A Complete Jiu-jitsu Program

Through the years, the NYMAG Academy has hosted many Black Belt instructors; from Gracie Family members to World Champions, giving our program a complete picture of the art. Where some schools focus on only one aspect or style of Brazilian or Traditional Jiu-jitsu training, we have extensive experience training top sport players, mma fighters, military personnel, law enforcement officers and recreational practitioners.

NYMAG is an Accredited Black Belt BJJ Academy; this is important to our students because they know their instructor is dedicated, experienced, certified to teach and technically sound. For those who wish to grade, having a Black Belt on hand during daily practice also allows students to obtain rank legitimately, realistically and fairly.

In addition to being an Accredited Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Academy, NYMAG is a member of the Special Operations Combative Arts Association and The American Kickboxing Federation. So whether your goal is sport, mixed martial arts, self defense, recreation or all of the above, we have the integrated martial arts experience to prepare you like no one else can.

World Renowned Instruction

Our Principal Instructor, Gene Simco has been certified by several Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Associations and trained with many different top instructors on both coasts of the US and in Brazil. He holds Black Belts in both Brazilian and Classical Jiu-jitsu; this diversity has helped create a full palate for our students to choose from; in this way, you'll never be caught off guard or left with unanswered questions.

Mr. Simco is highly respected as one of the foremost authorities on Jiu-jitsu in the World and is America's Leading Author on the subject; this, along with his diverse experience at so many Jiu-jitsu schools makes him one of the most sought after American Instructors of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu teaching in the United States.

He personally teaches Group Jiu-jitsu & MMA Classes and is available for Personal Training, which will accelerate your growth. Many of our clients are either busy career people who can not attend at the scheduled Group Class times or professionals who have a need for privacy and/or accelerated learning. If you are interested in Private Instruction, please be sure to make a note on your Online Application form.

Class Schedule and Structure

The Core of Mixed Martial Arts is Jiu-jitsu. Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is the art that revolutionized the Martial Arts world and opened our eyes to the reality of fighting. Since then, there isn't an MMA Champion who doesn't train in Jiu-jitsu, whether he lists it as his style or not.

In our many years of experience putting together a Jiu-jitsu and MMA program, we realized that having specific days for MMA or Sport Jiu-jitsu only works on paper, but not for the student. Let's say that a school offers MMA classes on Mondays and Fridays only; what happens if a student cannot attend those days due to work/family/school? That school is not serving the student's needs. Instead, we use Jiu-jitsu as the core of our program at NYMAG and show moves that are applicable to Sport, Self Defense and MMA situations. After the instructional segment of each class, students separate into groups depending on their particular interests and needs so that they may focus their training accordingly.

You can't have MMA without Jiu-jitsu; every class at NYMAG is a complete class, no matter what you are looking for we have it for you.

What is Brazilian Jiu-jitsu?

Unlike most other martial arts, it involves no spectacular throws and kicks and no ceremonial bows. Unlike boxing, it has no punching. And unlike virtually every other fighting technique, it does not rely on brute strength. Brazilian jiujitsu is a form of self-defense that takes place almost entirely on the ground. Fighters use snakelike grappling moves to choke their opponent, or, with the weight of their entire body, they press against key joints, bringing them close to a breaking point. Losers acknowledge defeat simply by tapping their fingers on the ground as if to say "Enough."

Part of the appeal of Brazilian jiujitsu is that smaller men - and women - can triumph over heavyweights. That became clear in 1993, when Royce Gracie, a 170-lb. Brazilian jiujitsu pro, expertly overcame 210-lb. wrestler Ken Shamrock, stunning pay-per-view audiences for the first Ultimate Fighting Championship, held in Denver. That match put Brazilian jiujitsu in the ring and on the map. It also gave the U.S. its initial glimpse of the Gracie clan. Royce's father Helio Gracie and his uncle Carlos Gracie spawned the fighting style in Brazil. Today their charismatic descendants - Gracie brothers, cousins and uncles - travel the world teaching regular folks how to win by bringing opponents down to earth.

- Time Magazine, May 2002

A "Complete" Martial Art

"Japan's original Jiu-jitsu evolved into the sportive practice of Judo, which was both good and bad for the art. Although this sport version of Jiu-jitsu gave practitioners a realistic, yet safe way to practice, the sport rules of Judo restricted the art and made it less versatile for practical self-defense. When the Gracie family learned Judo in Brazil, they revived some of the original less-sportive techniques and decided to call it Jiu-jitsu again. After years of development, like the founder of Judo (Jigoro Kano), the Gracie family decided to create a sport version of their art. This gave the practitioners of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu a realistic way to practice their art, and aided in the refinement of technique, but unfortunately it slightly dulled the art's effectiveness for realistic self-defense. I have been fortunate enough to learn the techniques of Classical Jiu-jitsu (pre-judo), Judo, and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu to an advanced level. This has allowed me to combine some of the "lost" Jiu-jitsu techniques that have faded during the art's sportive evolution with the highly effective art of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu in my program at NYMAG."

It's About Jiu-jitsu!

In general, Modern Martial Arts has strayed far from the way it should be taught. It's hard to find a professional martial arts school outside of a strip mall and away from the distractions of big glass windows and cash registers. At this club, we know you are here to get away from the day to day grind and we want you to forget about all that so you can concentrate on learning! We have created a relaxing, non-commercial environment; no sales-pitches, no retail store, no people watching from the street … just Jiu-jitsu.
 

A Friendly, Relaxed Environment

Whether you are a beginner or are from another school, the prospect of coming to a martial arts school as 'the new guy' can be intimidating. Don't Worry! Although our club is 'private', we welcome new members with open arms and as a member, you'll be treated like family. New members means new friends, new ideas and a more diverse group of people to work out with.
 

Your Needs First

Gene Simco is a Full Time Professional Martial Arts Instructor. While some teach for money between fights and use their students as training partners, Mr. Simco is a full time teacher who puts the needs of his students first.
 

The Philosophy and Additional Benefits of Jiu-jitsu

While some other martial arts may leave you with a pile of legal bills and a lot of explaining to do if ever employed, the techniques of Jiu-jitsu can be employed in accordance with the law. This makes it the perfect art for professionals on the job and law abiding citizens alike.

Jiu-jitsu is sometimes referred to as the 'Grandfather' of Japanese martial arts and has roots that can be traced to ancient times. Its name means 'gentle art' and the idea is to use your opponent's energy against him instead of using strength or flexibility; ANYONE CAN DO IT!

The members at NYMAG share a common belief in good character that compliments the true Jiu-jtisu practitioner and benefit from the camaraderie found here.

At NYMAG, we teach our students to be better than the attackers who oppose us on both a physical and moral level.
 

Frequently Asked Questions about Jiu-jitsu

No, competition is not for everyone. Jiu-jitsu is not just a sport. Sport Jiu-jitsu represents one way to practice the art. We do prepare students at NYMAG for tournaments if they desire to compete. NYMAG has produced champions on a local, state, and international level. To some, Jiu-jitsu is just a sport, but to others it is a way of life, self-defense, and a way to stay mentally and physically sharp.

Yes. Jiu-jitsu was originally developed as a battlefield art, but you should learn how to fight one person at a time first.

Jiu-jitsu is the grandfather of Japanese Martial Arts. Unlike all other arts previously this popular, Jiu-jitsu's popularity has not been manufactured by Hollywood movies, its reputation comes from effective fighting.

The program at NYMAG is educational and fun. You will learn effective self-defense, starting with the basics. Jiu-jitsu is easy, and anyone can learn. Jiu-jitsu can help to develop spiritual and moral attributes. It will strengthen your personality, improve your courage, and promote responsibility and good health. You will learn emotional control techniques as well as self-defense. Lessons are personalized. No previous knowledge or experience is required and instruction can begin as early as age 5.

Yes, Not only did Jiu-jitsu prove its superiority through the Ultimate Fighting Championship, it has stood the test of time. Jiu-jitsu is one of the only Martial Arts that you may legally use for self-defense. Most other Martial Arts rely on striking techniques that would severely harm your opponent and cause you to lose your job, get suspended from school, or go to jail. Jiu-jitsu techniques are designed to restrain, control, or subdue an attacker within the guidelines of the law - this is one of the reasons it is so sought after by law enforcement officials.

Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is unique in the sense that it is a complete Martial Art. It offers its practitioners a Full Body workout and the most realistic self-defense training available at the same time. Our members are a fortunate few who have the opportunity to train with one of the foremost authorities on Jiu-jitsu in the world today.

Mr. Simco is not only the first American to author multiple books on the subject of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, but is the only internationally recognized and accredited instructor of the art teaching in the Mid Hudson Valley region. His experience in a wide variety of Martial Arts allows him to paint a complete picture of self-defense for his students and has been privileged with information from some of the greatest masters and champions in the Martial Arts world including Brazilian Jiu-jitsu greats and Gracie family members.

Mr. Simco's instruction is sought after by thousands of people around the world. Through his books and personal instruction, he has educated people from all walks of life including military, police, and the general population in all 50 States and over 50 countries around the globe. Due to his academy's unsurpassed tournament record and high demand for instruction, we require people wanting to become students at NYMAG to schedule an appointment; you may do so by Clicking Here.

After submitting your application, we will review it and schedule you for the earliest possible appointment, where you can try a class and discuss your goals.