DEFEND YOURSELF
BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is the single most effective martial art you can learn for self-defense. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art/combat sport/self-defense system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting. It teaches that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend themselves against a bigger, stronger opponent by using leverage and proper technique (mostly by applying joint-locks and chokeholds) BJJ is trained for a variety of reasons. Some train for self-defense, some for sport, MMA fighting, or just a fun way to get into shape. Sparring (or rolling) is a big part of training; this ensures that the techniques you learn are applicable in a real world situation.
MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS
Steve is a 3rd degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He has been grappling for close to 30 years. He wrestled in high school and college. During college, he took up Judo under Fred Murty in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
After graduating college, he found Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu while in law school in Boston, and was immediately hooked. He received his black belt from Jared Weiner in July of 2008. He is also a certified Girls on Guard instructor.
Paul is a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Steve Bowers. He is a former wrestler and trained in Krav Maga under Ernie Kirk. He is also a certified Girls on Guard and Play it Safe Defense instructor. Paul’s son also actively trains at Main Line United.
Kyle is a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Daniel Beleza. Kyle started his Jiu Jitsu training in 2005. He is a former wrestler and has had several amateur MMA fights and professional grappling matches. He is an active competitor for Main Line United BJJ/TAC Team BJJ.
Having begun training in 2013 mainly to keep up with his daughter, Sean McGrew is proof that you are never too old or awkward to start BJJ. With a day job in education, Sean is particularly interested in the teaching and learning process. A Brown Belt under Steve & Paul, Sean teaches our youngest students and rolls with the dawn patrol.
Michele is a Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Jeff Hunt. She is a certified Russian Kettlebell Instructor and a NASM – Certified Personal Trainer. She has competed in both amateur and professional grappling matches. Michele is a mom of two active boys and they are one of the reasons she decided to start training Jiu Jitsu.
Hector is a professional MMA fighter with 15+ years experience in American Kickboxing, Muay Thai & Savate. He has 30 years of boxing experience and trained at Grays Ferry Boxing Club under Art Washington and Roland Marshall.
Hector is also a Black Belt in Goshin Ryu JuJitsu Yudanshakai, a Red Glove in Savate and a Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Annie is a purple belt under Steve Bowers. She is a certified instructor in both Girls on Guard Self Defense for Women and Play It Safe Self Defense for children.