Introducing.......
The Ottawa Academy Of Martial Arts
www.oama.ca
So a quick introduction to the sports first...
Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazillian_Jiu_Jitsu
In 1914 a Japanese Judo and Jiu-Jitsu master named Mitsuo Maeda came to Brazil. In return for help from the Brazilian politician Gastao Gracie, Koma taught Jiu-Jitsu to Gastao's son Carlos. Carlos in turn taught his brothers. They went on to further refine the art via constant no-rules competition, developing what is now known as Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (also known as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or BJJ). Renzo Gracie is the son Robson Gracie and grandson of Carlos.
The sport teaches that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend against a bigger, stronger assailant by using leverage and proper technique—most notably by applying joint-locks and chokeholds to defeat the other person. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can be trained for sport grappling tournaments (gi and no-gi) and mixed martial arts (MMA) competition .[3] Sparring (commonly referred to as 'rolling') and live drilling play a major role in training, and a premium is placed on performance, especially in competition.
Muay Thai
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muay_Thai
Thai boxing has been around for over a thousand years, However, it can be traced back using records to 400 years ago in the former capital of Thailand known as Ayuthaya. In Thailand, Muay Thai evolved from muay boran (ancient boxing), an unarmed combat method which would probably have been used by Siamese soldiers after losing their weapons in battle. Some believe that the ancient Siamese military created Muay Boran from the weapon-based art of krabi krabong but others contend that the two were merely developed alongside each other. Krabi krabong nevertheless was an important influence on Muay Boran and so Muay Thai as can be seen in several kicks, holds and the movements in the wai khru which have their origins in armed combat.
The word muay derives from the Sanskrit mavya and Thai comes from the word Tai. Muay Thai is referred to as the "Art of Eight Limbs" or the "Science Of Eight Limbs" because it makes use of punches, kicks, elbows and knee strikes, thus using eight "points of contact", as opposed to "two points" (fists) in Western boxing and "four points" (hands and feet) used in sport-oriented martial arts. A practitioner of Muay Thai is known as a nak muay. Western practitioners are sometimes called nak muay farang meaning foreign boxer
The Academy
At OAMA (Ottawa Academy of Martial Arts) there are a multitude of classes in each sport taught. There are three main programs offered: Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), Muay Thai (Thai; Thai Boxing), Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Also offered is the Kids Japanese Jiu-Jitsu program and the kettlebell program. There are currently three locations one on Carling avenue in Ottawa, Hazeldean road in Kanata and in on Laurier street in Rockland (our newest edition).
The Brazilian Jiu-jitsu program is affiliated under Renzo Gracie.
Within each program there is a variety of classes and instructors to ensure every student can get the most out of their experience. In the BJJ program there are five regular instructors: Pat Cooligan (Gracie Black Belt and Head of OAMA), Matt Hache (Brown Belt), Gerhardt Blume (Brown Belt), Peter Fazekas (Purple Belt) and last but definately not least, Nick Castiglia (Purple Belt). In Muay Thai there are four regular instructors (Krus) Kru Mark Holst (UFC Veteran; first UFC fighter from ottawa), Kru Jeff Harrison, Kru Nick Castiglia and Kru Devin Henry. The MMA program is taught by almost all of the previously mentioned instructors because to fight in MMA you need both a ground and striking background. In Kettlebell there are three certified instructors, Nick Castiglia, Chris Gifford and Kru Mark Holst.
Each program has something special and unique to offer. I'd be happy to answer any questions about the porgrams however if you are in the area and would like to join up it's much better to just come in and try it out for yourself. Also, I didn't take the time to talk about the kid's program but if you have children and are interested feel free to ask or contct the academy.
ACADEMY CONTACT INFO
http://www.oama.ca/
613-728-0880
OR
613-831-7900
