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OUR BRAZILIAN JIUJITSU PROGRAM







Welcome to
DAYTON BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU
The Dayton Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art program that focuses on ground fighting, self-protection, and applying takedowns, throws, joint locks, chokeholds, and sweeps to defeat one’s opponent. Developed in Brazil, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu traces its roots to the Japanese martial art of judo and traditional jiu-jitsu and has evolved to become its martial art, sport, and way of life.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a tried and true martial art, and proven method of self-defense – so reliable that members of the Army, Navy Seals, FBI, and local law enforcement all train in Jiu-Jitsu. Students at Guardian begin by learning the most reliable techniques BJJ has to offer. Unlike traditional martial arts, there are no katas, or forms, to memorize, but like all martial arts disciplines, BJJ teaches discipline and respect. Our Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes are for all levels of experience. Although a background in martial arts can be beneficial, no previous experience is necessary.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes available include:
- Fundamentals of Jiu-Jitsu
- Competition Jiu-Jitsu Training
- Jiu-Jitsu (Self Defense)
JIU-JITSU ALL BELTS
This class is open to all adult/jr students (13 and over) studying Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Students will learn a range of fundamental to advanced BJJ training techniques. The deliberate mixing of belts allows beginner students to gain hands-on fundamentals training with the advanced students and, in turn, the advanced students gain suitable training partners to polish their fundamentals and test new, advanced techniques.
The core of our Jiu-jitsu classes are: Classes integrate some of our “seasoned” novice students. Some are partner with our most patience gifted and experienced BJJ practitioners. These will allow a wide range of skills which we utilize to help build confidence in each students. Mixing partners also allow to sharpen the skills of our more advance practitioners. Full sparring is encourage but not required.
The structure of the class consists around a warm-up and conditioning, lessons in technique, partner training application, and sparring to practice their overall jiu-jitsu techniques.
SUBMISSION GRAPPLING (NO-GI)
Submission Grappling is a general term used to describe aspects of martial arts or combat sports that focus on clinch and ground fighting with the aim of obtaining a submission. It brings together techniques from Freestyle Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Folk American Wrestling (catch-as-catch-can), Sambo, and Judo. The Submission Grappling class is a great way to learn self-defense, and a fun way to keep in shape. No previous martial arts experience is necessary.
KID’S JIU-JITSU PROGRAM
Gain immeasurable benefits that will help your child in many areas of their life developing their life skills through our Dayton Kid’s Jiu-jitsu training. We offer a unique kid’s jiu-jitsu program for children ages 6 to 12 to develop their skills to defend themselves. Jiu-jitsu is great for self-defense but also have been a proven method of self-protection.
Kid’s Jiu-jitsu challenges the kids to develop and utilize both their minds and their bodies building dexterity and building motor skills. Your children will learn Jiu-jitsu fundamentals and its concepts with detail to help prepare them for self-defense, and when it is time to join the JR and adult Jiu-Jitsu class.
Jiu-jitsu is more than just self-defense but brings balance into the mind, body, and spirit that will help your child develop self-esteem. Our society is moving at such a fast pace that stress, anxiety, and peer pressure are all around us. Even adults need to learn how to relax and children need to develop their ability to develop self-control, discipline, focus, and concentrate\ion.
Kid’s Brazilian jiu-jitsu training gives them the confidence they needed in our changing environment. Kids love it and help blow off their steam through structured martial arts training. It is based on individual progression will help find their confidence that will grow as they strive and learn new skills/techniques. Great fundamentals in lesson training are emphasized in the application with a partner and sparring to practice their overall Jiu-jitsu techniques.
MUAY THAI KICKBOXING (FOR ADULTS/JR & CHILDREN)
Muay Thai is known as Thai Boxing with eight limbs coming from Thailand. Muay Thai is a discipline that is a stand-up striking that combines various effective striking techniques of elbows, knees, kicking, and boxing along with many various clinching techniques. This Muay Thai kickboxing class will build your self-confidence, whether your main goal is to get in shape, learn self-protection, or prepare for the ring competition. Keep in mind that students are NOT required to compete. No previous martial arts experience is necessary to join our Muay Thai program or any other martial arts discipline we offer.
Get guidance from a true certified Muay Thai trainer for the last 40 years and the support from all of the coaching Team Tama. We have both traditional Thai boxing (Muay Boran and Danugan) and modern Muay Thai. Ajarn Manuel Taningco, certified by the United World Muay Thai Federation and selected into “ABC (Association of Boxing Commissions) Chairman’s Advisory Committee Expert” by Bernie Profato (Ohio Athletic Commission) since 2011. Ajarn Manuel Taningco also wrote the rules and regulations for Muay Thai Ohio. The promoter of both Midwest Muay Thai Championship and US National Muay Thai Belt Championship. Taningco has trained many fighters over the years that went undefeated under his tutelage and gone into the professional arena, the likes of Neal Rowe, Christian Toleque, Toby Grear, and Joe Schilling.
In our Muay Thai program, you are NOT required to compete. Our focus is developing your sense of self-esteem, developing self-discipline, mental and physical fitness, and being able to have that confidence knowing you can truly defend yourself. We guide students slowly even in our sparring sessions to increase their confidence and get rid of their fears.
Muay Thai fundamentals are very important with detailed explanations on each technique. We inspire and motivate students with proper guidance every day of training. We help our students reach their goals.
Kids Muay Thai classes are separate from the Adult/Jr. Muay Thai classes.
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a great way for people to exercise and improve their strength. You will see an increase in strength after just a few classes. MMA targets the whole body so your overall strength will be increased.
MIXED MARTIAL ARTS (MMA) PROGRAM
Our MMA classes will teach the fundamentals of MMA and combine techniques. For beginners, we will teach you the basics of wrestling, submissions and striking. Our world-class trainers can help you get better and even train you to be a professional fighter.
It is easy to see the positive effects that MMA training has on the body by looking at modern MMA fighters. You’ll notice an increase in self-confidence as you are more confident in fighting in all combat styles. Additionally, you will feel more capable of reaching your goals through the classes and our integrated grading system. Our students also improve their flexibility, endurance, and balance.
To master MMA you need to be proficient in all components, including Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as well as boxing, wrestling, sports performance training, and boxing. You can be part of our MMA Fight Team if you have the ability.
We take MMA seriously at our gym. Our fight team is more than a family. It functions like a well-oiled machine that turns amateurs into pros, and takes pros to the top.

OUR ROOTS – ABOUT US
Our roots is traced back from Jigoro Kano founder of Judo and Henry Okazaki founder of Danzan Ryu Jujitsu. Timothy Gasper and the lineage of the Gracie Jiujitsu – Carlson Gracie, Rickson Gracie, Luis Palhares and Shawn Hammonds.
Sensei Manuel Taningco studied Kodenkan Judo and Jujitsu from Grandmaster Tim Gasper, and studied from Professor Ramon Ancho (a student of founder Henry Okazaki who founded Danzan Ryu Jujitsu in Hawaii). Taningco also studied from Professor Luis Palhares then eventually with Sensei Shawn Hammonds. Taningco is an 8th Dan Black Belt in Kempo Jujitsu, 1st Dan Black Belt in Danzan Ryu Jujitsu from Professor Ancho, Purple belt from Luis Palhares.
Sensei Luis Palhares lineage is from Rolls Gracie, Rickson Gracie, with Grandmaster Helio Gracie. Sensei Luis Palhares is currently 8th Dan in Brazilian Jiujitsu from Grandmaster Carlos Robson Gracie.
GRACIE JIU-JITSU
The History of this Unique Brazilian Martial Art
Gracie Jiu Jitsu can be traced back to the teacher of the Gracie family, Mitsyo Maeda. The Gracie family met Maeda when he settled in Brazil and built an academy to teach Jiu Jitsu. Carlos Gracie became one of Maeda’s students and after several years of studying, he created his own school in 1925.
Carlos taught his younger brothers with teachings of Maeda, however, his youngest brother Helio Gracie had physically weak body and got easily sick. Due to doctor’s advice, Helio got only to watch his brothers performed the martial art.
Helio cannot perform all the techniques of his brother, Carlos, due to his frail body. Hence, he customized the techniques so he can execute them properly. His style focused on timing and leverage rather than speed and strength of Jiu Jitsu. After several trials and errors, Helio Gracie created Gracie/Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Helio challenged world champions and martial artists. He defeated all the fighters except one. He was the strongest Jiu Jitsu fighter of Japan and a world champion, Masahiko Kimura. Kimura is 80 pounds heavier than Helio. Kimura won the match but was interested with the martial art used by Helio. So, he invited Helio to teach his martial art to Japan.
Additionally, Helio’s brothers also challenged world champions, athletes and martial artists on their academy for tournaments. Through these numerous fights, the Gracies developed and modified the techniques and styles Maeda taught.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu were recognized worldwide when Royce Gracie won several fights in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) tournaments, this is an event for fighters and martial artists from different disciplines and they wrestle against each other. Royce’s brother, Rickson, also became undefeated in Japan as well as other Gracie family members became successful in MMA and other events.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is different to the original Jiu Jitsu in several ways. Judo was created as self-defense and for self-development. The techniques of Judo can be used in real life situations but today, the techniques are focused for competition.
The countless fights of Gracies led to the importance of fighting techniques and creation of rules of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournament. This martial art consists of three categories – “vale tudo” or free fighting competition, grappling with and without gi and self defense.
Gracie Jiu Jitsu is created for physically weaker or smaller individual with a strategy to protect himself from stronger and larger opponent. When you use BJJ strategies, leverage is important as it is the secret to efficiently use and apply force. It also has fighting methods while lying flat on his back, a position weaker ones find themselves in a fight. The grandmasters, Carlos and Helio, of BJJ continue to modify and refine this martial art.
The Gracie family was recognized as one of the influential families in the world of martial arts. The family’s determination, discipline and courage became an inspiration to many martial artists today.
“Helio Garcie was very popular as having a frail body did not stop him from creating one of the most well- known martial art today” – Gracie Jiu Jitsu.
DAYTON JIU-JITSU
The TAMA Dayton Jiujitsu has been active for over 40 years. Sensei Taningco was influenced by the training of his brother Alex Taningco and later, Grandmaster Timothy Gasper, who was stationed at Alamogordo, New Mexico Holloman Air Force Base. There at Alamogordo, where Taningco came to be a student of Gasper since 1972, had studied Judo and the traditional kempo jiu-jitsu. Taningco studied from the late Professor Ramon Ancho from 1979 to 1986. Taningco had also studied from Gracie Jiu-jitsu instructor, Sensei Luiz Palhares, as well as currently with Sensei Shawn Hammonds, an accomplished world champion in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.
Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is a grappling art that was promoted by the fabulous Gracie family right here in the USA and around the world. This specific Jiu-jitsu concentrates on dominating a challenger by utilizing and taking advantage of, angles, as well as outstanding body placing to apply a specific completing hold or entering into striking. This jiujitsu design has permitted many tiny people to get over much bigger challenger.
This Jiu-jitsu art is superb for ladies as well who can be taken to the ground when being an attack or assaulted. We have the kid’s jiujitsu program and adults/jr. jiu-jitsu, and it is a practical self-defense fighting style that will get you in shape.
OUR JIUJITSU INSTRUCTORS

J. R. THOMAS
J.R. THOMAS – BLACK BELT BJJ INSTRUCTOR
JR Reynolds has been training continuously for the last 14 years at Tama specifically for the martial art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His humbling approach to helping each students grow has been a tremendous success.
His off the mat success and on the mat has been a complete transformation in JR’s life. He knows how to use the blueprint to success on the mat as well as off the mat. His leadership skills and technical skills in teaching the BJJ class has only great results in both in his competition performance and as well as his students and colleagues. His thoughtful care for each students is contagious and others follow to help new student getting use to the BJJ training.

Manuel Taningco
MANUEL TANINGCO – TAMA FOUNDER SINCE 1976
Manuel Taningco, purple belt in Gracie Brazilian Jiujitsu from Professor Luis Palhares, 8th Degree Black Belt in traditional Kempo Jiujitsu from Grandmaster Tim Gasper and Black Belt in Danzan Ryu Jujitsu from Professor Ramon Ancho.
His 58 years of cumulative studies in the martial arts lead him to many years of both teaching (45 years in Dayton, Ohio), and competitions. He has produced many national and international champions in muay thai, jiujitsu and mma competitions. Taningco was one of many sparring partner of Alan Schroeder (a 5x Golden Glove Champion-Dayton).
MARTIAL ARTS TRAINING:
THE BENEFITS
SELF DEFENSE: Your child will learn real-world self-defense techniques that will help them to defend themselves in dangerous situations. Brazilian jiu-jitsu’s focus is to teach students who are smaller and weaker to defend themselves against a larger, stronger assailant. While we teach students that the first choice is to avoid conflict altogether, we will prepare them with the skills required to protect themselves in situations that cannot be avoided.ANTI-BULLYING MARTIAL ARTS PROGRAM (ABMAP): This Anti-bullying Martial arts Program at Tama Dayton BJJ and other kids martial arts programs within the community of Tama martial arts center, creates solutions for those kids who are being bullied by other kids. Building confidence in your child can stop bullying. By reinforcing, discipline can prevent bullying. By increasing respect can stop bullying. By developing, self-control can prevent bullying. By helping the kids develop leadership skills can stop bullying. By helping kids alleviate stress and teach them to understand stress, it can prevent bullying. By learning, self-defense can stop bullying. By just enrolling your child in a good martial arts program can and will help your child prevent being bullied and also prevent from bullying any other kids. Teaching your child inner self-respect can prevent bullying others as well.SELF CONFIDENCE: Being able to understand yourself better with the assessment of yourself to grow through martial arts training. Being able to instill confidence and bring out the best in each student through martial arts training. The best gift you can give to yourself or your child is confidence. Leadership – Children and Adults are given a chance and a challenge to lead others through martial arts training to foster their inner confidence about themselves. This is an excellent way to build leaders and given a philosophical belief that each student can do it. The instructors lead each student in their journey for personal growth.SELF DISCIPLINE: They are taught to channel their abundance of energy constructively through our structured curriculums. The results of learning, and knowing and following the structured lesson plans create a blueprint to success and self-discipline. Positive reinforcements create motivations for self-discipline behavior.SELF-CONTROL: Most everyone including adults and children has an impulsive attitude regarding attitude. By being self-aware through training in the martial arts, one understands more about self-control behavior. Kids that are hot-headed and dominant becomes more aware of their surroundings, their thought, and their emotions. Teaching kids to control negative actions will lead to better self-control child.LISTENING: Developing listening skills is of important value in mentoring children. This will help their life skills as better listeners and able to take instructions easily with better understanding. It is vital to the success of martial arts training – children and adults are trained to listen for the commands, follow instructions and react quickly to them. This ability will then influence other aspects of their life both in schools and at work.RESPECT: With good psychological habits bring positive reinforcements.
The start of the traditional martial arts bow, signify explanation without words -what is respect. This particular mental conditioning of understanding respect will lead children to better behavior attitudes.
More respect to parents, teachers, elders, friends, and to themselves.BREATHING: Breathing and warm-up exercises are an important part of martial arts training as the body needs to relax, focus, breathe and concentrate on the task at hand. It helps relieves stress. It helps control emotions through proper breathing techniques.LEADERSHIP: Teaching these particular skills, mentoring the kids in leadership will lead to greater confidence in themselves. it is also one of the life skills that they needed to survive in our ever-growing society.
SELF CONFIDENCE: Being able to understand yourself better with the assessment of yourself to grow through martial arts training. Being able to instill confidence and bring out the best in each student through martial arts training. The best gift you can give to yourself or your child is confidence. Leadership – Children and Adults are given a chance and a challenge to lead others through martial arts training to foster their inner confidence about themselves. This is an excellent way to build leaders and given a philosophical belief that each student can do it. The instructors lead each student in their journey for personal growth.SELF DISCIPLINE: They are taught to channel their abundance of energy constructively through our structured curriculums. The results of learning, and knowing and following the structured lesson plans create a blueprint to success and self-discipline. Positive reinforcements create motivations for self-discipline behavior.SELF-CONTROL: Most everyone including adults and children has an impulsive attitude regarding attitude. By being self-aware through training in the martial arts, one understands more about self-control behavior. Kids that are hot-headed and dominant becomes more aware of their surroundings, their thought, and their emotions. Teaching kids to control negative actions will lead to better self-control child.LISTENING: Developing listening skills is of important value in mentoring children. This will help their life skills as better listeners and able to take instructions easily with better understanding. It is vital to the success of martial arts training – children and adults are trained to listen for the commands, follow instructions and react quickly to them. This ability will then influence other aspects of their life both in schools and at work.RESPECT: With good psychological habits bring positive reinforcements.
The start of the traditional martial arts bow, signify explanation without words -what is respect. This particular mental conditioning of understanding respect will lead children to better behavior attitudes.
More respect to parents, teachers, elders, friends, and to themselves.BREATHING: Breathing and warm-up exercises are an important part of martial arts training as the body needs to relax, focus, breathe and concentrate on the task at hand. It helps relieves stress. It helps control emotions through proper breathing techniques.LEADERSHIP: Teaching these particular skills, mentoring the kids in leadership will lead to greater confidence in themselves. it is also one of the life skills that they needed to survive in our ever-growing society.
SELF-CONTROL: Most everyone including adults and children has an impulsive attitude regarding attitude. By being self-aware through training in the martial arts, one understands more about self-control behavior. Kids that are hot-headed and dominant becomes more aware of their surroundings, their thought, and their emotions. Teaching kids to control negative actions will lead to better self-control child.LISTENING: Developing listening skills is of important value in mentoring children. This will help their life skills as better listeners and able to take instructions easily with better understanding. It is vital to the success of martial arts training – children and adults are trained to listen for the commands, follow instructions and react quickly to them. This ability will then influence other aspects of their life both in schools and at work.RESPECT: With good psychological habits bring positive reinforcements.
The start of the traditional martial arts bow, signify explanation without words -what is respect. This particular mental conditioning of understanding respect will lead children to better behavior attitudes.
More respect to parents, teachers, elders, friends, and to themselves.BREATHING: Breathing and warm-up exercises are an important part of martial arts training as the body needs to relax, focus, breathe and concentrate on the task at hand. It helps relieves stress. It helps control emotions through proper breathing techniques.LEADERSHIP: Teaching these particular skills, mentoring the kids in leadership will lead to greater confidence in themselves. it is also one of the life skills that they needed to survive in our ever-growing society.
RESPECT: With good psychological habits bring positive reinforcements.
The start of the traditional martial arts bow, signify explanation without words -what is respect. This particular mental conditioning of understanding respect will lead children to better behavior attitudes.
More respect to parents, teachers, elders, friends, and to themselves.BREATHING: Breathing and warm-up exercises are an important part of martial arts training as the body needs to relax, focus, breathe and concentrate on the task at hand. It helps relieves stress. It helps control emotions through proper breathing techniques.LEADERSHIP: Teaching these particular skills, mentoring the kids in leadership will lead to greater confidence in themselves. it is also one of the life skills that they needed to survive in our ever-growing society.
LEADERSHIP: Teaching these particular skills, mentoring the kids in leadership will lead to greater confidence in themselves. it is also one of the life skills that they needed to survive in our ever-growing society.
TESTIMONIALS












OUR BLOG
KODENKAN-DANZAN RYU JIU-JITSU
It is appropriate that works describing Kodenkan, Danzan Ryu Jujitsu should be concerned with a man who demonstrated most of the qualities and experiences of the archetypal martial artist – the warrior,
Seishiro Okazaki was such a man. The warrior spirit was present in all aspects of his life.
The Master, H. Seishiro Okazaki, it is said, first recognized that the virtue of Jujitsu lay in the martial artist’s ability to reverse the effects of injury with restoration therapy. His students described him as stern, sober, silent, sort of business-like. He was a man who used the dojo as a catalyst; transforming his basically placid Japanese-American character into a charismatic and often powerful martial artist.
It was these qualities that enabled him to establish the framework for today’s most widely taught selfdefense system, Kodenkan, Danzan Ryu Jujitsu.
He was born in Japan on January 28, 1890. His appetite for learning and teaching bloomed early in life. As a young man he toured much of the Far East studying martial arts of every variety. Over a period of time, he assembled and adapted arts finally fusing Judo and Jujitsu into a complete system; and culminating in a system known as Kodenkan (School of the Ancient Tradition). It was here that his system of learning took the form of lists.
His accomplishments were not limited to Kodenkan. He authored several texts dealing with Judo and Jujitsu to include: The Science of Self-Defense for Girls and Women; and Unarmed Defense for the American Solider. He established the Nikko Sanatorium of Restoration Massage and is credited with treating celebrities such as Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Seishiro Okazaki – founder of Kodenkan, Danzan Ryu Jujitsu. He mastered the Yoshin, Igawa, Kosogabe, Shibukawa-Ryu, Yoshin-Ryu, Namba-Shoshin-Ryu, Kodokan Judo, Okinawan Karate, Chinese Kung Fu, Hawaiian Lau, Filipino Knife Play (Kali/FMA) and American Boxing.
One of the most striking features of his life is its similarity to other revered martial artists. His life, in retrospect, produces an extraordinary sensation of inevitability; the impression that from the very beginning he was directed by the outside forces to share his knowledge, generosity and goodwill.
There is something wonderful and indefinable about the Okazaki legacy that enables it to penetrate the soul many years after his passing; and allows students to live a similar spirit of humility, responsibility and sharing.
Yawara – Shinin No Maki – Tessen No Maki Nage Te – Shinyo No Maki – Tanto No Maki Shime Te – Shin Gin No Maki – Bo No Maki Oku No Te – Kiai No Maki – Tanju No Maki.
KODENKAN
Haven for Martial Arts Educators and Students
There are certain words that require translation into language we know by heart – English. However, there are a few words that are not translated as they are important to some people. One is Kondenkan. For many, Kondenkan means “School of Ancient Tradition”.
Many martial arts educator built their own Kondenkan to spread yet another form of martial art to many practitioners. One is the famous Dr. Kano who created a Kondenkan to teach Judo. Mitsuyo Maeda also created his own to educate many students in Brazil that eventually led to the creation of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu..
The Ancient Tradition mentioned is defined as the martial arts developed centuries ago. Martial art is composed of many techniques that the practitioner executes to protect himself from opponent or another form of exercise.
This art must be systematic which means everything must work together to fully accomplish the goal. Posture, breathing, body movement, concentration and coordination must be used simultaneously. It is not a martial art if all these factors are not joined harmoniously in order to execute a technique perfectly.
Some people interchange the term technique with art. Technique is basics of a performance and it must be infused with the practitioner’s spirit to be considered an Art. Remember if there is no technique, there is no art. Also mastery of the technique is not an Art. It is accepted as Martial Art if the technique is fully and wholeheartedly infused with the spirit of the practitioner.