Competition and Self Defense

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the most effective self-defense art for ground fighting and is actively taught at the Phoenix JKD Jiu-Jitsu Training Center. What separates Phoenix JKD from other BJJ schools is the incorporation of state-of-the-art training techniques that allow students to acquire skills quickly and efficiently! We have no desire to prolong training needlessly, and our main goal is for students to quickly gain skill in competition and real-life self-defense.

Following the JKD training philosophy, gaining skill is a three-step process. First, you learn the technique in as perfect a form as possible. Then, you practice the technique with moderate resistance. Finally, you spar with the technique in a realistic and live manner.

Shahram Moosavi has been training Jiu Jitsu since 1992. He is one of the top black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, having received his rank by actually traveling to Brazil to test his skill authentically in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He is representing GFTeam, founded and led by Master Julio Cesar Pereira, one of the most well-known and competitive Jiu-Jitsu organizations in Rio de Janeiro and around the world.

Shahram Moosavi's training lineage in Jiu-Jitsu goes back to not only Kanō Jigorō, Mitsuyo Maeda and Oswaldo Fadda but also Carlson and Hélio Gracie, all of whom contributed greatly to the expansion of the science and art of Jiu-Jitsu. We will forever be thankful for their efforts in the early development of the art!

Today, what Professor Shahram Moosavi has done, which is quite unique in order to advance his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu students, is to utilize elements from not only Persian Wrestling but also Western Wrestling, Russian Sambo, Catch Wrestling, and some of the most useful principles from both JKD concepts and Filipino Kali. This is done to enhance the students' understanding of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, both in terms of its intuitive application of forces and its general understanding of physics and geometry.

Regardless of one’s age and abilities, learning ground fighting would be a necessary element and one of the four ranges (kicking, punching, trapping/clinching, and ground fighting) that a fight could occur in. Since one cannot pick and choose one’s range in a fight, it is imperative to become familiar with all four ranges and be able to easily move in and out of those ranges with confidence. Those who lack Jiu-Jitsu training could never claim to have grasped the totality of self-defense.

Here at Shahram Moosavi’s Jiu-Jitsu training center, we train with both kimonos (Gi uniforms) as well as without kimonos. Also, those who are interested in sports Jiu-Jitsu are also encouraged to participate in those events since they can enhance your natural abilities and being able to act under pressure. Keep in mind, most of the sports Jiu-Jitsu positions and submissions are directly applied to real fights, and in only a few cases, there may be some slight differences between Jiu-Jitsu used in street as supposed to sports competition aspect of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Competitions are encouraged but are not a mandatory aspect of our Jiu-Jitsu curriculum.

One other aspect of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which we consider very important, is that the art has also proved itself to be a great tool for a healthy social setting and a great platform for not only adults to thrive on but also for children to be involved. We have a very healthy group environment that can act as a positive force in people’s lives as they participate with a great team of athletes that constantly reinforce health, longevity, and discipline with the rest of teammates.

Injury prevention, strength and stamina development, nutritional intake, balancing body chemistry, as well as emotional and psychological health are always taught and mentioned in classes, workshops, and seminars. For private, semi-private, and accelerated programs, you can contact the Training Center or the Institute for further guidelines.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Competition and Self Defense