Ian Hall

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) is more than just a martial art or a form of self-defence. It is a journey that cultivates discipline, focus, and resilience. When you commit to BJJ training, you are not only learning techniques but also developing habits that shape your character and daily life. This post explores how BJJ training for discipline can transform your mindset and behaviour, offering practical insights and encouragement for anyone starting or continuing their path in this art. The Role...

On Saturday we are holding our summer grading day at Ascend Jiu Jitsu. If you have never attended one, you might wonder what actually happens. It is not a competition. It is not an exam. And it is nothing like what you might imagine from watching martial arts films. Here is what a grading day at Ascend actually looks like, and why it matters so much to the people who earn a promotion. Who Gets Graded Not everyone grades every time. BJJ Grading day at Ascend Jiu Jitsu in Ashford is open to...

One of the most common things new members say at Ascend is some version of the same sentence: "I wish I'd started sooner." Not "this is too hard." Not "I'm too old for this." Just a quiet regret that they spent years assuming jiu jitsu was for someone else: someone younger, fitter, more athletic. If that assumption is the thing keeping you off the mats, this post is for you. The objection almost everyone arrives with Most adults who walk into our academy in Ashford have already talked...