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
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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
Sometimes the Hardest Place Is Exactly Where You’re Supposed To Be
Sometimes the Hardest Place Is Exactly Where You’re Supposed To Be There is a moment that almost every person experiences when they begin Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. At first, everything feels exciting. The new techniques are fascinating. The movement feels different. The atmosphere is energizing. You leave class feeling motivated and inspired. Then eventually, reality arrives. Continue Reading
“What if Star Wars had the soundtrack from Toy Story instead?”
One of the beautiful things about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is that the lessons learned on the mats often become lessons that help us in everyday life. Yesterday during class, we had a conversation about something that affects all of us, children and adults alike: learning how to drown out the noise. To help explain the Continue Reading
CURRICULUM: WEEK OF MAY 17th
Learning Jiu-Jitsu is not a matter of memorization, but of movement and reaction. If you feel you are struggling and aren’t sure how to use your time in class effectively, we have a new session coming this week. “CT-A Fundamentals” is designed for students of any skill level to develop proper movement, training habits, and Continue Reading
