Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Certified Training Center - Lexington, SC

It's official.  My academy is a Certified Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Training Center.  I successfully completed the Instructor Certification Program this past weekend and am now authorized by Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy Headquarter's to offer Gracie Combatives and Gracie Bullyproof curriculum at my school.  I appreciate the confidence of the Gracie's to represent GJJ and I want to thank the Gracie Family (Rorian, Ryron, Rener and Ralek) for being my instructors in this program.  I also am very appreciative to Jack Walker (Valente Brother's Black-Belt) for spending so many hours teaching me Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.  I look forward to continuing to train with Jack.  Our current Gracie Jiu-Jitsu schedule is as follows (Our Nihon Goshin Aikido schedule will remain unchanged)

Monday and Wednesday:
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (Bullyproof)   5:00 to 5:55
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (Combatives) 8:00 to 9:00

Saturday:                        
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (Bullyproof)   10:00 to 10:55
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (Combatives) 12:00 to 1:00

It is important for current and future academy members to note that we will continue to offer top quality instruction in Nihon Goshin Aikido and Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.  Our program will consists of Three Tracks.

1. Nihon Goshin Aikido - Only
2. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu - Only
3. Both Arts - Unlimited

Anyone is welcome to try any class on our schedule for free (Nihon Goshin Aikido or Gracie Jiu-Jitsu).  Just call or email me a day or two before your intended class and I'll set it up.   We also will be introducing "Bring a Friend" Class on Wednesdays and Saturdays.   Any friend, neighbor, co-worker, family member, etc. can attend class along with any active member for free.  See me for details.

See you on the mats.

Sensei Carter
803.546.6079
senseicarter@gmail.com
http://www.cartersacademy.com/

New Partnership Location in Irmo, SC

We are proud to announce our newest partnership location and martial arts program in Irmo, SC.  Lake Murray Afterschool Academy will be opening this fall and we will be conducting our Aikido and Bullysafe programs at their facility.  Classes will begin Friday, September 9th at 4:00.  We will be offering a free introductory class for all the kids and look forward to working with the owner, Tara Gaskins.  For more information about both programs, please visit our websites.

http://www.cartersacademy.com/ or http://www.lakemurrayafterschoolacademy.com/

We will continue to offer youth classes at our existing partnership locations at Columbia Self-Defense and at New Heights School.

Enjoy the summer!

Sensei Carter

Classes Resume Monday July, 11th

We are completing our summer break and all classes will resume Monday, July 11th with Junior Jiu-Jitsu at 5:00, Junior Aikido at 6:00, Adult Aikido at 7:00 and Adult Jiu-Jitsu at 8:00. 

I look forward to seeing everyone back on the mats.

Sensei Carter

Summer Youth Combatives Camp

We just completed our summer 2011 combatives camp.  The kids and instructors all had a great time.  Some of the activities during the camp included, "Bully Battles", Jiu-Jitsu Training, Japanese Calligraphy,  Bullysafe and Stranger Awareness Discussions, Sensei Carter's Famous "Circle of Pain", an action packed grappling tournament, and good ole' fashion dodge ball.  Needless to say we had a blast.  We introduced "animal movement" this summer, where kids would move up and down the length of the mats mimicking various animals.  My personal favorite was the gorilla run.  I think the kids liked watching me and my assistants demonstrating the different movements.  Especially the duck walk and kangaroo hop.  Another highlight of the week was a new activity called "Battle Sticks".  This is where each kid got to take me on and battle it out with pugil sticks (the two ended staff).  Of course the two ends are padded foam and the kids all wore protective gear.  They certainly got in some nice shots. 

I want to thank Matthew Palmer (Sienna's Dad) for coming by on Wednesday to teach as about Japanese culture.  Everyone loved learning how to write in Japanese.  Stay tuned for our Japanese Culture Night at the dojo where we will learn more about the Japanese traditions, make sushi, and have other activities.

We topped the camp off with the grappling tournament on the last day.  The kids were excited all week for this event.  We learned valuable ground-defense skills throughout the week that were put to the test during our tournament.  All the kids showed, poise, character and good sportsmanship.  It was very exciting to watch, coach and referee this activity.  All the kids performed exceptionally well and appreciated the medals they earned.  I was a very proud Sensei after all was said and done.

I want to thank all the kids and instructors for attending our camp and I look forward to seeing everyone next year!



Japanese Story Time



Fun with Jiu-Jitsu

Top Control

Proud Calligraphers

Bullysafe Lesson

Sensei making his point

All smiles

Sportsmanship

Competitive Spirit

Japanese Calligraphy

Tournament Medals



Ryron Gracie Seminar: Lexington, South Carolina - Saturday, June 18th, 2011

We just completed an outstanding seminar with Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy Instructor, Ryron Gracie.  We had 30 people in attendance and covered great GJJ techniques including the clinch, leg hook takedown, mount control and guard strategies.  Ryron also discussed general Gracie Jiu-Jitsu training philosophy and strategy.  It was an honor to have him at my academy for his first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu seminar in South Carolina.  All the students enjoyed themselves.  In fact, I received numerous calls and emails soon after the seminar from attendees telling me how much they appreciated the opportunity to train and learn from Ryron Gracie.  I've included one such email below:

Mr. Carter,
I just wanted to thank you again for hosting such an awesome class. It was by far one of the best Father's Day presents I received this year. You and your students were very hospitable and professional. Ryron was amazing, I never thought I would be able to actually meet him let alone take a class from him. Again, thanks for bringing him here and making your facility available to not only your students but anyone (including myself) who was not associated with your school. Again, I was very impressed by the quality of instruction and professionalism I observed yesterday. For someone who has been in and out of martial arts for the past several years, I can honestly say that you and your school should be the standard others strive for. If everything works out, I would love the opportunity to train with you guys in the future.


Thanks and stay safe,


Scott Franklin
 

I look forward to having Ryron and the other Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy Instructors out to my academy in Lexington, South Carolina for seminars in the near future.  In fact, I will be traveling to the Headquarters Academy in Torrance California, next month to participate in the 2-Day final evaluation of the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Instructor Certification Course.  When I return on Monday, August 1st, I will be rolling out the formal Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Adult and Youth Programs at my academy.  We will continue to offer top notch instruction in the art of Nihon Goshin Aikido and all our scheduled Aikido classes will remain unchanged.  I have been committed to the art of Nihon Goshin Aikido for 25 years and will continue to expand my personal knowledge, skills and teaching abilities in this art.  We are simply adding a new dimension to our offerings, services and curriculum at our academy.  I am proud to be a practitioner of Nihon Goshin Aikido and Gracie Jiu-Jisu.



Me and Ryron Gracie.



New Summer Hours

Monday:
5:00 to 5:55 Junior Jiu-Jitsu
6:00 to 6:55 Youth Aikido (ages 8 to 12)
7:00 to 8:00 Advanced Aikido
8:00 to 9:00 Adult Jiu-Jitsu

Tuesday:
5:45 to 6:30 Youth Aikido (ages 5 to 7)
6:30 to 7:25 Youth Aikido (ages 8 to 12)
7:30 to 8:30 Adult Aikido (ages 13+)
8:00 to 9:00 Irmo Aikido (ages 13+)

Wednesday:
5:00 to 5:55 Junior Jiu-Jitsu
6:00 to 6:55 Youth Aikido (ages 8 to 12)
7:00 to 8:00 Adult Aikido (ages 13+)
8:00 to 9:00 Adult Jiu-Jitsu

Thursday:
5:00 to 5:45 Youth Aikido (ages 5 to 7)
5:45 to 6:30 Youth Aikido (ages 5 to 7)
6:30 to 7:25 Youth Aikido (ages 8 to 12)
7:30 to 8:30 Adult Aikido (ages 13+)

Friday:
6:00 to 6:55 Irmo Youth Aikido (ages 5 to 12)

Saturday:
10:00 to 10:55 Youth Aikido (all ages)
11:00 to 12:00 Adult Aikido (ages 13+)
12:00 to 1:00 Adult Jiu-Jitsu

Important Academy Announcements

Our June 20th Youth Combatives Summer Camp is full! We'll see everyone Monday, June 20th at 9:00am.

We have TEN spaces left in our June 18th Gracie Jiu-Jitsu seminar! (ages 14 and up)

Sensei Carter