By: Dexter Umel, EBC Sports International, Florida Bureau
Martial arts, as many know, is often associated with self-defense. But beneath the veil of kicks and punches is a fabric woven with self-discipline intertwined with skill honed through hours of training. Professor Aparecido Ferreira, going by the name of Bill, is a Jiu-Jitsu instructor in Jacksonville, Florida. He runs his school on the fundamental principles of self-discipline and training, but also instills in his students the importance of having fun.
Bill has been training in Jiu-Jitsu for over 30 years. Jiu-Jitsu is a combat sport that prepares smaller fighters to defend against a larger adversary by using leverage and defensive techniques. Bill’s training began in 1987, when he was a teenager, at one of the legendary schools in Brazil: The Academia Monir de Jiu-Jitsu. The Academy is located in the Vila da Penha neighborhood in Rio De Janeiro. Monir Salomao, founder and instructor of the academy, is a legend in the world of Jiu-Jitsu, credited with training high-class black belts from around the world.
Having been to many schools since the start of his training, Bill noticed that some schools placed a heavy focus on a warrior-like atmosphere and minimized the role of discipline in the martial art. According to Bill, “discipline needs to be part of Jiu-Jitsu and what kind of environment do you want to manage and kind of people you want to manage?” Bill was disappointed with schools that allowed students to take their shirts off, not wear proper gear and practice poor hygiene. Bill decided to open his own academy and teach Jiu-Jitsu in a way that he felt was worthy of the art of Jiu-Jitsu.
As one sits in Bill’s class they will notice that Bill is punctual. Not one minute goes by before Bill walks up and down the line of students and checks for appropriately cut nails and proper gear. If a student is found lacking, Bill provides a nail cutter or proper protective clothing. Before class begins, he ensures that all his students are properly prepared for the day’s lesson.
If you are looking to learn disciplined Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in a family atmosphere from an instructor who cares about his pupils and about his art, look up Bill Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu Academy.
