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

After winning her January 10th Mixed Martial Arts fight in Manassas Virginia, CJJ female MMA fighter, Iman Achhal will fight Fighter Girls Television show winner Felice Herrig at the Ultimate War Challenge Man o' War on February 21st at the George Mason University Patriot Center. Doors open at 5pm and fights begin at 6pm. Tickets will be onsale at Capital Jiu-Jitsu's Northern Virginia locations: Old Town Alexandria and Loudoun County VA.

Posted by Will Barnett at 02:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Beginning January 19th – 23rd, Capital Jiu-Jitsu will be holding a New Year's Resolution Challenge – CrossFit Style

Our coaches will (for anyone interested) record your weight, your max dead-lift, your max strict-press, your max number of kipping pull-ups and your time on Karen (150 Wall Ball shots).

Then, from April 27th – May 1st, we'll record how much everyone has improved, and celebrate each member's personal achievements, as well as the group support that made those achievements possible!

So, get ready! And no excuses (Can't do a pull-up? Who cares! Going from 0 to ??? will be YOUR achievement!)

This is an awesome opportunity to take advantage of the CrossFit strategy of functional movements performed at high intensity to get yourself into the best shape of your life. Experience the added motivation that comes with exercising in a team and community oriented environment, and see the results that happen when you add today's cutting-edge elite athlete training program, CrossFit, to the mix. Capital Jiu-Jitsu offers CrossFit at both of our Northern Virginia locations: Old Town Alexandria/Arlington VA and Loudoun County/Dulles. Stop in today and find out why CJJ CrossFitters often quip: "your workout is our warmup."

Posted by Will Barnett at 02:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Capital Jiu-Jitsu changed a lot in 2008, beginning with the opening of our Loudoun location, a full-service Mixed Martial Arts and Elite Fitness Academy. CJJ's growing stable of MMA, BJJ and Muay Thai fighters, state-of-the-art training facilities and congenial atmosphere make it Northern Virginia's premiere martial arts training academy. If you missed out on 2008 at CJJ, here are some of the highlights:

-January 15th: Our 10,000 square foot Loudoun, VA academy opened its doors for business
-February 29th – March 2nd: Capital Jiu-Jitsu hosted the annual Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Network Gathering, featuring Royce Gracie, Rodrigo Gracie, Royler Gracie and Ralek Gracie!
-July 5th & 6th: Members competed in the CrossFit Games in Aromas, CA
-July 19th: Our first Capital Jiu-Jitsu television commercial was made
-July 20th: Our annual Picnic was held, featuring water balloons, games, food and beverages
-September 27th: Capital Jiu-Jitsu participated in Fight Gone Bad III, and raised $13,000 for Prostate Cancer research and the Wounded Warriors Project!
-December 12th: Our annual Holiday Party was held, and what a night to remember!
-Members of Capital Jiu-Jitsu competed on MMA and Muay Thai fight cards, and in grappling tournaments throughout the country, including the Pan American Games!
-Capital Jiu-Jitsu hosted seminars with Royce Gracie, Rodrigo Gracie, Royler Gracie, Steve Hall, Bryan Dobler, Matt Arroyo, Jerry Hill, Mark Greim and more!
-Capital Jiu-Jitsu provided free seminars for women, did demonstrations in Brambleton, South Riding and the D.C. Asian Festival, and was featured on local radio programs, and television news channels

Capital Jiu-Jitsu will continue to grow as a martial arts community in 2009, with:
-More CJJ fighters turning pro!
-More seminars and events featuring Mixed Martial Arts and Elite Fitness experts from around the world!
-Members and Staff achieving new personal records and winning events!
-More resources, classes and instructors for both of our Academies!
-The addition of affiliate schools under the Capital Jiu-Jitsu flag!
-And, finally, a year long celebration of excellence!

If you live in the NOVA and Washington DC Metro Area and you missed out on Capital Jiu-Jitsu's 2008 experience, don't let the same thing happen in 2009. Visit us in Old Town Alexandria or Loudoun County Dulles from Arlington VA, Chantilly, Herndon, Falls Church, Brambleton, South Riding, Manassas or anywhere in Northern Virginia. Offering programs in CrossFit Elite Fitness, MMA, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Royce Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, She'Safe Women's Self-Defense & Yoga, and Kid's MMA, Capital Jiu-Jitsu can help you achieve your 2009 goals.

Posted by Will Barnett at 02:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dear Friends,

Capital Jiu-Jitsu is built on a bedrock of mutual respect, loyalty, tradition, and, of course, evidence based mixed martial arts and elite fitness programs. But the root of these is the undying support and dedication from our members, staff and the larger communities we are a part of (most notably the Gracie family.) I am dedicating the first part of this month's Newsletter to thanking each of you who has made CJJ the wonderful network of friends, family, support and programs that it is today!
I am proud of our history and accomplishments, and am excited for the coming year! I know it is going to be a great 2009!

Sincerely,
Jeremy Lafreniere
Owner/Instructor

Posted by Will Barnett at 01:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

ImanAMANIA Happens January 10th!: Capital Jiu-Jitsu Mixed Martial Arts Fighter Iman Achhal will compete again this Saturday at Combat in the Cage in Manassas Virginia.

Mon Jan 05, 2009 11:23 am
COMBAT IN THE CAGE - '2ND OFFENSE'

Tickets On Sale At Capital Jiu-Jitsu
or visit the Combat in the Cage website.

Prince Williams County Fairgrounds
10624 Dumfries Road
Manassas VA 20112

January 10th, 2009

Doors Open @ 7:00pm
Fights Begin @ 8:00pm

Posted by Will Barnett at 02:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)