Aikido Network

NEW!!!!! Adult Noon Executive Brazilian Jiu-jitsu classes start up THIS TUESDAY, February 18th! Now you can join us every Tuesday and Friday at noon for our Executive 35+ classes. #bjj #jiujitsulifestyle

We got to train with this guy over the weekend. Thank you to Professor Henry Akins for sharing your BJJ wisdom. Also, thank you to Justin Glasgow and 96 Jiujitsu for hosting at MAFA. 

Reminder:
No open mats today. 

Almost 30 years ago, (in July 1994), I started my Brazilian in Jiujitsu journey. It has been quite a ride and I have seen many changes in this martial art/combat sport. Back in the 90s, (before the internet), it was quite rough and tough as we tumbled on the mats with each other, basically fighting with only muscle, ego, willpower,  stubbornness and a little bit of technique. We had one instructor, and he was a blue belt from Rickson Gracie. Back then blue belts were held in such high regard because there were only MAYBE a handful in Canada. 

I remember stepping onto the mats as a silver medalist kickboxer, black belt in karate, and Tae kwon do, and an orange belt in a Aikido thinking how great of a fighter I was. I believe it took about 20 seconds for my new instructor to take me down and choke me out. I couldn’t believe it! I said to him, let’s do that again, you just got lucky. Quickly, I found out time after time that there was some validity in this art. I was instantly hooked and had to learn this craft.

Two years later, my instructor left, and the school closed down. I was forced to purchase VHS tapes through the mail and train with my martial art friends. I was determined to bring BJJ back to the London area so that I could share it with others. 

In 2005, I became the blue belt instructor, under the first Canadian to receive his BJJ black belt, professor Dan Moroney, under Royler Gracie.  Driving to Woodbridge every Thursday for almost 2 years, and taking two hours of private lessons and an hour and a half class, I achieved my goal of bringing BJJ back to the London area. 

In 2007 I met Dragan Konjevic in Kitchener Waterloo, and started private lessons, and attended 2 classes per week for about 2.5 years, and became a Dragan Alliance Brazilian Jiujitsu affiliate.

Today, Professor Dragan Konjevic continues to be my instructor and long time friend.  Thank you Dragan for your guidance and friendship for all these years, and years to come.

I want to give a HUGE thank you to my wife and family for their love and support over all these years, putting up with the struggles of running a martial arts school, taking care of our valued students, traveling to Japan, USA, and around Canada teaching seminars, and all of the injuries and surgeries I have sustained over the decades. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. I love you.

Thank you to Sempai Teresa, who has been fiercely loyal to me since 2000, when she first walked through our Dojo doors for self-defense lessons.  You have almost seen everything since we became a full-time Academy of the same year. You have been a great help and support system, while achieving your black belt in Aikido, Green belt in Goshin Jiu-jitsu, and practicing BJJ and Fusion Jiu-jitsu for as long as you can. 

Thank you to Sempai Matt Clements, for taking the photos of today’s events. You have been a great support since you walked through our doors in 2001. Achieving your black belt in a Aikido many years ago, and dabbling in some groundwork, you have achieved some great skills. 

Thank you to Tyler Crawford for helping teaching our BJJ program for over a decade. You were there when I needed you, and stepped up to the plate. Now that you are in Nova Scotia, do not forget about the legacy that you have left here at Bindner Academy. 

Thank you to Blair Bravender for taking over the important position that Tyler held for so long. Helping me teach 11 classes per week, gives me time with my precious family.

Thank you to all our students and staff  for making a Bindner Academy a great place to train, learn and grow. 

Sincerely,
Derek Bindner