Yesterday morning during our Saturday morning Family Class, I asked our students a simple question: “What is the difference between perception and reality?” The answers were fun, thoughtful, and a great reminder that we all see the world through our own experiences. The challenge is that sometimes what we perceive isn’t actually what’s happening. A Continue Reading
Where Are You Making Things Harder Than They Need To Be?
Sometimes the obstacle isn’t the thing itself. It’s everything we pile on top of it. That thought came to me during one of our youth Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes yesterday. We have a young man at the academy who recently turned seven years old and moved into one of our older classes. He is, quite honestly, Continue Reading
CURRICULUM: WEEK OF MAY 31ST
One of the biggest challenges in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu isn’t learning an armbar, escaping side control, or even showing up for your first class. Often, the biggest challenge is protecting your attention long enough to take meaningful action. We all have goals. Maybe you want to earn your next stripe, compete for the first time, lose Continue Reading
The 70/30 Split – Take the chance on yourself!
Today, I was reading a chapter from a book by MJ DeMarco, and one particular idea hit me harder than I expected. It was one of those concepts that seems incredibly simple on the surface, but the more you sit with it, the more you realize how deeply it applies to life. The question was Continue Reading
CURRICULUM: WEEK OF MAY 24th
The Mats Teach More Than Techniques One of the beautiful things about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is that the lessons extend far beyond the mats. A student who learns how to stay calm under pressure during sparring often becomes someone who can stay calm during stressful moments outside the academy. A child who learns how to Continue Reading
Celebrating Saki Kataoka’s Promotion to Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
At Otomi Martial Arts, one of the greatest honors we have as instructors is the opportunity to watch hardworking students grow over time—not just as athletes, but as people. Today (May 23, 2026), we are beyond proud to celebrate a very special milestone as Saki Kataoka was officially promoted to the rank of blue belt Continue Reading
