We will be closed from Friday, December 24th through Sunday, January 2nd. We hope you enjoy the holiday season with family and friends, and wish you all a Merry Christmas, and a very prosperous New Year.
Holiday Schedule
Thanksgiving Schedule
Ready, Fire, Aim!
We find ourselves in unique circumstances. It appears we will be under the “remain in place” directive through April, and possibly even May, however, as martial artists, we won’t allow this to define us, but rather we will use it as an opportunity for growth. As the saying goes, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” In our case, we’re focused on developing a strong online curriculum; one that will help us all navigate these uncertain times and continue our pursuit of excellence in the art of Brazilian Jiujitsu.
This week we’re rolling out our Virtual Jiujitsu program.
We may not be able to replicate the training of a regular class, but we can help fill in the void when being on the mat isn’t an option. The program consists of three parts: video tutorials, online coursework (children’s programs), and live video conferences.
- The primary component is a series of online videos you can access at your convenience. They will cover topics such as fundamental movements, basic techniques, strategy, and conditioning. The material presented will take into account such impediments as the absence of proper equipment (mats), partners, and/or space. This one was made with the children’s programs in mind, but the workout at the end could benefit everybody.
- We’ve also put together some learning materials for both the Little Samurai and Junior Jujiteiros on Google Classroom. There will be a variety of age-appropriate activities that cover topics like martial art history, Jiujitsu terminology, as well as our Five-Pillars of Success™ Life Skills Program.
- Additionally, we’re looking to set up some live interactions on Zoom, a video-conferencing platform you may be familiar with. We’re still working out the details for the adult classes. The Children’s programs are going to start with one live workout a week in conjunction with the videos, and also have the opportunity to “Meet by the Water Cooler.” This will be a chance for them to simply socialize with their peers; we thought it would be a fun, beneficial outlet since we’re all isolated at home. It will be a guided format, with each week being a different set topic, for example, “introduce us to your pet,” or “tell us about your favorite sport?”
Finally, a number of families have reached out to us asking for their accounts to remain active through-out this closure and we’re eternally grateful for such graciousness during this time of uncertainty. This program is for you! All of our active members will have access to this program. We will send you the information to access the online videos and Google Classroom, and keep you apprised of upcoming live events.
We greatly appreciate everyone’s patience and continued support as we work through this transition. Stay healthy, stay safe, and stay tuned!
Virtual Jiujitsu
With an indefinite end-date on the Placer County directive to “stay in place,” we find ourselves in a quandry. We want to get together with our teammates, learn some new moves, and roll, but in the name of public safety, we are stuck at home honoring our civic duty for an unknown period of time.
“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”
-Anon
The bottom line is, we can’t replicate the efficacy of direct instruction, nor the feedback of drilling with a partner, nor the intensity of rolling. However, we can keep our mind “in the game,” work on our fundamental movement, and maintain our fitness.
We’re taking this opportunity to put together a video library to help everyone continue their pursuit of excellence in BJJ. Whether you’re a student looking for some more drills, or a parent in need of something for their child to do, these short videos will provide you with the next best thing to an actual class: Virtual Jiujitsu!
Stay tuned….
Covid-19 School Closure
Dear WFJJ Family and Friends,
It is with a heavy heart that I announce the temporary closure of Werneck Family Jiujitsu in Roseville. In response to the current status of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), we will be closed from Monday, March 16th through Tuesday, March 31st.
We have spent many hours over the past few weeks discussing the best course of action to take for the well-being of our families, members, friends, and the community at large. We have stayed up-to-date on the World Health Organization (WHO) and Center For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, as well as those from Placer county and the local school district.
Just as other organizations like Disneyland, the National Basketball Association, and the University of California are taking the recommended precautions, our local school district and all schools in Placer county have taken the step of closing through mid-April. We believe it is our civic responsibility to follow the same proactive course of action. If we can slow the Coronavirus’ spread through such “social distancing,” it greatly increases the odds our medical establishment will be able to adequately care for those who fall seriously ill.
We do not take this decision lightly. Cassio and I are passionate about providing the highest level of instruction and service, and personally dread the idea of not being on the mat with all of our friends and students. Naturally, we are apprehensive about the economic impact these policies will have, but most importantly we are concerned about the well-being of our community. We hope our actions help facilitate a quick return to normalcy for all the residents of California.
As things unfold here in Roseville, we will stay up-to-date with developments, and assess future actions as needed. We will keep you updated. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email us at administration@werneckfamilyjiujitsu.com, or call me at (916) 768-7461.
Stay healthy and happy.
Força E Honra,
Cassio Werneck and Darren Figgins
COVID-19
We know that these are unsettling times and we want to assure you that Werneck Family Jiujitsu is committed to the health and well-being of our community. We have been very closely monitoring the evolving situation with the Corona virus (COVID-19) and are following the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the California Department of Public Health to ensure the safety of our students, teachers, and staff.
Given the nature of our sport, we have always done all we can to make our studio as safe & hygienic as possible. We clean and disinfect the mat (and restroom) daily and will continue to do so. In response to the current state of affairs, we have increased our regular disinfecting of all high traffic surfaces (i.e. benches, water cooler, doors, shelves, and flooring) from biweekly to daily. Alcohol-based sanitizer is available at the front desk.
We would like to reiterate some of our related school policies:
- Don’t train while sick. If you or your child isn’t feeling well, stay home until fully recovered.
- Maintain good hygiene. We would remind our students that regularly washing one’s hands & face with warm water and soap (at least 20 seconds) before and after class should be common practice.
- Clean your uniform and gear after EVERY use. This isn’t just about b.o. – a dirty uniform can be very unhealthy for both you and your teammates.
At this time we are maintaining our regular schedule. We are monitoring state and federal recommendations daily, as well as the Roseville City School District policies, and will make adjustments should new developments and recommendations arise. We will notify all students via email should circumstances change.
Let’s all work together to do all we can to ensure everyone’s safety and health while in the studio.
image: courtesy of University of Tampa website.
Holiday Schedule
We wish you and yours Happy Holidays! We will have a limited schedule at our Roseville location during the Holiday season. For any adult members who just can’t wait until the 29th, we will have some “open mat” style workouts at the following times:
- Thursday (12/21) @ 6:30 – 7:45
- Friday (12/22) @ 6:00 – 7:15
- Tuesday (12/26) @ 6:30 – 7:45
- Wednesday (12/27) @ 6:00 – 7:15
If you need to get a little more mat time, you are welcome to attend classes at the Sacramento location. (4837 Auburn Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95841) Here’s a link to their schedule. They will be closed 12/24 – 12/25 and 12/31 – 1/1 for regular classes, but will hold an open mat from 10:00-12:00 on 12/24 and 12/31.
Leading By Example
Professor Cassio stepped into the ring yet again this past Friday, putting his skills on display for the world to see. Just as with his previous match in Chicago, he submitted his opponent with the same techniques he’d been teaching the week before! If that isn’t impressive enough, he proceeded to board a plane the very next day with his wife and four children and survived three days of cancelled flights, and lay-overs, to finally arrive in Brazil for the holidays. Anybody who’s ever flown with children understands the magnitude of this herculean task.
Cassio Werneck is a leader, not a boss. He doesn’t lead by telling people what to do, or what they should do. He shows them what is possible, and he shows them a way. His is the jiujitsu lifestyle, and he leads by example. He leads when he teaches, when he trains, and when competing. He leads as a friend, and he leads as a family man.
We would all benefit from following his lead.
See you on the mats!
Giving Thanks
It has been a whirlwind the past six months since Cassio and I started this adventure, and now we find ourselves already wrapping up November, with the holiday season swinging into full-gear. The pieces are falling into place, classes are rocking, and everybody has been “putting in the mat time,” helping to create the energy, the vibe, of an amazing jiu-jitsu school.
This Thanksgiving we are indeed counting our “blessings.” We are eternally thankful for the opportunity to do what we love, to surround ourselves with hard-working, like-minded people, and thereby provide for our families. The magnitude of this does not go unnoticed, nor unappreciated. What an amazing time and place we live in, where people can achieve such a feat!
Of course, this wouldn’t be possible without all of you, the members of our community. We thank you all for your continued support as we strive on into the future, and provide the “BJJ lifestyle” to the families of the Sacramento area. We hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving weekend with family and friends, and look forward to seeing you back on the mats!