Women at the Groundswell Grappling Concepts camp at GMA BTT Boston. Photo: Bruno Amaral

GMA Brazilian Top Team (BTT) Boston hosted the first ever Boston Women’s Grappling Camp by Groundswell Grappling Concepts on President’s Day weekend (February 14–17, 2014). The camp had over 40 women from all over the United States and of all ages and skill levels. The camp was run by black belts Valerie Worthington, Emily Kwok, and Hannette Staack and organized by Lola Newsom.

The weekend started off with a welcome dinner where new campers and “return offenders” alike were able to chow down on some Brazilian BBQ while getting to know each other and share a few laughs. Saturday and Sunday featured day-long training sessions in both gi and nogi, taught by Valerie, Emily, and Hannette. Our hosts BTT Boston head instructor Bruno Amaral and his student Nathalia Azoff also ran a gi session where they showed some of their favorite drills, techniques, and submissions.

In addition to the physical training, the campers and instructors wrapped up each day by sitting down together to discuss a variety of topics. These roundtables gave campers the chance to ask both the black belts and their fellow campers questions and also trade stories about their Jiu-Jitsu experiences.

The mission statement of Groundswell Grappling Concepts (GGC) is a limited liability company dedicated to supporting self-actualization through BJJ and grappling. They believe the mental, physical, and psychological demands of BJJ and grappling, when properly channeled, have the power to transform lives. They provide products and services aligned with this belief, and with the expectation that personal fulfillment contributes to societal improvement.

To learn more about GMA BTT Boston and their dedicated women, go to www.bttboston.com

More pictures from the event by BTT Boston’s own Bruno Amaral:

This month practitioners and fighters’ favorite Jiu-Jitsu magazine demystifies all the details regarding the omoplata hold.

In issue 186 of GRACIEMAG you’ll find all you need to know to fight with your back on the ground and sink one of the gentle art’s most useful moves – one that very well may save your skin in training, in the final of a World Championship absolute or even in MMA, as the publication shows, step by step.

Besides the famed position, you’ll also get to ramp up both your classic and modern Jiu-Jitsu studies in sections like our TRAINING PROGRAM, keep up with all the goings-on from the competition scene as of late, get a glimpse into the inner workings of UFC fighters, and much more.

To provide a taste of all the juicy lessons the issue has in store for you, we’re serving up a special breakdown of the omoplata by the black belt Marcos Schubert, one of the gentle-art professors featured in the issue.

Want to up your dose of Jiu-Jitsu knowledge?

Get your questions answered with the latest GRACIEMAG, at better bookstores the world over.

And if you’d rather get your favorite Jiu-Jitsu mag delivered to your doorstep for a slashed rate, click here to subscribe quickly and easily.

Fabio Tom-b and Osiris Maia at Brazilian Fight academy / Photo by Junior Samurai/Graciemag.com

One of the greatest life lessons Jiu-Jitsu teaches us is that there’s always an option.

That’s what black belt Osiris Maia, the headmaster at team Brazilian Fight and winner of the senior 2 medium heavyweight division at the latest International Master championship, teaches us today.

On attacking the back, Osiris teaches what to do if the opponent manages to get his head free. All he does is change sides of the collar and switch grips from a four-finger grip to one with the thumb on the inside.

Remember to keep your body flush up against your opponent when going for the choke.

Now what about your master, has he got a cool position you’d like to share with GRACIEMAG.com readers?

Email a YouTube link to us at videos@graciemag.com.

Bruno Frazatto sinks a triangle at WPJJ tryouts in Gramado. Photo: Ivan Trindade/GRACIEMAG.com.

The June issue of GRACIEMAG is on newsstands around the world, and our readers don’t lie: it’s one of the most complete and useful ones of recent times. Besides Training Program, Gracie Diet and the interview with world champ Léo Nogueira, your favorite Jiu-Jitsu magazine brings you a carefully crafted and complete Triangle Dossier.

It’s replete with vital tips from Jiu-Jitsu professors like Bráulio Estima, Caio Terra and Coach Rodrigo Cavaca, the man responsible for absolute world title-winning ace Marcus Vinicius “Bochecha”. What’s more, there’s even Ary Farias revealing the details behind four lethal triangle attacks. Whether on the attack or defense, you’ll know all the tricks to the pulling it off.

Don’t miss the chance to sharpen up your skills and grasp the concepts behind one of Jiu-Jitsu’s most cunning of moves—two hands and two arms against a single enemy neck.

Get your copy of GRACIEMAG at the bookstore nearest you.

And if you’re keen on receiving future issues in the comfort of your own home, just click here.