March 5, 2009 in News by Gumby

Meet our Youth Instructor Mike Strangis!

Mike is the head instructor of the kids and teens programs here at Heroes martial arts. He has been involved in grappling since childhood starting out wrestling and then making the transition to jiu jitsu in 2002. Mike is a purple belt in jiu jitsu, and has had success in in both gi and no gi competition.  Mike loves to work with children and teens and has been a dedicated instructor for over 3 years.  Mike was born and raised in San Jose and is proud to be representing Heroes Martial Arts in the heart of his hometown.

Youth BJJ in downtown San Jose!  460 South Market Street San Jose CA 95113 or call us at 408-288-8857 for more information!  www.HeroesMartialArts.com

March 3, 2009 in News by Gumby

Youth Programs Ramping Up!

Martial Arts are a great way to teach children valuable life lessons, get them fit and have them grow their self confidence!

Heroes Martial Arts provides a clean, safe and fun environment for kids to train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, proven one of the most effective martial arts around!

Our regular price for the kids program is $80, but for the month of March ask about how to take advantage of our $70 class offer!

Kids Class:

The kids class will be designed for ages 6-12. This class will last for 50 minutes and will first and foremost emphasize having fun and enjoying exercise.

The students will learn discipline and values all in the context of learning Jiu Jitsu.

The Kids class takes place Tuesdays and Thursdays at Heroes Martial Arts from 5:00 PM – 5:50 PM

Teens Class:

The teens class will be designed for ages 13-18 and will serve as a bridge for the children and adults classes.  The class will be one hour long and be structured in the same way as the adult’s lunch/corporate classes will be.

The Teens Class takes place Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Heroes Martial Arts.

Youth BJJ in downtown San Jose!  460 South Market Street San Jose CA 95113 or call us at 408-288-8857 for more information!  www.HeroesMartialArts.com

March 1, 2009 in News by Gumby

Hip Hop, Chess and Martial Arts in a picture…

In this photo (L-R) we see RZA the founder and leader of the legendary rap group the Wu-Tang Clan, Emory Tate an American International Master of Chess, Gumby the head BJJ Instructor at Heroes Martial Arts, Adisa Banjoko the founder of the HHCF (and long time student of Gumby’s at Heroes Martial Arts and Monk of the Black Knights.

Among the highlights of the day was a Jiu Jitsu demonstration given by Gumby and Adisa.  The event held at O Connell High School in San Francisco featured panel discussions,  music, graffiti and sidewalk art, martial arts and of course chess and showing youth strategies and outlets they could use in life.

At Heroes Martial Arts we’re always happy to be involved with and help the community and we’re looking to more opportunities in the future!

February 26, 2009 in News by Gumby

Hip-Hop & Martial Arts Converge Feb 28th in SF!!

Good Morning America Hails Hip-Hop Chess Federation & RZA using chess to keep kids out of jail.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – On Feb. 28th, join the organization Good Morning America Weekend hailed as, giving underserved and at risk youth, “…some of the most valuable tools they will ever need in life: patience, logic and strategy.”

On Feb 28th 2009, the HHCF will host a free all ages event, Mind Over Matter II at John O’Connell High School in San Francisco. John O’Connell is located at 2355 Folsom Street @ 19th and will run from 11 AM to 5 PM in San Francisco. There will be open gaming, book and video game give-aways and many other surprises throughout the day. Call (323) 335-4497 to learn more.

“In these times of financial stress we see violence is rising as bank balances drop. It’s critical that young people get a chance to learn directly from the stars and athletes, how to make good life choices,” said HHCF CEO Adisa Banjoko. “We greatly appreciate the time these artists give to the young people. We look forward to a big crowd, banging beats and making major moves on the boards.”

Banjoko added, “We have recently launched pilot programs at John O’Connell High School in San Francisco and The Ryan Academy in Norfolk, VA. Our students were moved by the story and we appreciate GMA Weekend for finding value in what we do.”

View GMA video (aired nationally on 2/15) online at http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=6882154 . The story follows HHCF founder Adisa Banjoko as he works with Wu-Tang Clans RZA to help show inner city youth more options in life.

As part of the Feb. 28th event, a celebrity Life Strategies panel will highlight the foundations of successful life strategies with RZA, Rakaa from Dilated Peoples, Casual from Hieroglyphics, Def Poetry Jams Amir Sulaiman and others. Additionally, there will gi and gi-less jiu jitsu exhibitions by Alan “Gumby” Marques from Heroes Martial Arts, Denny “300″ Prokopos from 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu and rope dart master Don Kiolbassa among others.

Past participants in HHCF events have included Josh Waitzkin, Eric Schiller, GZA from Wu-Tang Clan, DJ QBERT, Immortal Technique, Paris, Okwerdz, filmmaker Kevin Epps, T-KASH, Opio, San Quinn, Jay The Butcher, Sunspot Jonz, and MMA star Ralek Gracie and others.

February 26, 2009 in News by Gumby

2009 National Collegiate Judo Championships March 13-14

Heroes Martial Arts own Chuck Jefferson is President and tournament director.

Hosted by the NCJA & San Jose State University Judo
Held under the Sanction of USA Judo (United States Judo Inc)

http://collegenationals.com/

February 19, 2009 in News by Gumby

Thought for the Day

No matter what has been going on around me, I’ve never regretted a moment I’ve stepped on the mat. Even if I had to drag myself to class that day, afterward I am always glad that I did because it makes me feel better. I hope that I can help everyone that comes to Heroes Martial Arts feel the same way. -Gumby

February 14, 2009 in News by Gumby

ProMMA.info covers our grand opening!

Ralph Gracie black belt, Alan “Gumby” Marques, opened up the doors to his new school, HEROES Martial Arts in downtown San Jose, CA.

For full article, click here!

December 30, 2008 in News by Gumby

F.A.Q. About Heroes Martial Arts

Q:  Why Heroes Martial Arts?

A:  I’ve sort of made a brand for myself as “Gumby”, but calling the studio “Gumby Jiu Jitsu” would probably lead to some legal problems.  As many friends as I’ve made, more than a few wouldn’t recognize “Alan Marques BJJ” either because of the nickname I’ve made for myself (pretty much only my parents still call me Alan).  We could have gone with any number of more fierce or traditional sounding names, but that’s not really our style.  The name “Heroes” has a lot of different positive connotations, but primarily it’s because it appeals to the comic book nerd in me, and martial arts in some way is as close as most of us will come to living the super hero life.  Heroes is colorful and fun, and that’s what I want in a Martial Arts Studio.

Q:  No, I meant why should I train at Heroes Martial Arts?

A:  There are a lot of (excellent) choices to train in martial arts and even in Jiu Jitsu located in the San Jose area.  Heroes was formed because we love the martial arts, we love to teach, and we think that we have something to offer you.  We care very deeply about the progress of our students on the mat, and feel we have the ability to help you reach your highest potential. We are equally committed to fostering an atmosphere where everyone can feel welcome and be their self.   Furthermore, we strongly believe in teaching martial arts for the “real world” and whatever situation you find your self in, you’ll have a realistic sense of your skills and abilities.  Check us out, we think you’ll like us!

Q:  Is competition required to advance at Heroes Martial Arts?

A:  No, competition is purely an individual choice and most people who participate at Heroes will never compete.  It is about reaching your own maximum potential.  At the same time, those who decide to compete will do so knowing that the full support of Heroes Martial Arts is behind them and we will prepare you if that is your choice.   Classes are geared towards both types, and we feel the success of the academy is largely how everyone does their part to do better and help their fellow students get better.  It’s really a great dynamic!

Q:  Are there any rules or formalities I should be aware of at Heroes Martial Arts?

A:  In our teaching experience, we want to push and challenge the students, but we want to do in a safe, friendly environment.  The 3 “rules” we’ve set up are in order to maintain this type of atmosphere, with these guidelines in mind we hope that common sense will dictate your actions:

1:  I will enter the Academy with the mindset that I will somehow better myself every time.

2:  I realize that in order to better myself, it will take hard work and dedication.

3:  I will contribute to the academy, in that my fellow students will be able to follow the first two rules.

Above all, we hope you fun when you are training at Heroes Martial Arts!

Q:  Do you teach Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) at Heroes Martial Arts?

A:  Mixed Martial Arts is a relatively new sport on the scene, having first been introduced (to the United States) with the UFC in 1993, and has been seen an absolute explosion of popularity in the last few years.  MMA is a hybridization of a number of different disciplines in order to compete in a sport with specified (and shifting rules), including boxing, wrestling, muay thai, and arguably the most important aspect: Jiu Jitsu.  This requires the athlete to have some level of familiarization, if not proficiency in all of these styles.  The very top level competitors tend to have specialized in one area first and have developed to a very high level in it before cross training in other disciplines.

At Heroes Martial Arts, we have decided to specialize in the Jiu Jitsu and grappling arts in order to give our student a true depth of ability in these aspects.  The concepts and techniques learned can be applicable in a number of different situations, including self defense, sport Jiu Jitsu and even MMA.