American Jiu Jitsu is a scenario-based self-defense art, dealing with street situations. Our goal is to develop mind-body unification. Though this art focuses on teaching the most practical self defense techniques, its main goal is to help students realize that the best self-defense is the ability to defuse and walk away from an unnecessary confrontation.

Jiu Jitsu utilizes principles of physics and the knowledge of human anatomy to overcome an attacker with as little effort possible. Using leverage and balance to his or her advantage, the practitioner achieves maximum effect with minimum effort. In this way, the jiu jitsu practitioner has a large array of techniques available to him or her in order to deal with and control any situation.    Students who would like to login to view the American Jiu Jitsu Curriculum videos can do so by clicking here. Please note that belt paper topics are listed at the bottom of the page.

(Check out the American Jiu Jitsu Galleries by clicking here)

Staff

Sensei Jason McCarthy - Head Instructor - Sandan

Sensei Jason McCarthy is the founder and head instructor of New York Jiu Jitsu (American Jiu Jitsu Centers - Manhattan Dojo). He started his training directly under O'Sensei Joe Puleio in 1989, achieving the rank of Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt) in 1993, Nidan (2nd Degree) in 1997, and Sandan (3rd Degree) in 2002. Along with his jiu jitsu training, Sensei Jason has experience in fencing, judo, grappling, knife defense, and arnis de mano. In 1994, Sensei Jason founded an American Jiu-Jitsu school at MIT and was head instructor there for 3 years. Today, that school is one of the largest and most successful martial arts schools at MIT. His highest ranked students currently hold the rank of Sandan (3rd Degree Black Belt.)

Renshi Tony Avila - Instructor - Yodan

Renshi Tony Avila is one of the instructors at New York Jiu Jitsu (American Jiu Jitsu Centers - Manhattan Dojo). Sensei Tony began his training directly under Sensei Jason McCarthy in 1994. He achieved Instructor Certification in 1997. In 1998 he was promoted to the rank of Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt) by the Founder of American Jiu Jitsu Centers, O'Sensei Joe Puleio.  Following of a series of promotions, Renshi Tony was recently promoted to the a Masters Rank of Yodan (4th degree black belt).  Along with his jiu jitsu training, Sensei Tony has experience in hapkido, judo, grappling, knife defense, and arnis de mano.  Sensei Tony is CPR certified.

Sensei Felix Dashevsky- Instructor - Sandan

Sensei Felix Dashevsky began his jiu jitsu training at MIT under Sensei Jason McCarthy in 1995 and was part of the MIT dojo until 2002, serving as its head instructor from 2001 to 2002. Sensei Felix has also trained directly under O'Sensei Joe Puleio in 1999, as well as with various jiu jitsu and related martial arts instructors in the Boston area. He received his Shodan and instructor certification in 1999, Nidan in 2001, and Sandan in 2011. Sensei Felix also holds the rank of blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Sensei Aaron Milam. Although training with Sensei Jason at New York Jiu Jitsu's earlier locations during his frequent visits to New York since 1997, Sensei Felix made New York Jiu Jitsu his training home upon his return in 2002.

Sensei Glenn Genovas - Instructor - Nidan

Sensei Glenn Genovas started his American Jiu Jitsu training in 1982 in Long Island, NY. He achieved the rank of Shodan and instructor certification in 1986, and Nidan in December 2006. In addition to jiu jitsu, Sensei Glenn studied with instructors in various styles of martial arts. He is trained in grappling, arnis de mano, knife defense, and kick boxing.   Sensei Glenn has taught Public Safety officers in Pennsylvania in hand-to-hand techniques, organized demonstrations in Pennsylvania for the Boy Scouts and local schools, and participated in jiu jitsu demonstration teams on Long Island. In 1998, Sensei Glenn performed with the American Jiu Jitsu Demonstration Team at the Arnold Classic in Ohio, an international competition, where his team's first appearance earned them 4th place.   Sensei Glenn holds a Bachelors of Science in Athletic Training/Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Rehabilitation and is a licensed massage therapist. He also has his own private practice in Manhattan.   While studying Sports Medicine in Pennsylvania, Sensei Glenn headed his own school for five years, which he then passed on to another instructor and moved back to New York City. Sensei Glenn continued his teaching at the American Jiu Jitsu Fudoshin Dojo in Commack, New York and is now sharing his expert teaching ability with the students at New York Jiu Jitsu.

Sensei Francine Salamone - Instructor – Nidan (2nd degree black belt)

Sensei Francine began training in American Jiu Jitsu in 1988 directly under O'Sensei Joe Puleio. She became a certified instructor in 1990 and was a member of the Women's and Children's Demo teams under the late Renshi Frank Connors. In the summer of 2002, Sensei Francine joined New York Jiu Jitsu, the Manhattan Dojo of American Jiu Jitsu.  She achieved the rank of Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt) in May 2004, and Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt) in December 2009.  Sensei Francine is a seasoned martial artist and has experience in grappling, knife defense, and arnis de mano.  She also trained in Kodokan Judo for approximately 8 years and currently holds the rank of green belt.  Sensei Francine is currently training for her Sandan promotion (3rd degree black belt), teaches at NYJJ, and oversees our Women’s Programs including the Rape Prevention Seminars.

Sensei Andrew Frazer - Instructor - Nidan

Sensei Andrew started training in American Jiu-Jitsu under Sensei Tony Avila in 2000 at the MIT Dojo in Cambridge, MA. There he served as recruitment chairman, treasurer, and assistant instructor for the MIT club under Sensei David Dunmeyer. In 2005 he received his instructor certification and was promoted to the rank of Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt) by Sensei Jason McCarthy. While at New York Jiu Jitsu, Sensei Andrew has been regularly training directly with O'Sensei Joe Puleio since 2008, and in 2010 he was promoted to Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt). He teaches regular classes at New York Jiu Jitsu and enjoys studying and training in other forms of martial arts.

Sensei Mike Vander Putten - Shodan

Mike Vander Putten is one of the Senseis at New York Jiu Jitsu (Manhattan dojo). Sensei Mike began his training back in 1995 under Sensei Phil Theodorou, one of O'Sensei Joe Puleio's earliest black belts. In 1997, Mike became certified before going away to college at SUNY Oswego. While there, he had a chance to work with Sensei Joe McCarthy Jr.'s school. Mike promoted to Shodan (1st Degree Black  Belt) on Saturday, July 24th,  and is currently working on his 2nd degree black belt at the Manhattan dojo.

Sensei Gain Lu - Shodan

Sensei Gain Lu started training at New York Jiu Jitsu in July 2004 and earned her certification in June 2007. She is currently a Shodan, first degree black belt,  in the American Jiu Jitsu system of self-defense. She is a licensed dentist for NYS and Connecticut and is certified in adult and child CPR/AED/First Aid. In addition to teaching introductory courses and essentials, Sempai Gain also teaches monthly rape prevention seminars.

Sensei Ed Tall - Shodan

Sensei Ed starting training American Jiu Jitsu in 2003 at O'Sensei Joseph Puleio's hombu in St. James, NY. In 2004, he moved to Manhattan and continued training at Sensei Jason McCarthy's dojo at New York Jiu Jitsu. He earned his instructor certification in 2007, and the rank of Shodan, first degree black belt in the American Jiu Jitsu system of self-defense in 2011.  In addition to teaching regular classes, Sensei Ed has taught and assisted at a number of New York Jiu Jitsu's rape prevention seminars. He has also studied karate and tang soo do.

American Jiu Jitsu Belt Paper Topics:

Yellow Belt: Why do you take Jiu-Jitsu? Please be advised that the paper can be as short or long as you wish. (i.e. Why did you join, why do you train, how do you think the art has helped you so far, etc.)

Orange Belt: Interpret a portion of the Student Creed and explain its relevance to everyday life.

Green Belt: Read a book of your choice pertaining to martial arts, or the spirit of the martial arts, and describe its significance to you and your life. Some book ideas (The Art of War, Zen in the Martial Arts, The Book of Five Rings, etc.)

Red Belt: Explain the concept of "cone of strength". How does this relate to daily life?

Blue Belt: Why is jiu jitsu called the "gentle art"?

Purple Belt:  Explain the concepts of Kuzushi and "leading your attacker". How do they relate to daily life?

3rd Kyu Brown Belt: Describe how a weapon can change a self-defense situation. How can this be related to daily life?

2nd Kyu Brown Belt:  Explain the importance of Mushin and how you can use this concept in your Jiu Jitsu training and in daily life.

1st Kyu Brown Belt:  Explain the importance of blending and becoming one with your attacker. How does this carry over to daily life?