Blog Archives

New Men's Beginner Class on Tuesdays

4/27/2018

Starting on May 1st, RSA will be including a new beginner class for White and Blue Belt members held every Tuesday from 5:15 - 6:40. We encourage all new members to prioritize this class into their training schedule to get a good grasp of core Gracie Jiu-Jitsu fundamentals.

Reminder: SFP tomorrow at 5:30 PM
Parents please remember to pack a dinner, homework and any board games that you think your child will enjoy. We currently have over a dozen kids signed up, see you guys soon!

April 2018: Four New RSA Programs

4/7/2018

We would like to announce the following additions to the RSA program listing.

No. 1
April 6: Friday Night Men’s Competition Team

We kicked off our Friday Competition Team sparring class tonight with a good amount of participation. Please remember that this is open to all members [competitors and noncompetiors alike].

Time:
Rolling: 5:15 - 6:15 PM
Clean mats: 6:15 PM
Students out by 6:30 PM

Training will be overseen by Antonio Criado, with Ken, Pat and Lukas as supporting staff.
Sparring includes both gi or nogi.

No. 2
April 11: New Men’s Class for Beginners including an All Levels Open Mat session every Wednesday evening

Starting on Wednesday, April 11th, we will be starting a new Men’s White Belt class from 8:30-10:00 PM. The late evening session will follow the day class format. The 8:30-9:00 PM instruction time is only open to White and Blue Belts to maintain a lower instructor to student ratio thereby increasing personal attention by coaches and assistant instructors.

All Belt Levels on our men’s team are then welcome to attend the 9:00-10:00 PM open mat session.

As we continue to develop our student base into able teachers, this class will be taught by the following staff members:

James Kim
Evan Rhodes
Kevin Ko
Juno Chung
Mike Han
Lee Hyakawa

All of the listed teachers have been training for many years and will be able to guide our newest members through the basic techniques necessary for a solid technical foundation.

All Men White Belt students should make this class a priority each and every week to learn important basics, however, they should still come to classes offered on the other days on the RSA schedule. Blue Belts should try to come as well to refine their technical foundation.

No. 3
April 23: 8 AM Early Risers Men’s Class

For all the early risers at RSA, we will be starting a brand new morning class from 8:00-9:30 AM every Monday and Wednesday. Classes will start on Monday, April 23rd at 8:00 AM.

No. 4
April 28: Family support program: RSA Sitters for Parents [SFP] Service Project

Free service: 4 Hours Free with an included 1 hour plain clothes self-defense class.

Finally, in our efforts to develop our students in more than just one facet [Gracie Jiu-Jitsu] of their lives. We will also be offering a free family support service called the Sitters for Parents or SFP for short. To learn more about how this program can benefit the parents and families of RSA along with our friends at NHJJ, please visit the SFP page by clicking here. We would like everyone who could benefit from this program to take part and not hesitate one bit. Everyone will grow as the program takes root: parents, families and our SFP volunteers.

Our first event will be on Saturday, April 28, from 5:30-9:30 PM. We already have a permanent volunteer staff in place, outstanding members of our local community, including: a D.O.E. teacher, A professional personal trainer, a lawyer. a fighter jet technical lead and more.

We are particularly passionate about this program and hope that everyone will see the positive advantages this will give to our members and their loved ones.

Thank you goes out to every member and the contributions you each make in your own unique way.

Ronn Shiraki

Proposed Early Morning Classes: Feedback

4/5/2018

We are considering opening an early risers Jiu-Jitsu class on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM taught by Purple Belt Orlando Neto and a few others. However, we would like to obtain feedback from members and nonmembers alike to see if anyone would benefit from this addition. Please send an email to [email protected], subject: “early morning class” if you are interested. Please indicate in your message why you would like to have this option available. We will add this to our schedule if we have enough interest from our early risers.

Thank you.

RSA Rules of Conduct: for kids, men and women class members, parents, guests and all instructors

4/2/2018

My first and foremost priority is, and has always been, the safety and well-being of my students. Period. With the alarming number of reports in the media of sexual misconduct, inappropriate behavior, and inappropriate relationships in just about every conceivable forum (Entertainment, government and schools), I have taken it upon myself to be proactive on the matter and establish a number of rules to guide our instructors and all that come to RSA. The list of rules, outlined below, are non-negotiable. I realize that at times the rules may result in an inconvenience to some of you, but I would humbly and respectfully ask you to remember that the rules will be in place and remain in place for the safety and well-being of all concerned.
-Ronn Shiraki

RSA Rules of Conduct

All misconduct by anyone in the academy should be reported immediately to ANY staff member using all possible means necessary.

1. Anyone of the opposite sex, minors and all RSA instructors are never to be alone at the academy together [or alone in any rooms]. If a female/minor student, or parent find themselves at the academy alone with a male instructor, the female/minor student or parent must wait outside the dojo until another instructor or adult arrives. If a minor member arrives by themselves, parents are required to wait with their son or daughter before they leave until two adults arrive to the academy or Jiu-Jitsu related event. This is required as we do not want children waiting outside by themselves. The above policy extends beyond just the academy to: car rides, school activities and tournaments.

2. There is zero tolerance for any fraternizing between RSA instructors and female/minor students and parents. RSA Instructors are held to a higher standard and are prohibited from dating and corresponding with members and parents of the opposite sex. Furthermore, phone calls, text messages or communication through any other media such as social networks is specifically prohibited between instructors and students and parents of the opposite sex and all minors. This is to ensure that inappropriate interaction between staff members, parents and students are completely avoided.

3. In addition, women class correspondence should occur only through RSA Administrative Assistant [coach] Angela Yamashita at 286-7654‬. She can answer most questions regarding the women’s class [also available to answer any questions to kid parents] Specific concerns will be relayed by her directly to Ronn Shiraki.

We ask that communication from parents, members and guests are to be addressed in person at the academy or via contact page, text, phone call or email sent to Angela Yamashita. RSA manager, Justin Nihei is available to everyone through the same means. He can be reached by text at 778-7207. He will relay messages that need further information directly to Ronn Shiraki in a timely manner.

4. All members are required to change in the bathroom, shower room or locker room and keep the curtain or door closed at all times. If you are uncomfortable with changing in these areas we ask that you change in your car or at home. We will not allow members to dress for class in hallways or the outside areas [even if wearing clothing beneath gear]. Members and parents, unless assisting their children or taking class, are prohibited to enter the locker room prior to, during or after kids and women class sessions. All those who use the shower must enter and exit the shower fully clothed with tops and bottoms on.

5. Video taping and inappropriate conversations are not allowed between instructors and students.

6. Kids are prohibited from lounging, studying and playing in the Locker Room and must remain in eyesight of their parents at all times.

7. RSA has been built on 16 years of a lot of sacrifice, hard work, tears and, yes, blood. Our collective aim is to maintain the highest level of safety for everyone while growing and maintaining a reputation of excellence in professionalism.

All instructors, students and parents who have questions concerning these rules are encouraged to seek further explanation from one of our administration members.

New Men's Beginner Class on Tuesdays

April 2018: Four New RSA Programs

No. 1 April 6: Friday Night Men’s Competition Team

No. 2 ​April 11: New Men’s Class for Beginners including an All Levels Open Mat session every Wednesday evening

No. 3 ​April 23: 8 AM Early Risers Men’s Class

No. 4​April 28: Family support program: RSA Sitters for Parents [SFP] Service Project