 All active RSA members will receive special pricing on any preowned vehicle at any of Servco’s Oahu locations.
• Servco Toyota Honolulu • Servco Toyota Leeward • Servco Toyota Windward • Servco Subaru Waialae • Servco Subaru Honolulu • Servco Lexus Honolulu Please contact Justin at: (808) 778-7207 or [email protected] to schedule an appointment. We are honored to announce a truly special event at RSA. Since Relson Gracie’s return to Brazil a few years ago, our appreciation has only deepened for the rare privilege we had in learning from him here in Hawai‘i. As one of the original Gracie brothers who helped ignite the global martial arts revolution, Relson Gracie remains a living legend and a direct link to the roots of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This is a rare opportunity to learn from the source, and we strongly encourage everyone to mark their calendars and be part of this moment in our academy’s history. We will also be holding a special promotion ceremony during the event, and your presence and support will mean the world to all those celebrating their journey. Thank you for being part of the RSA family — we look forward to seeing you there!
In our BJJ classes, I’ve sometimes observed that some students deal with frustration and the desire for perfection especially during challenging drills or competitions. These feelings are natural, yet they can sometimes hinder progress and enjoyment.
To shed light on these experiences, I’ve curated a series of videos by Dr. Patrick Cohn, a mental game coach specializing in youth sports psychology. These resources explore emotional hurdles young athletes may face and offer different ways of understanding them:
Understanding the Impact: Three Key Concerns 1. Increased Risk of Anxiety and Depression Children who feel pressured to be perfect often experience heightened levels of anxiety and depression. This can stem from fear of failure, comparison, or external expectations. 2. Heightened Frustration Leading to Performance Decline Excessive frustration can negatively affect performance. When kids focus more on outcomes than learning, it can lead to tension, mistakes, and loss of motivation. 3. Burnout and Loss of Interest in the Sport When perfectionism and pressure persist over time, some young athletes feel mentally and physically exhausted—often losing interest in the activity entirely. 4. Disruption of Flow: the Optimal Learning State The constant stress of needing to perform perfectly can prevent children from entering flow: a deeply focused mental state where learning, enjoyment, and peak performance converge. As highlighted in my master’s thesis on peak performance, flow is essential for meaningful development. Without it, learning becomes forced and mechanical rather than natural and fulfilling. These examples highlight common psychological challenges that come up in youth sports, particularly in BJJ. Parents and coaches who understand these emotional responses may be better positioned to support long-term growth and enjoyment. With over two decades of experience teaching kids and a background in psychology focused on growth and performance, I’ve found these topics to be especially important. Still, you know your child better than anyone. These videos and ideas are just shared as food for thought and something to consider and adapt however feels right for your family. Thank you for your continued support and for trusting us with your child’s development. Your involvement plays an important role both on and off the mat. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu schools vary widely in structure, goals, and culture. This overview offers a clear look at how RSA’s mastery-focused approach differs from more commercial models, helping students and families better understand what defines the training experience.
We are pleased to announce that our small kids (ages 5-7) classes are now open for new applications. Intermediate level classes will commence at 5:15 pm and continue until 6:15 pm. Beginner students (ages 5-7) will have their sessions from 5:15 pm to 5:55 pm. For a detailed overview of the updated schedule, please visit our Schedule Page. Aloha!
My brother Dr. Shiraki has had some great local commercials for HBC for over two decades, this is my favorite. Congratulations to Juno, Kevin, and Rich on receiving their Brown Belts tonight. A great accomplishment for three great guys. 
 Congratulations to the latest Jiu-Jitsu Hawaii Black Belts: Sean. Wade and Craig. All of your dedication and hard work has brought you to the next phase of your journey. Thank you for all your service in helping the next generation and the "class" you've all demonstrate in your activity. A true honor to say the least. Congratulations to Justin and Kalani also received their second degrees on their Black Belts and to Johnson who got his Purple Belt. Amazing Job guys. No short cuts. Remember your lineage/roots and many will be inspired by your character for years to come.
We are also very stoked for Harold, Richie, Daniel, and Kaven on their amazing performance at this weekend's tournament. Amazing job guys. Special seminar tomorrow 6:30-7:30 pm with Relson Gracie. $40 per (Kids $20 per).
We will also have 5 high ranking promotions at 7:30 pm. Please come and honor one of Relson Gracie's most revered students, Sam Mahi. This is a once in a lifetime event that you do not want to miss!
Mahalo Diane Ako and the KITV News Team  CLICK ON IMAGE TO WATCH STORY Congratulations Nainoa Abreu on attaining the rank of Purple Belt tonight. We are very grateful to have the Abreu family as an important part of our team and family. Keep training hard guys and we look forward to all the success in the years to come.  Congratulations to all the guys showing awesome technique in today’s tournament. Amazing performance!
KIDS Noah Richie Niko Alex ADULTS Nainoa Isa Dylan We are grateful for all of you guys! Beginning in January 2024, Friday adult open mat will no longer be on the schedule. Friday Intermediate / Advanced Kids classes will run until 6:30 pm for ninety minutes total.
Saturday Competition Kids practice will resume on January 6th from 1:00 pm to 2:40 pm for an increased total of one hour and forty minutes of mat time. We hope you have a wonderful New Year holiday and look forward to seeing everyone back on the mats. Competitors please gear up for the next tournament in Mid February. Congratulations to RSA Participants:
Chauncey Gold Dylan Gold Richie Gold x2 Koa Silver Also congrats to all the Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Association student’s who entered the tournament. Jean Vandesteen is one of Relson ‘s most revered instructors in the world. Support this rare RSA event! Register today. Congratulations to all the Relson Gracie Association Competitors on a job well done. We are grateful for all the support and for the special visit from the Grandmaster himself. Let’s all get ready for November 18th.
Tom VIllalon accepted a job in DC and will be leaving Hawai’i next week. Last night was his last time on the mats. We will miss the great vibes you’ve brought with you daily, stimulating conversations, the chains, and mustache. Take care Tom.  Big mahalo to Hawaii Triple Crown on a sold out event. Every competitor form RSA had multiple matches and we are stoked on their performance.
Congratulations to everyone that represented our school and also to the other Relson Gracie Association students and coaches! Awesome job. Due to multiple inquiries on providing classes for 5-6 year old kids, RSA has scheduled a class held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 to 4:40 pm. We welcome everyone who is interested to contact us using our Free Intro form to join.
DANIEL CERVELIN | RELSON GRACIE | DR. JIM SCOGGIN Congratulations Dr. Jim Scoggin (30 years of loyalty to Relson Gracie) and Daniel Cervelin (17 years of training at RSA) on achieving the rank of Black Belt. Also, to Chris Laird (30+ years training under Relson Gracie) on attaining the rank of fourth degree Black Belt. You guys are awesome! Everyone I witnessed go through the process of getting their Black Belt and passing the Relson Gracie test has always made me feel so grateful and happy for them and excited for the future. It is so awesome to be part of the journey from white belt and beyond. I’m glad you guys persevered and are part of RSA. I will never forget. Thank you RSA Black Belts. Also, thank you Laurent for being an indispensable part of our program. We value you. Aloha everyone! From: Ronn Shiraki AUGUST 21, 2023 RSA STANDARDS AND BEST PRACTICES FOR
UPPER BELTS / INSTRUCTORS 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. All members are required to change in the bathroom at all times if stripping down to underwear. If you are uncomfortable with changing in the bathroom, we ask that you change in your car or at home before entering the dojo. We do not allow members to dress for class in hallways or the outside areas. 5. Video taping and inappropriate conversations in person or via digital communication are not allowed between instructors and students. 6. Kids must remain in eyesight of their parents at all times before and after classes. All students under the age of 14 must wait for their ride to arrive in the dojo hallway. 7. RSA has been built on many 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. Those who have violated the sacred trust of the teacher student relationship will be asked to step away from the academy. However, we are confident that those lacking the integrity to maintain appropriate relationships and boundaries will remove themselves. If this is the case, please demonstrate respect for the team and remember all you’ve attained at RSA. The policies and procedures may seem to be too rigid for some. If this is true for you, please find another place to train. 8. Private Lessons with Instructors and opposite sex or minors are only allowed in the dojo with two or more adults present. We are serious about avoiding any problems that may arise from home training or one on one private sessions. |
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