{"id":542,"date":"2013-12-18T17:37:02","date_gmt":"2013-12-18T16:37:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.art-of-bjj.com\/en\/?p=542"},"modified":"2016-09-04T14:57:02","modified_gmt":"2016-09-04T13:57:02","slug":"brazilian-jiu-jitsu-north-tasmania-family-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.art-of-bjj.com\/en\/brazilian-jiu-jitsu-north-tasmania-family-business\/","title":{"rendered":"Brazilian jiu-jitsu in North Tasmania: a family business!"},"content":{"rendered":"

You may have read it often: Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a big family.<\/strong> I invite you to the other side of the world, in North Tasmania<\/strong>, to discover the BJJ Taz \u2013 Maromba in Launceston and St Helens.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

A return to the Brazilian jiu-jitsu\u2019s essence<\/h2>\n

\"BJJ<\/a><\/p>\n

When you go on the mat in Launceston, it\u2019s like a return to martial arts<\/strong>. For Jim Ried and Brad Lowe<\/strong>, the black belts in charge of the academy, the goal is to give their students the ability to defend themselves in each situation and to gain self-confidence<\/strong>. It does not matter how many points they score in a competition or how many times they tap at training. They try to pass on Brazilian jiu-jitsu\u2019s efficiency and philosophy<\/strong> to their students for real situations<\/strong> more than for competition purpose.<\/p>\n

Concretely? There was no ground fighting techniques on the program as I visited the academy but a judo class<\/strong> taught by an experienced teacher (a class which takes place once a fortnight). A good way to improve stand-up fighting<\/strong>, a BJJ\u2019s aspect too often neglected in my opinion. The class ended with ground sparring with the judo teacher.<\/p>\n

Competitors are not outdone! Their specific preparation is supervised by Thiago Stefanutti<\/strong>, the Maromba Academia Australia<\/a>\u2019s<\/strong> main instructor. He often comes on the island or welcomes competitors in his main academy in Melbourne.<\/p>\n

Jiu-jitsu, a family business<\/h2>\n

Jim set his self-defence objective as he started BJJ. A martial art he began for and with his children<\/strong>. From his garage to the current gym, the family is still on the mat. A familiy atmosphere that is now shared by all the students<\/strong> and everyone will do his best to make you feel at ease and come back.<\/p>\n

\"BJJ_Tasmania_Launceston_St_Helens_Art_of_BJJ<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"BJJ<\/p>\n

The family story does not end here. It goes on in St Helens<\/strong><\/a>, a small harbour on the East coast, where I met Nathan<\/strong>, who is Brad\u2019s cousin and runs the local Brazilian jiu-jitsu academy<\/strong>. He stayed starry-eyed as he told me about his passion for Brazilian jiu-jitsu and the way he got affected by the virus thanks to Brad.<\/p>\n

\"BJJ<\/p>\n

A passion he has been practicing for 5 years and shares it in the \u201cBig Shed\u201d<\/strong> located at the edge of the woods and converted for BJJ training, MMA and fitness.<\/strong> He teaches to 20 children and 6 adults in his gym.<\/p>\n

\"BJJ<\/p>\n

Here is one of its favourite techniques, a sweep from the butterfly guard:<\/p>\n