FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO MY FIRST CLASS?
WATER BOTTLE - this is an athletic activity. You will sweat and get thirsty. Make sure you have a full water bottle. Water breaks are provided throughout class. You will feel energized and have more fun if you are well hydrated!
FLIP FLOPS/SANDALS - At Nova Ryu, safety, health and cleanliness are hugely important to us - make sure you keep a pair of sandals or flip-flops next to the mat and anytime you step off the mat to grab a drink or (especially!!) to run to the restroom - have flip flops/sandals on your feet! Rather than having to lace up tennis shoes or boots to run off the mats for 30 seconds to grab a drink, flip-flops will make things a lot easier!
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MOUTHGUARD - For rolling/sparring it is highly recommended that all participants have a mouthguard. Brazilian jiu jitsu is a contact sport and that means accidental contact can occur from your teammate or partner’s elbow, knee or head. A mouth guard is far cheaper than a trip to the dentist. If you don’t have a mouthguard during your very first class, we will adjust our training as necessary.
POSITIVE & RESPECTFUL MINDSET - at the Academy we deal with some serious subject material, such as self-defense scenarios and situation training, and we train HARD and push each other to get better. Starting out as a newbie on the mats can feel intimidating – so we all make every effort to foster a supportive, positive, inclusive and FUN environment! It's ALWAYS OK to ask questions, we encourage it! If your opponent or partner taps, for any reason, immediately respect it and release the hold, that's how we stay safe and build trust. The Brazilian jiu jitsu community is a great one; nurturing, friendly and supportive - welcome!
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO MY FIRST CLASS?
Brazilian jiu jitsu class participants wear a traditional gi or kimono uniform. If this is your first class and you do not have a gi/kimono, it is perfectly fine to come in in comfortable athletic attire such as:
-T-shirt or rash guard
-Shorts, sweat pants, leggings, or yoga pants (NO ZIPPERS, drawstrings preferred!)
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DO NOT WEAR:
-Jeans
-Clothing with zippers or metal fixtures
-Dress clothes
-Socks or shoes are NOT appropriate for the mats!
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All clothes should be clean.
WHAT IS THE CLASS FORMAT?
A Brazilian jiu jitsu class is an hour and a half long. The first half hour is generally spent on warm-ups and movement drills, the second half hour is spent working specific techniques shown by the instructor and the third half hour is spent “rolling” or live sparring.