Getting Started is Easy!

1)Read through the site to get to know our programs and community. 

2)Feel free to visit and watch any class or set up a free initial conversation by sending an email to info@devinedi.com

3)Sign Up Here for a free class offered on Saturday mornings at 10 with one on one instruction. Parents must accompany children. No gi necessary for your first class! 

The Sign Up link contains our waiver so please complete it in its entirety before coming to your free class.

4)Jump right in! If you are ready or have previous experience, sign up for your monthly membership and start rolling!

5)If you have any questions or concerns, we are here for you! Feel free to email us at info@devinedi.com and we will make sure you are ready to go!

WHAT TO EXPECT

Just Visiting
At Devine BJJ you can watch a class anytime, meet the instructor, and ask some questions before ever getting on the mats. Come and meet us, watch and see if it is for you.

We would appreciate it if you would send us an email at info@devinedi.com to let us know you are coming so we can plan accordingly.

What to Wear to your first class?
Before you come to your first class, you’ll need to figure out what to wear. You usually don’t need to own a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gi for your first class. T-shirts, board shorts and sweatpants are all fine. Sometimes you can wear a gi or uniform from another martial art. You will need to buy a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gi if you continue training.

Do NOT wear anything with extra pockets, belt loops, or baggy fabric. These are dangerous since fingers and toes can get caught in them. Baggy cargo shorts are a common example of what not to wear.

If you already own them, you can wear any protective gear (knee braces, ear guards, mouth guard, cup, etc.) you might need. Athletic tape can be used to protect injured fingers or toes.

Your First Class
You’ll probably want to show up a few minutes early to introduce yourself to the instructor and check out the school (if you haven’t visited already). You will also need to sign a waiver before your first class.

Before class starts, you’ll have a chance to get dressed and stretch out on the mats. Be sure to get everything ready before class so you don’t have to miss anything.

Hygiene
Make sure your fingernails and toenails are well-groomed. If you have long hair, you’ll want to put it up in a ponytail or bun during class. You should also remove any piercings to prevent injuries.

Warm-ups
Our classes start with a group warm-up, such as running laps and doing push-ups, followed by solo drills like forward and backward breakfalls and shrimping. Some of these moves will probably be new to you so we will work with you one-on-one to learn them safely.

Don’t worry if you don’t get the exercises correct at first—no one does on their first day, and they take a little practice. Just give it your best try and the instructor or a higher belt will help you adjust accordingly.

Techniques
After warm-ups, you’ll be partnered with someone to learn your first lesson. You will learn between 2-3 moves in a class. You and your partner will then drill those moves repetitively until you feel confident you have them committed to memory. The instructor will be there to help correct you as you go.

Positional Drilling
Usually resistance drills and sparring follow the instruction and repetition of techniques. This will be your first chance to try out what you learned against a fully resisting partner in a live drill. As such, you must understand some basic rules for all live drilling and sparring:

Basic Rules
* No striking, punching or kicking
* No eye gouging or hair-pulling
* No twisting or grabbing fingers
* No slamming (picking someone up and dropping them)
* No heel hooks (twisting the foot or knee)
* No neck cranks
Remember that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is designed to be trained safely without serious injury. These rules help keep you and your training partners safe and healthy.

Position Before Submission
One of the core principles of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is “position before submission”. “Position” means the relative position of your body to your opponent’s. “Submission” means an action that causes your opponent to submit (surrender), such as an arm lock or choke. It can be demonstrated that different positions in grappling offer varying degrees of control, and those with the most control offer the best leverage for submissions, with the least threat of counter-attack or escape. From this, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu teaches you to seek and advance towards dominant positions and only attempt submissions once these are obtained. This also includes escaping from inferior positions to a neutral or dominant position.

Over time, your classes will cover all of the positions and you will have an answer to every problem your opponent presents.

Tapping
The typical way to signal submission in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is by tapping on your opponent three times. When you tap, make sure you do it hard enough that your partner can feel it; or tap yourself or the mat where they can see and/or hear it; or verbally tap by saying “Tap!”; or loudly tap the mat with your foot so they can hear it.

Likewise, be aware of your training partner tapping and stop whatever you are doing when he or she does so.

Tapping is just part of training and there is no shame in it. Don’t worry about winning or losing. Just try the techniques you’ve learned to the best of your ability and tap when needed.

Sparring
At most schools, the class concludes with live sparring. You may be assigned a sparring partner(s), and usually, you’ll change partners after every round. We will ensure you’re paired with a senior student who will make you feel safe.

At the start of each round, you’ll begin by facing your partner on your knees. When you’re both ready shake hands and start to “roll”; try your techniques, stopping whenever one of you taps and restarting from knees.

After Class
At the end of class, the instructor(s) and senior students will help answer any other questions you may have. The first class is always the hardest, but once you have conquered it you are well on your way. Welcome to the Devine Clan!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

An introduction to the Devine Jiu Jitsu team!

From the moment you step through our door, our goal is to ensure you feel welcome at our Academy. We’ve devoted a considerable amount of time and energy to building a great team and training atmosphere. You’ll be greeted by an instructor, who will meet with and talk to you about your goals and what brought you to us. We will answer all of your questions and get you started so that you can schedule a trial class immediately.

What is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu? 

Simply put Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a ground-based martial art that uses leverage and technique to control an opponent. This was designed by the Gracie family so that a smaller person could be able to effectively defend themselves against larger and stronger opponents. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is useful in a fight or self-defense situation and it also contains a rich competitive community.

Why do people train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?

Along with being an incredibly effective martial art and form of self-defense, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu also provides people with several different benefits. Everything from improved health, fitness, and stress relief, to meeting new people and becoming part of a team. People often start Brazilian Jiu Jitsu because they are interested in learning the martial art and later find that it has an incredibly positive effect on their whole life. These intangibles, along with the ability to defend yourself, get incredibly fit, and feel great physically, are all reasons to come in and see how Jiu Jitsu can work for you.

Why do people train at Devine Jiu Jitsu?

At Devine Jiu Jitsu we do our best to make people feel at home and welcome from day one. We also try to provide the best and most complete training experience possible. Whether someone wants to be in shape, learn self-defense, meet new friends, or has competition goals, our mission is to help you achieve those goals. You’ll also notice that our head instructors are on the mats daily which makes for a strong community atmosphere, rather than just a training experience.

Is Jiu-Jitsu for me?

Yes! We have students of all ages, shapes, sizes, and athletic abilities. No experience is necessary. Our goal is to provide a safe and fun environment where everyone can learn. We encourage everyone to give the gentle art a try!

I am new to Jiu-Jitsu - what class should I go to?

Whether you are new to Jiu-Jitsu or to martial arts all together, we recommend attending a Saturday open mat at 10 am for your first class.  We will help you every step of the way.

Do I need to sign up prior to coming?

We request that you register and sign our waiver here on this site. Then come to class 10-15 minutes early and ask for Tom or Michael. Please email us at info@devinedi.com to let us know that you will be coming so that we can prepare accordingly.

Do I need to sign a contract to train?

No, we do not require a contract. We want you to train because you like to, not because you have to!

I am a white/blue/purple/brown/black belt from out of town. Can I come train?

We would welcome it! Drop in fees are $20 per class per visitor, and all of our classes are open to visitors. There is no fee for Devine affiliate schools. 

Is there somewhere for me to watch while my child/friend/parent takes class?

Yes, we have plenty of seating.

What equipment do I need?

“Do I need to buy a gi before I come to class?  – The only thing you will require for your first trial class will be a pair of shorts and a t-shirt.  After your trial class, please talk to your instructor regarding purchasing a GI and we’ll be happy to advise you.

Is there an enrollment period?

No, we welcome signups at any time.

Do you have a shower/bathroom facility?

Yes, we do. We encourage bringing your own towel.