Questions and answers

Age does not matter to us! We offer separate training sessions for children, of course, so that they can develop with their peers. At the same time, people of all ages train in our adult sessions. For example, our oldest member is 59 years old.

Martial arts training teaches concentration, self-discipline and self-esteem. Children who have internalised these lessons take them with them everywhere - even into the classroom.

Martial arts training teaches concentration, discipline, self-control and respect. These qualities help children to detach themselves from petty grievances and learn to pay attention to the things that are most important for their future success.

Yes, it can. Sometimes children do not do well in school because they lack the discipline and concetration to learn. In our school, they have to concentrate every lesson. They learn the importance of working towards goals and this can help them in other subjects as well.

If your child is hesitant, we will work with them to help them record a series of successes that will build confidence. Especially in the beginning, it's easy for students to make progress and see the fruits of their labour. Building on these successes can help even the most reluctant students to become enthusiastic about martial arts.

We teach young people the value of respect, discipline and judgement, and they learn that rash decisions are often not the right ones.

That may be so - but martial arts classes are fun and sociable, and kids think they're cool too. We are used to a bit of resistance, but we also know how to get and keep young people interested in what we teach.

Yes. In martial arts classes, the young people have to learn and then apply the lessons to decisions in real time in our martial arts school. This is a skill they will take with them wherever they go.

Young people who practise martial arts learn how to be strong and confident, and this makes them less likely to be attacked by bullies. They also learn how to defend themselves if necessary.

Teens who want to excel in martial arts must make a commitment to keep learning. We cannot guarantee that your teen will stick with it, but we can tell you that our instructors encourage perseverance and teach teens that they cannot achieve their goals if they give up.

Yes. Respect is a core value in our martial arts school and all students learn to respect their instructors, fellow students and their parents.

Basically, you can attend the sessions as long and as often as you like. Once you have been in training 60 times, you will have the second stripe on your white belt and you can then attend the Intermediate sessions, which will take you deeper into BJJ and prepare you for the Advanced sessions.

Your current fitness level is not the deciding factor in whether you should start or not. Rather, BJJ is a tool to improve your current condition. Especially in the beginning, you will quickly notice an improvement in endurance, strength, flexibility and general body awareness. So you don't have to "prepare" yourself to start with us, but see starting with us as the first step to improving your physical and mental constitution.

No, you don't have to. There are beginner courses, and many who learn BJJ have no previous martial arts training.

You don't have to. Our timetable is structured so that each class has its own session. This allows you to train with other students who have also recently started training. After a short time you will find that the learning curve is very steep at the beginning and you can progress very quickly.

Yes. Students work their way through five belt levels: white, blue, purple, brown and black. Each belt has four stripes to help students monitor their progress - and once you've earned a black belt, you can move on to new levels depending on how long you've studied BJJ.

In the beginning it is sufficient to train in normal sportswear. After a few units, it makes sense to get a gi for the units. We have special Alliance Team gis from various manufacturers for this purpose. This is useful so that nothing tears if you pull on it a little harder and at the same time it gives you a cool team look and a better sense of community, as with a football team, for example.

No! There is no sparring in our beginner sessions. Your safety is our top priority, because we want you to be part of our family for as long as possible. Of course, this is only possible if you are fit. That's why in the beginning you will learn basic techniques and improve your motor skills through cooperative drills with your partner so that you are confident enough in situations on the ground and in standing. In the intermediate sessions you will then be prepared for free sparring through positional sparring in a controlled setting. As a general rule, no one is obliged to participate in sparring, but you will probably find out soon enough that you will enjoy it too.

Absolutely. It is one of the most effective self-defence techniques in the world and is often preferred because it teaches students to use their body weight to defeat larger opponents.

You can, especially if you combine BJJ classes with a healthy diet and lifestyle. BJJ is a great full-body workout that burns calories, builds muscle and boosts metabolism.