We hope this site is helpful in acquainting newcomers to the school, as well as educating visitors to the benefits of Jiu-Jitsu, which include physical and mental health while learning the most effective martial art of sport fighting and self defense.
Benefits
Develop an in depth understanding of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and self defense principles
Safe classes taught by experienced professionals
Greatly improve flexibility
Participate in a challenging workout
Improve cardio and muscle endurance
Meet like-minded people
Our goal at Bruno Souza Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is to teach genuine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to anyone!
The workouts are geared toward the average person, are very informative, and tons of fun. Bruno Souza and the instructors at FMA have years of experience in both Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and teaching. They are dedicated to carefully working with you and helping you achieve your personal goals and develop your personal jiu-jitsu game.
Brazilian native and head instructor Bruno Souza has practiced BJJ for over ten years in the US and Brazil. He holds the rank of black belt under the guidance and mentorship of Roberto Maia of Boston Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, renowned instructor, and member of the Gracie family.
Every legitimate Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor should have a lineage back to a Gracie family member. Here is ours: Bruno Souza Roberto Maia (Boston BJJ), Carlos Gracie Jr. (Gracie Barra)
At FMA instructors are trained to offer challenging and exciting classes, while remaining vigilant of each student’s safety, always. We aim to create a fertile learning environment, and we pride ourselves in being a team of excellent communicators. Our experienced instructors know not all students are the same, and this understanding will help us deliver the best training for you.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a challenging martial art and sport, and is also a great activity to exercise the body and mind. At Bruno Souza Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu we believe a friendly environment is necessary for students to come to class, feel good, and improve. We want to share Jiu-Jitsu with you, not throw you into a survival battle ground.
Why Choose Bruno Souza Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
Aside from offering true expertise in genuine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, FMA instructors lead fun workouts and teach awesome self defense, while keeping student safety as our #1 priority. We understand students have different abilities - and most importantly - different goals. The BJJ instructors at FMA are dedicated to carefully working with you and helping you achieve your personal goals.
Bruno Souza Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a part of a greater association of schools called The Boston Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Network. The Boston BJJ Network holds regular association tournaments available to all our members. In addition, we offer regular seminars led by local black belt association instructors, as well as holding seminars taught by pioneers of our sport such as Renzo Gracie, Rigan Machado, Roberto "Gordo" Gouveia, Daniel Gracie, to name a few...
The techniques taught in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu are extremely effective and have been tested on knowledgeable and experienced martial artists who were not cooperative. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is meant to be practiced as a martial art where you can use little to no strength to subdue a much larger opponent without causing them harm.
Arrive 5-10 minutes early to check out the school, fill out guest waiver and try on uniforms. You do not need to own a uniform for your first class. The school will provide you with one for the class.
Warm Up
Classes begin with a light group warm up that may include running, jumping jacks, push-ups, etc. Class warm-up may also include ground specific drills that will be thoroughly explained and demonstrated by the instructors.
Techniques
Next, the students line up and the instructors demonstrate techniques. You will be paired up with another student of similar weight to practice while the instructors pay close attention. After you try the moves a few times, the instructors will give your group and other groups individual help to better fine tune the techniques.
Positional Drills or Specific Training
Depending on the class, towards the end, you will be able to try the moves against a partner that may be resisting. The instructor will indicate how much resistance students should use according to each drill (Example: 50% resistance or 80% resistance). This is a great way to improve your newly learned skills and an awesome, safe workout.
Sparring (Rolling)
Rolling is always a controlled training session where students practice their Jiu-Jitsu techniques on each other. As a new member of FMA Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, during your first class, you will not participate in any sparring or rolling and will instead watch this part of the class. For safety and other reasons, this part of the class is reserved for students with some experience. The instructors will first teach you specific positions and drills so that over the upcoming weeks you are slowly and comfortably introduced to training live with a partner.
End of Class
Students line up, bow to instructors and shake hands with instructors and fellow BJJ practitioners. After having enjoyed a great BJJ class as a new student, you can speak to staff about enrollment in our school, purchasing a uniform or ask any questions you may have about training Jiu-Jitsu at our school.
The History of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Some historians of Jiu-Jitsu say that the origins of "the gentle art" can be traced back to India, and was practiced by Buddhist Monks. Concerned with self-defense, these monks created techniques based upon principles of balance and leverage, and a system of manipulating the body in a manner where one could avoid relying upon strength or weapons. With the expansion of Buddhism, Jiu-Jitsu spread from Southeast Asia to China, finally arriving in Japan where it developed and gained further popularity.
Bruno Souza Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a part of a greater association of schools called The Boston Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Network. The Boston BJJ Network holds regular association tournaments available to all our members. In addition, we offer regular seminars led by local black belt association instructors, as well as holding seminars taught by pioneers of our sport such as Renzo Gracie, Rigan Machado, Roberto "Gordo" Gouveia, Daniel Gracie, to name a few...
In the last days of the 19th century, some Jiu-Jitsu masters emigrated from Japan to other continents, teaching the martial arts, as well as competing in fights and competitions. Esai Maeda Koma, also known as "Conde Koma” or Count Koma, was one such master. After traveling with a troupe which fought in various countries in Europe and the Americas, Koma arrived in Brazil in 1915, and settled in Belem do Para the next year, where he met a man named Gastao Gracie. The father of eight children, among them five boys and three girls, Gastao became a Jiu-Jitsu enthusiast and brought his oldest son, Carlos Gracie, to learn to fight from the Japanese master.
For a naturally frail fifteen-year old Carlos Gracie, Jiu-Jitsu became a method not simply for fighting, but for personal improvement. At nineteen, he moved to Rio de Janeiro with his family and began teaching and competing in the martial arts. In his travels, Carlos Gracie would teach classes, and also proved the efficiency of Jiu-Jitsu by defeating in competition adversaries who were more physically strong. In 1925, he returned to Rio and opened the first school, known as the "Academia Gracie de Jiu-Jitsu."
Since then, Carlos Gracie started to share his knowledge with his brothers, most notably Helio Gracie who adapted and refined the techniques to his naturally weaker characteristics. Also, Carlos Gracie taught the other Gracies his philosophies of life as well as his concepts of natural nutrition. Eventually, Carlos Gracie became a pioneer in creating a special diet for athletes, "the Gracie diet," which transformed Jiu-Jitsu into a term synonymous with health.
Testimonials
From the first time my family and I walked into this school, it felt like home. Not only are all the staff extremely welcoming and kind, but they are incredibly skilled and phenominal teachers. Learning this art from Bruno Souza and Shane Brady is such a privilege! Their knowledge and instruction are superior. Every class is challenging and extremely rewarding. I cannot say enough about this place. It has transformed our lives, and we are so happy to be apart of this community!
Audry Aubin
Having never set foot in a martial arts building, and knowing nothing about any of the arts, I was apprehensive about enrolling in a class. All fears were set aside after the first boxing class. Everyone was so welcoming that by the second class, staff and students alike felt like long-time friends. Loved it so much I enrolled in not just boxing, but also Jiu Jitsu. The staff is highly knowledgeable, personable, accommodating, and fully committed to your success. The facility is clean and well equipped for a variety of classes.
Meghan Stahl
I take women's kickboxing and it's one of the best fitness classes I've personally, ever taken. I especially love the instructor's, and my classmate's positive energy. I will definitely enroll in more classes in the future.
Megan Foley
I went here for a few months during the summer and will continue when I get back from school. I enrolled in their Brazillian JiuJitsu (BJJ) program. The instructors (Shane, and Bruno) were extremely helpful and knowledgeable. They broke down each move enough that you understood it but they didn't over simplify the move in anyway. I am very excited to rejoin this BJJ family come spring and get back to training. Its super fun, a great workout! What else could you possibly want?
John Smith
Great learning environment for all ages! My two sons, my wife, and myself all train BJJ here and could not be happier. This is more than a martial arts school, it's a family here.
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