Jeff Sass:  BJJ Blue Belt

Second Degree Black Belt Exam

MDA 2010 Press Release

BEND’S ROY DEAN OF THE ROY DEAN ACADEMY NAMED MDA NATIONAL LOCK-UP ALL STAR
Roy Dean Will Be Honored on National Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon Labor Day Weekend

Bend, OR, September, 2010 – Roy Dean of Bend, OR has been named one of 25 MDA National Lock-Up All Stars by the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).  Dean raised $10,380 in “bail” to benefit MDA during the past 12 months – an incredible feat since more than 100,000 people participate in the MDA Lock-Up program each year.

Dean will be honored during the live national broadcast of the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, airing Labor Day weekend, Sept. 5-6. Dean earned the All Star designation in recognition of the time he spent “behind bars for good,” at MDA’s Bend Lock-Up, April 2010.

“Seeing so many of Roy Dean’s friends responding enthusiastically to his request for “bail” to help MDA speed research seeking treatments and cures for muscle diseases, underscores the tremendous value of friend-to-friend ‘asks’ for things that matter,” said Bend’s MDA Fundraising Coordinator Jenelle Ehlers. “Talk about being an inspiration!  We couldn’t be more pleased with the community support that Roy has galvanized to help Bend-area families affected by muscle-wasting diseases.”

MDA’s signature fundraising program, Lock-Ups are fun and unique events in which local business and community leaders agree to be “arrested” for having big hearts. Funds raised benefit local individuals and families living with muscular dystrophy and related progressive muscle diseases.  The Association makes efficient use of the charitable contributions it receives year round.  In fact, 83.4 percent of the $175.9 million in public funds MDA received in 2009 ($146.7 million) was invested into program services including patient and community services, research, professional and public health education.

Roy Dean is the owner of Roy Dean Academy, a progressive Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy located in Bend.  Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a highly effective martial art for men, women, and children. It relies on leverage, timing, and proper technique to overcome larger and stronger opponents. The Roy Dean Academy teaches in a safe, friendly, and controlled environment which fosters fun, camaraderie, and respect. Along with the Academy, Dean has a series of training DVDs that he gifted to anyone who donated $100 or more to his bail.

“Congratulations to all the Lock-Up All Stars,” MDA President & CEO Gerald C. Weinberg said. “The generous contributions they secure in MDA’s behalf make a vital difference for the families we serve. We are indebted to Roy Dean for being one of the nation’s brightest beacons for the public support that enables MDA to advance its lifesaving mission.”

“Its exciting to be able to help the local children and adults living with muscle disease right here in Central Oregon,” said Dean.

MDA, the first charity to be recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Medical Association (“for significant and lasting contributions to the health and welfare of humanity”), maintains some 200 hospital-affiliated clinics nationwide for adults and children with neuromuscular diseases.

Medical services in the mid-Oregon area are provided through Peace Health Riverbend in Eugene. In addition, area children with neuromuscular diseases enjoy a free week of MDA summer camp at Camp Living Waters in Springfield.  To learn more about MDA’s Lock-Up program, call (800) 572-1717 or visit http://www.mda.org.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research.  The Association also provides unparalleled health care services; advocates for the families it serves; and invests significant resources educating the medical and scientific communities, as well as the general public about neuromuscular diseases affecting more than 1 million Americans.

What Makes a Purple Belt in BJJ?

Jeremy Loomis: BJJ Blue Belt

Gareth Love: BJJ Blue Belt

New Album: End of Days

Finally, after going back and forth with the mastering engineers in Seattle seven times, my latest album is finally ready for release!  End of Days is a much darker and driving album than my previous work (Sound of the Way, Second Sound, and The Space Between).  But I think you’ll like it.  Give a listen and tell me your thoughts…

Jiu Jitsu Fest 2010

This Labor Day Day weekend, on Saturday, September 4th, RDA will host another Jiu Jitsu Fest celebration! 

Friday, September 3rd will have Jeff Sass testing for his blue belt during the afternoon class, and the I will lead the evening class where Academy members, Affiliates, and out of town guests can train, mingle, and roll.

My instructor, Roy Harris will be the main attraction on Saturday.  10 a.m. to 11 a.m. will be a short seminar.  11 to noon will be my second degree black belt exam.  We’ll break for a 2 hour lunch and regroup at 2 p.m.  Mr. Harris will then lead another 2 hour seminar, finishing at 4.

Cost of the seminar is $100.  You can register at the Academy, or by contacting Becky at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

See you there!

Upcoming Belt Demonstrations

August 28:  Jeremy Loomis- Blue Belt

September 3:  Jeff Sass- Blue Belt

September 11:  Neil Thompson- Purple Belt

September 18:  Steve Greenaway- Purple Belt

September 22:  Kirsty Geoghegan- Blue Belt

September 25:  Big Jim- Blue Belt

October 11:  Steve Kaneda- Blue Belt

October 16:  Sean Stoopman- Purple Belt

October 23: Robert Romo- Blue Belt

November 13: Brian Sorter- Purple Belt

Martial Arts Illustrated

Huge thanks to Seymour Yang for the beautiful article in this month’s Martial Arts Illustrated (MAI), Britain’s largest martial arts magazine.  The UK crew will be bringing several copies over on their next trip!

Ashtanga Yoga Bend

It wasn’t my intention to buy a yoga studio this weekend, but that’s exactly what happened.  My instructor, David Miliotis, pounced on another yogic job opportunity in San Diego, and was about to shut down the shala at the end of the month.  I love the space and the environment he’s created, and would hate to see it shut down so unceremoniously, so I made an offer to buy the studio in effort to keep it open.  Not only was David happy with our transaction, but I’m excited about making some changes that will make running the shala effortless.  I’ve already renegotiated the lease, talked to several members of the instructional staff, and have a subletting yogi lined up.  Busy week, but I’m honored to have the opportunity to keep Ashtanga alive in Bend.

Rolling Triangle from Scissor Sweep

Slick technique from Abmar Barbosa via BJJWeekly.com.  Study on this!

Alaska Seminar 2010

Gracie Barra Alaska hosted me for a seminar this last weekend, and as usual, it was a fantastic experience.  The seminar itself focused on a few concepts, several techniques that were linked together into a flow, and even some Q & A in the last 30 minutes. 

My good friend Bob Grunder also asked me to evaluate the Academy’s top brown belts for promotion to black belt.  Both Pat and Jarvis impressed me with their very technical games, skillful use of their weight, solid grips, and excellent passing.  Each evaluation took about an hour and rolled out like a spirited debate.  Reflecting on training with them both, I realized that I had probably learned more from them than they had learned from me.  In the end, I recommended both of them for black belt and look forward to the day they receive it from Professor Nelson Monteiro.

Camarillo Seminar Review

Joint Lock BJJ, an RDA affiliate, brought the “Armhunter” himself, Daniel Camarillo, to share his skills in a 4 hour seminar this weekend.  In a word, it was awesome.  Daniel was methodical, easy to follow, well spoken, and fierce in his demonstration of armlock techniques from all angles.  Particularly useful to me were his details on the elevator sweep, converting a horizontal pull into a vertical push with the arms, and the subsequent options of sweeping to mount, helicopter armbar, or taking the back.  Brilliant stuff! 

Huge thanks to Casey and Neil from Joint Lock BJJ, Dan Camarillo, and his talented uke Jerome Basilio.  We look forward to next time!

No Gi Essentials on iPad!

I am pleased to announce that the first BJJ app for the iPad has been released!  No Gi Essentials is now available for download, and I must say it came out better than I thought.  Optimized for the iPad, the compression is excellent, and the iPad is a much more convenient way to watch it than a DVD player.  Click here if you’d like to check it out yourself!