Humans are emotional; we can choose from angry, happy, sad, scared and frustrated. Our emotions are healthy responses to the stimuli that helped our ancestors survive the trials and tribulations of a harsher and ruthless environment. Emotions can still help us cope with unexpected danger, but they also make us wrong decisions. We must learn […]
Article originally by Brian Halstrom Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art and combat sport that has been around for centuries. It is based on grappling, ground fighting, and submission holds. BJJ is an effective self-defense system that can help you protect yourself in dangerous situations. It also provides a great workout and can help improve […]
I was a lifeguard on Lake Erie for seven years and witnessed many rescues. People of all walks of life needed to be saved not only because they didn’t know how to swim, but because they didn’t know how to control their fear. I remember numerous occasions where I had to save people in panic, […]
July 12, 2021 Lake Effect Martial Arts (LEMA) is proud to announce a new location in Hamburg, NY. After much research and planning, Lake Effect Martial Arts is bringing the beautiful art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to the South Towns. This new location will serve the Hamburg, Orchard Park and surrounding areas (North Collins, East […]
Hello Friends of Lake Effect Martial Arts! If you’re out and about this weekend, might we suggest a good podcast to listen to? Awhile back, Professor Michael Katilus was a guest on the BJJ Brotherhood Podcast with the well known Jiu Jitsu Practitioner, Author of The Black Belt Blue Print and Entrepreneur (founder of […]
As people grow older, they begin to find ways to be more productive and make use of their time. For senior citizens, in particular, they find that there is even more time they need to utilize and want to do so effectively. Many will go out and find other jobs while others will pursue hobbies […]
Every year, the American Heart Association celebrates Heart Month to raise awareness about heart disease and heart health. What you may not know is that martial arts are great for the heart. In fact, the cardiac benefits of martial arts give a whole new meaning to the idea of cardiovascular fitness. With that in mind, […]
Grade school can be quite the experience for any child. It is a place where a child not only learns academically but one where a child must learn to socialize and function in the world. Unfortunately, there are a lot of negative experiences that a child may have when going through school. Whatever those experiences […]
We appear to live in a self-esteem culture. Not just one where self-esteem and confidence comes with self betterment, but where they are outright expected and shame becomes the ultimate original sin. “Being yourself” becomes the ultimate virtue, but not in the way it should. Every human being should be loved, respected, valued, cared […]
One major reason I am drawn to BJJ over a multitude of other martial arts is realism. I am able to train on a regular basis with just about 100% intensity. I get real responses and real feedback to my inputs. It teaches us what works, what needs refinement, and what is downright not worth […]
When it comes to live training we have a few choices to make. How skilled of a partner do I want? How big? How strong? We have different lessons to learn from all of these people, and a variety of training partners will prove very useful in the long run. I like to categorize […]
Everyone at some point is a “competitive” person. Who thoroughly enjoys not connecting successes and highlighting repeated failures? The stages of grief (and loss) are: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. What in the world does that have to do with Jiu Jitsu?! The stages of loss are applied often in difficult sports. Oddly enough, […]