Jim's Story

In 1997 Jim was looking for a way to find relief from low back pain when he found his way into a yoga class in his hometown of Chicago. After that class he knew he had stumbled upon something that had the potential to be profoundly healing. As a former grade school, high school, and college wrestler in his mid-twenties, Jim had grown tired of feeling beaten up all of the time and knew it was time for a change. Yoga required the physical and mental discipline that he craved but without the negative effect of combat sports. He was instantly hooked.

Jim spent the next five years studying with every renowned teacher he could find and began teaching yoga in 2002. The following ten years were completely dedicated to yoga postures (from the most gentle and therapeutic to the most physically demanding), breathing techniques, and meditation, accumulating tens of thousands of hours of study, practice, and teaching. He began leading seminars, trainings, and retreats in cities across the U.S.

In 2012, at the age of 40, Jim felt something in his life was lacking. After a twenty year hiatus, he began to miss the art of grappling and the camaraderie that comes along with it. A friend directed him to one of the most respected Brazilian Jiu Jitsu dojos in the midwest, Brazil021, founded by BJJ legends Professor Andre Terencio and Hannette Staack. Since then, he has decided to divide his time equally between yoga and jiu jitsu and has been awarded his black belt. Jim strongly believes that his yoga practice not only gives him the mental clarity that defines yoga, but also keeps his body healthy, allowing him to spend many hours a week rolling with much younger jiu jitsu practitioners suffering less injuries than when he was in his twenties.

It is now Jim’s intention to share what he has learned over the last two decades and help others in the grappling arts to stay healthy so they can do what they love for many years to come. Whether you are a complete novice or a seasoned veteran, an intelligent application of postures, breathing, and meditation can help you live more fully on and off the mat.