Innovation, Technique, Fitness, and Yes…Fun: 10^th Planet Jiu-Jitsu

 In a city that is already teeming with world class martial arts training centers, Vancouver welcomed one of its latest and greatest: 10^th Planet Jiu-Jitsu.  Recently, f.i.l.e.s. spoke to 10^th Planet Vancouver’s instructors Dan Rizzuto and Nabil Salameh to get the low down on what its like to orbit the 10^th planet..

Lets start with a brief history lesson on Eddie Bravo just to contextualize the importance of 10^th Planet’s arrival here in Vancouver.  10^th Planet Jiu-Jitsu is the only no-gi system of Jiu-Jitsu pioneered by Jiu-Jitsu innovator Eddie Bravo.  Bravo was himself a student of a bonefide Jiu-Jitsu superstar, Jean Jacques Machado.  Machado earned a blackbelt from the legendary Carlos Gracie and is a highly decorated BJJ competitor, winning several BJJ world championships and the prestigious Abu Dhabi Submission Wrestling World Championship.

 Bravo himself was a distinguished competitor.  Amongst his many competitive highlights was a submission victory against BJJ legend and master technician Royler Gracie, the first and only time a Gracie has ever been tapped out in a competition.  Despite this however, Bravo is probably best known for creating a system of Jiu-Jitsu that is known for dynamic moves and innovation. Bravo is renowned for focusing his system on dynamic attacks from unorthodox positions, and for constantly evolving techniques so that his system continuously grows and improves. Because Jean Jacques is missing the fingers on one of his hands instead of grabbing the sleeve and collar he would use over & under hooks to set his techniques up. This greatly influenced Eddie.

 The fact is, however, that sound practices and dynamic techniques do not create good fighters.  Don’t get me wrong, you need a good system to work with.  But, what really makes training and fighters good is what Rizzuto calls “the human element”, to whom he credits Frank Shamrock for teaching him. (Rizzuto it a 9 year veteran of Team Frank Shamrock)   So what is the ‘human element’ you ask?  It’s the intangibles of training in martial arts that turn a great system into exceptional training.  Of course, 10^thPlanet is based on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but it is also so much more.    

 At 10^th Planet you learn skills, but unlike many schools you can learn any techniques that make you a better fighter, even if this means adapting, changing, or dropping techniques from the system and incorporating effective techniques from other systems. At 10^th Planet learning itself is paid the highest premium and not dogmatically adhering to a pre-defined system.  One of the most important principles of 10^th Planet is conditioning.  Consequently, built into every class is hard work and work outs.  You don’t just learn fighting skills at 10^th Planet, you learn how to be healthy. 

 In the martial arts community there is a saying: you’re only as good as your trainers.  It is in this regard that 10^th Planet really stands out.  Rizzuto and Salameh are skilled technicians, experienced trainers, passionate about martial arts, and excellent instructors.  These guys are always learning, practicing, and refining techniques so that they have more to offer their students. They travel the world to learn and learn to teach.  In fact, Rizzuto just returned from a 2-month trip to Thailand where he was trained by multiple  Muay Thai Champion and 2 x WBO Boxing Champ Kru Som Krom.  Rizzuto and Salameh really take to heart the idea that a system must constantly evolve to remain relevant and effective.  They don’t just teach it, they live it. 

 But, above all else, Rizzuto and Salameh are just really good guys.  They treat their students like family, welcome everyone, and make everyone feel comfortable.  Students never feel embarrassed, self-conscious, or like they don’t belong.  Indeed, Rizzuto and Salameh go out of their way to get to know their students outside of the gym and routinely socialize with their students outside of class time, like going for dinner or watching events/shows together.  Instead of just teaching people to fight Rizzuto and Salameh make personal connections to their students because it makes the training experience better in every way. 

  Indeed, students don’t come to 10^th Planet because they believe it’s the best system, they come to 10^th Planet because the instructors are friendly, passionate about martial arts, and want them to improve skills, fitness, friends, and fun.  As good as all this is, the best thing about 10^th Planet is that they make training fun.  Don’t think for a second that they don’t take their classes seriously.  They do.  But, they just happen to think that fun classes and a more informal atmosphere make for a better learning environment.  It’s pretty hard to argue with that.     

 Rizzuto and Salameh are adamant that 10^th Planet not be political with other gyms.  If they want the public to know anything about 10^th Planet Jiu-Jitsu, it is that  they are a grudge free gym that respects all martial artists, systems, and instructors; they take very seriously the idea that there is value in all martial arts and the simple act of training is worthy of respect.  Moreover, both Rizzuto and Salameh want to emphasize that 10^th Planet is not the place for big egos and preconceptions; training at 10^th Planet is holistic, open, and laid back, so if you’re not it probably isn’t the place for you. 

 10^th Planet is located at the Sports Central complex in Richmond.  The training is a large 5000 square foot space which includes a grappling room, a 24 foot boxing ring, a kick boxing area, and a Crossfit room.  The real advantage of their location, though, is that all 10^th Planet students get a free membership to Sport Central, which includes 24 hour facility access, a huge weight and cardio area, huge change rooms, lots of lockers and showers, and leading edge health and fitness equipment and technology. This means that 10^th Planet’s training space is effectively an unprecedented 30,000 square feet.  And, because 10^th Planet is so new their prices are some of the lowest in the city, making it an unbeatable value for the money. 

  At 10^th Planet you train but only because you want to learn, the environment is highly respectful but informal, and you work hard but have fun.  It really is hard to beat a place like this.  Although 10^th Planet has only been in Vancouver a short time, their impact will no doubt be long lasting and substantial.  We at f.i.l.e.s. wish 10^th Planet continued success.  For more information on 10^th Planet Jiu-Jitsu, please check out their website at: www.10thplanetvancouver.com

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