Here we go!

1. To bring at least one family member or friend to Jiu-Jitsu

The Ruotolo Brothers

Everybody knows that all you need to get hooked for life with the gentle art is to go to your first training session (ok, not really. It can take a while). Anyway, sooner or later, you gonna want to bring someone else in to enjoy the life-changing experience that is BJJ. Let’s ask Santa that in 2016 you succeed in making that great friend, or your significant other, or even your mom stick to the gi.

2. A great training environment

Like any other social environment, a Jiu-Jitsu academy needs to be a positive place for all people that go there to enjoy the experience. Let’s ask Santa that your training place is jerk-free and that your training partners are all nice and welcoming people that help you get better at the art while having an amazing time.

3. A healthy and injury-free 2016

Let’s not even think about the big injuries. Let’s all ask Santa that we can cruise through the next 12 months without that sprained ankle, or the dislocated toe or shoulder, or even that back of the neck pain. Let’s all ask Santa to be lucky enough and safe enough to be able to train all year round without having to go to the doctor.

4. Attend a really awesome seminar

You see them competing and you learn from them on the pages of GRACIEMAG or on our Youtube channel, but to attend a seminar with one of the big stars of the art is a whole different ball game. Let’s ask Santa that you’d be able to attend at least one awesome seminar with Marcus Buchecha, Rubens Cobrinha, the Mendes Bros, Keenan Cornelius, Rodolfo Vieira, Leandro Lo, Bia Mesquita or countless other amazing guys and girls that have a lot to teach you.

5. No close-outs at the finals of the Worlds

Leandro Lo

It’s the pinnacle of the competition circuit, so we could only hope that all black belt finals of the 2016 Worlds are for real. No close-outs at all. Let’s all ask Santa that no teammates reach the finals and we could have an epic day on June 5.

6. A nice submission on a higher-ranked opponent

Ok, let’s ask this one in a lower voice. Who can say it wouldn’t feel good to get that tap from a guy with a higher rank? Let’s ask Santa to give us at least one of those moments when technique and opportunity meet to make you a very happy guy or girl.

7. That awesome combo from GRACIEMAGSHOP.com

Time to go shopping! A new year is coming so why not start the new cycle with a brand new outfit? The gi is probably the piece of clothing you wear the most in your daily life (or at least it’s in the top 3), so it is fair to invest in the nicest gi you can find. As a matter of fact, GRACIEMAG has some sick offers for you. Just go to GRACIEMAGSHOP.com and find out what we have prepared for you!

8. That next belt or degree

Galvão wraps the black belt around Keenan’s waist

We say we are in it for the fun and it’s true, but a new color or at least a new degree to the good old belt makes everyone happy. Let’s work hard, let’s not miss class and let’s all ask Santa that our Professors see how amazing our progress has been and call on us at the end of the class.

9. A gold medal (or any medal) 

There’s a saying you hear all the time which states that in Jiu-Jitsu you either win or learn. Learning with a defeat is important, but we all want to win! Let’s ask Santa to have at least one of those moments when we are the best of them all. A gold medal is a great thing to win and to cherish. Of course, working hard is essential, so let’s hit the mats.

10. To be featured on GRACIEMAG

It’s a strange but very fulfilling feeling to see your picture or your name published. It’s a great recognition of all the hard work and dedication. GRACIEMAG works hard everyday to showcase the best of the gentle art. Do great things and you should be there anytime soon. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Twitter and to like our page on Facebook.

Merry Christimas and a happy new year!

Hannette Staack with members of Brazil-021 School of Jiu-Jitsu team.

The GMA Brazil-021 School of Jiu-Jitsu lead by 8x World Champion Hannette Staack and her husband, the black belt Andre Terencio have a social project inside the poor “Borel” community in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which sponsors children to stay in school and training Jiu-Jitsu.

On December 19th, they are planning a Christmas party and need your help to buy food and toys for the kids in the project. By making a donation of U$40, you’ll get a 2014 competition t-shirt autographed by the famous fighters, Hannette and Terencio as a gift.

Click here to donate now!

For more information, please contact:

andre.terencio@brazil021.com

Brazil-021 School of Jiu-Jitsu

Owner / Co-Founder

Phone: +1 (773)803-6428

www.brazil021.com

Imperial at his table, covered with Gracie Diet foods: Jiu-Jitsu begins at the mouth. (Photo by Gustavo Aragão/GRACIEMAG)

With each new GRACIEMAG issue, at better bookstores the world over, come interviews, techniques (TRAINING PROGRAM section), the history of the sport (ANTHOLOGY) and, of course, pointers on the Gracie Diet.

One year back, we printed an interview with Marco Gracie Imperial, who shared with us a preciosity from his family’s menu: a Christmas recipe that follows the guidelines established by Grandmaster Carlos, who researched and popularized the diet.

In Marco’s own words:

“Last Christmas I made chestnut soup with olive oil, whole grain rice with rosemary, a pie whose breading was made from rice flour—and the filling from string beans and creamy white cheese.”

Did that get your mouth watering? There’s more:

“The juice was carrot juice—one glass per person. Here at home the kids still eat turkey breast and fish. I’m more radical; I’ll only eat egg, fish or frog twice a week, which goes for white cheese, too. On Christmas, all I had was the chestnut soup. Under the Gracie Diet, you don’t eat for eating’s sake, to get stuffed; you eat only what you need. You eat because it’s what your body is calling for and to feel well afterwards, not just to scarf down something tasty, fleeting, and that does you no good,” teaches Imperial in the interview.

Did you like that? Don’t want to miss any other pointers on how to get healthy and be all the more formidable at Jiu-Jitsu training?

Then

Anderson Silva’s Bentley Continental GT / Photo by Jorge Guimarães

Christmas is a time for gathering of families and friends, as well as for gift-giving. Even 20 days before the official date, UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva has already received a treat from his employers. Dana White gave the “Spider” a Bentley Continental GT.

The vehicle costs around BRL 900,000 (around USD 450,000) in Brazil, goes from 0 to 96 km/h in 4.4 seconds, and can reach speeds of 300 km/h; so Anderson had best go easy with his feet.

The owner of the same model, light heavyweight champ Jon Jones has already provided a good lesson of what not to do, when he lost control and ended up in a nasty fender-bender late one evening.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za3kVxAr82c

Merry Xmas and an exciting New Year, dear reader! Thanks for all your support and comments in 2011!

If you don’t want to miss any GRACIEMAG issue in 2012, click here! 

Check out the animation, clicking here. 

But how about we do something to make sure hundreds of them don’t go presentless – and get to brush up on their Jiu-Jitsu with Professor Marcio Feitosa, to boot?

Well then, this Saturday, December 17, Márcio will be at Gracie Barra Irvine for a seminar, the price of entrance for which is a play thing for the Toys for Tots program.

But there’s more:

There’ll be a pre-seminar parents and kids class.
Food and drinks will be served.
Plus there’ll be a GB Wear blowout sale, with 30% of the proceeds going to the program as well.

All GB members are invited, as are the instructors and staff from the different schools in the region.

The holiday season is just around the corner, so how about we make some children happy?

Claudio França and his young troop. Photo: personal archives.

Energies replenished following a surf trip to El Salvador, Claudio França had even more to be pleased upon his return to California. At the No-Gi Worlds, the teacher some his young students take third in the overall juvenile team contest. American Top Team won the division, with Santa Fe BJJ in second.

“All the kids who went earned medals. That’s great incentive for the guys who are just starting out in competition,” he said in jubilation.

Claudio now invites everyone to attend his academy’s next seminar, the intriguing “Black belt’s Favorite Techniques,” coming up November 20 at Claudio França academy in Santa Cruz, California.

At the event, each of the academy’s black belts will share his favorite technique with participants. Furthermore, there’s a drive to collect toys to be distributed during end-of-the-year festivities.

The seminar starts at 1pm local time. For further information, visit claudiofrancabjj.com.