Alright, everyone, I'm excited to announce a couple additions to our schedule.  The following classes are in effect as of now! New kickboxing class:  Sundays at 5 pm.  Description:  This class will be taught by Aaron's son, Aaron.  It will focus on fundamentals, with an emphasis on kicks.  For more info, talk to either Aaron! New Jiu Jitsu open mat: Sundays at 6 pm.  Description:  An open mat for higher belts who want a roll on the day of rest.  An opportunity for our new belts to drill and ask questions about the previous week's lessons from Joe Castillo and yours truly (Q&A w/Greg and Joe).  For more info, show up man!   Read the rest of the entry...

A video showing what goes on inside the walls of Paragon on a regular basis. We got Vick, Ryan Barnhill, Crystal, and Mary doing what they do best. Check it out. Hope you guys enjoy. Thanks - Jose http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0g8qDsGnphQ   Read the rest of the entry...

As we are working on opening the closed guard this week, I thought I'd kick my two cents worth on the subject.  The best piece of advice I have received since I started training has been to stand up in the guard.  What I mean is essentially what you guys have learned this week: getting a frame, maintaining good posture and then standing up.  This is easier said than done.  When I first tried to stand up in someone's guard, all I got was broken down and swept.  When I tried the next time, I got arm-barred or horribly choked, no big deal.  This continued to happen and continues to happen to this day.  But eventually I started standing up in my friends' guards and eventually I started breaking those guards.  It is not easy to stand up, and it's not a silver bullet, but I believe it is one of the most effective ways to break a guard. When framing off, keep one hand on your partners chest/sternum.  With your other hand, monitor his hip.  By setting up this frame, you can react to your partner's leg and hip movement.  With a gi, I'll grip both of my partner's lapels, ...  Read the rest of the entry...

Check out our flyer for this upcoming event on April 12, 2010 from 6-9pm!   Read the rest of the entry...

Once again, ask, children, and you shall receive.  Paragon yoga classes are starting Saturday, March 6th at 11 am!  This isn't going to be soft-serve yoga, guys.  Jen Green, an Ashtanga and power yoga instructor, visited the academy to watch us roll, and she created a lesson plan tailored to jiu jitsu!  I tried out her class and it's awesome.  Make it on opening day to check out our yoga program and welcome our new instructor!   Read the rest of the entry...

Sorry for the long wait guys. But here is the latest installment of our super fights. We have John Sandoval up against Sal, sorry Sal I forgot your last name, and Jeff's in action against Tomas Castelo. Tomas you got some skills man. Joe and Greg your fights up next, I promise. So check it out! And if there's anything you guys would like to see, let me know. Thanks guys, glad you enjoy them. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeX5DTCBPsA   Read the rest of the entry...

Paragon Jiu Jitsu came through big at this year's Copa Pacifica!  Milton looked strong taking first with a series of awesome sweeps from the butterfly guard.  John Sandoval rolled through his bracket, paragon sweeping the lot of 'em for first.  Jacob Sandoval had a number of epic rolls finishing with a crazy battle, taking first as well.  Nate Carter took first in his division as well.  Overall we took second place as a team!  Great job to everyone who competed! Check out this video.... Rick Mancilla Paragon BJJ ..... Jacob Sandoval @ Copa Pacifica ..... Some pictures of Nate, Joey, and Triston   Read the rest of the entry...

A few of us headed down to 2 tournaments this weekend.  Saturday we entered the Ouano Invitational Gi tournament first up Milton Bastos smashed his guys taking home the gold medal, Jacob Sandoval dominated his bracket while puting on a great show of jiu jitsu also taking home the gold, John Sandoval took 3rd in his first blue belt gi tourney, Joey Gould looking better every time he competes took 3rd, Adrianna Friedland took second having to fight a blue belt that was in a higher weight class, Nate Carter the Technique King looked exceptionally well in all of his matches his first match the score keeper was confused because the counter only goes up to 30 which means end of Nates first match was 30 something to ZERO!!!! As a matter of fact Nate dominated points in all of his matches, he ended up taking third referees decision advanced the other guy to the finals... (NATE GOT ROBBED).... Jacob Sandoval @ Ouano Invitational Sunday we headed down to Long Beach to compete in the Tuff Luv No Gi Tournament..... Once again Paragon looking very well. Jacob Sandoval gathering crowds with his display of Paragon Jiu Jitsu taking first place, John ...  Read the rest of the entry...

Guys, In case John's last post wasn't clear enough, and in case you wonder where everyone's been going these past few weekends (Six Flags?), tournament season is upon us.  Competition is an excellent tool for us in our drive to become solid, well-rounded grapplers.  The experience is essential for discovering holes in your game, finding your strengths and becoming mentally relaxed.  The more tournaments, the better.  Every time you compete, your mind gets clearer and you become more open to try new things and build a strong tournament strategy. It doesn't matter what level you are.  Nearly everyone is nervous in their early tournaments, the same as when you first started training jiu jitsu.  That's why if you are interested in competing, you need to put yourself out there often.  It's simple logic: do something enough and it becomes comfortable.  Think about your game now as compared to when you just started.  The difference is the amount of time you've spent on the mats.  The point I'm trying to make is that you need to get to that comfort zone early on in your jiu jitsu career.  That way by the time you reach the higher belts, you can bring your best ...  Read the rest of the entry...

The Copa Pacifica Jiu Jitsu Tournament has extended the sign up dead line til Feb. 18th that means to all the guys who told me they would have signed up IF THEY WOULD HAVE KNOWN DEADLINE WAS THE 13TH!!!! WELL HERE YOU GO!!!! hit the link and sign up.... Copa Pacifica Tournament JOHN SANDOVAL POSTED THIS   Read the rest of the entry...