journeyjjbluebelt

Around this time two years ago, a purple belt, had brought me to Gracie Jiu Jitsu for my first lesson. Upon entering the mat, he immediately taught me the Upa. That was what new students learn in their first lesson. The upa is a defense against an attacker where the aggressor has you pinned and is throwing strikes to the face. The aggressor’s hips must be on top of your hips in order for this to work.

Normally, an instructor will show the student, but the fundamental class was on lesson 15 and the Upa is lesson one. I was impressed and knew that was a great defense. After class, I signed up for a year.