Hi there,

As per our earlier conversation about Homeschooling Martial Arts I've decided to go ahead with a 6 week Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Program for Homeschoolers and Parents. Space will be limited so registration will be limited to the first 10 families only

WHAT WILL BE TAUGHT: I will be teaching an introduction to 'Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.' This is a very effective system of self defense that originally came from Japanese Judo but was then modified by the Gracie family in Brazil.

The techniques and training methods of BJJ are very conducive to self defense. I have been training in the martial artsfor over 30 years and haven't found a more effective way to train real-life self-defense skills, especially against bigger, stronger opponents.

BJJ is also a natural fit for kids, who basically just want to roll around on the ground anyway. At least mine do :)

So come and train, get some exercise, have fun and hang out with your kids!

More info about BJJ here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_jiu-jitsu

WHO IS TEACHING: I will be! My name is Stephan Kesting and I homeschool my 9 year old son and my soon-to-be 7 year old daughter. They also attend the New Westminster Home Learner's program two days a week.

I've been training and teaching Martial Arts (BJJ, Judo, JKD, Kali, Capoeira, Kung Fu, Kickboxing, etc.) for over 30 years, and have focused on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for over 15 years. If you want to cyber-stalk my bona fides start with the About Us page on my website:

http://www.grapplearts.com/About-Us.php

WHEN: The classes will be downtown starting at 3 pm sharp and going till 4 pm on Wednesdays on the following dates. On day 1 I'd like people to arrive at 2:45 to get oriented, change, sign liability waivers, etc.

April 10th
April 17
April 24
skip May 1st (New West Home Learners at camp)
May 8th
May 15
May 22

WHERE: At Infighting MMA Studios, which is downstairs at 427 Granville Street (corner of Granville and Hastings). The Granville exit for the Waterfront sky train comes up right outside the school, and the school is just below the Take 5 Cafe, down the outside stairs. There is parking garage one block away at Granville and Cordova

WHO IS THIS FOR: Kids age 6 nd up AND their adults.

If your kid is under 10 years old then I want you to be in the gym during class. You can read a book, veg out on your iPhone, or train as well (the best option).

To elaborate on the last point, I'm teaching these classes in part to test a belief that kids and parents can train in the same class. Obviously it's best to work with someone roughly your own size, and so I anticipate teaming up kids with kids and adults with adults. But conventional martial arts wisdom is that parents and kids shouldn't be training in the same space at the same time, and I want to challenge that. Plus that way both you and your kid(s) will get exercise and learn some useful skills.

WHAT TO WEAR:

At a minimum, sweatpants and a t shirt.

Please read this article

http://tinyurl.com/cnuhyhj

If you or your kids have a Gi from other martial arts classes you can wear that, just be aware that the lighter fabric used in Karate and Taekwondo will probably eventually tear

If you're serious about this, or if you just want to look really cool, then i would suggest that you go to Mikado (701 East Hastings) or Golden Arrow (2234 E Hastings) and buy yourself and your kids a cheap Judo Gi. Single weave is fine for now (double weaves are even more durable but significantly more expensive and a waste for fast-growing kids).

COST: $60 cash per family, paid on the first class.

I'm not doing this to get rich. In fact my hourly teaching rate ranges from $200 to $500, so the money I'm charging for this class is purely to cover the space rental.

It's a flat amount, not $10 per class (I have to pay for the space whether you show up or not).

Also please note that this is the cost per family, not for each individual. That's my way of encouraging, but not mandating, that parents to give this a try as well

HOW TO REGISTER:

Email me at Stephankesting@gmail.com.