What to Expect

The key benefits of enrolling in our school will be: Self-Defense, Fitness and Conditioning, Confidence, Stress Release and Personal Development.

At the Theodorou Academy, we believe that developing and maintaining a sound body and mind are critical to getting the most out of life. In our program, you will experience a unique approach to self-defense and exercise designed to benefit all areas of your life.

Our goal is to create an environment that gives each individual the opportunity to pursue and achieve a greater level of personal success and freedom. You will develop:

• Enhanced flexibility through safe, and gradual stretching techniques.
• Improved toning and strengthening of muscles.
• Most students notice improvements in weight reduction.

Class Format

WARM UP- Our classes begin with a variety of warm ups and fitness conditioning drills designed to help get you ready for the remainder of the class in a fun and challenging way. New students are encouraged to do what they can and are never forced to do more than is comfortable. Over time, the student's level of conditioning will increase.

DRILLS- Each class will have drills related to fundamentals: for example: stances, falling, blocking and striking. Students will work with different formats, equipment and techniques to learn and improve upon their street fighting strikes. We vary the drills class to class to keep things interesting and fun.

DEFENSE TOPIC- Next, we provide a topic of the week where the theme of the Jiu Jitsu techniques taught will center around a particular response, assault or subject. This is a great way to see variations of the theme throughout the week.

BELT TECHNIQUES- Finally, we end each class with the individual student learning specific techniques for their skill level. During this section, a student works off of a set curriculum preparing for his promotion to the next belt level.

General Expectations about Jiu Jitsu and what you will learn

American Jiu Jitsu specializes in practical and effective self-defense. Size and flexibility are not important factors in achieving proficiency in this art since Jiu Jitsu does not rely on brute strength. American Jiu Jitsu is designed to handle attacks by applying pressure on the body's keiraku (meridians) to cause intense but non-damaging pain and thus destroy the attacker's will to continue. The aim of American Jiu Jitsu technique is to neutralize, control and discourage an attacker with techniques that employ minimal strength yet generate maximum effect. This system is built upon the belief that the successful application of technique verses the application of physical strength could overcome attacks in a self-defense context. The ability to neutralize and control both the attacker and the situation is the hallmark of American Jiu Jitsu.

Our brand of Jiu Jitsu is much more than just grappling like you might see in a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school. We aim to teach you how to fight on the street: that includes hand to hand combat, effective striking (no high kicking in our school), throwing (judo and aikido), weapon defense (stick, knife and gun), multiple attack scenarios and ground assaults.

The American Jiu Jitsu style is derived from Hakko Ryu Jiu Jitsu. Though this art focuses on teaching the most practical self-defense from any punch, grab, or attack that one might encounter on the streets, it's main goal is to help students realize that the best self-defense is the ability to diffuse and walk away from an unnecessary confrontation.

Learn about our style versus other styles at our FAQ page.