decorahnews.com feature: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes offered in downtown Decorah

Posted: Wed, Jan 23, 2019 10:02 AM

Mike Owens demonstrates techniques to his students Martin Iversen (on the floor) and Wes Anderson (standing)

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a martial art that focuses on chokes and joint manipulation on the ground. It can be divided into three categories: self-defense, free fighting, and sport grappling with and without the gi (gi is a garment, like a kimono) according to Decorah resident Mike Owens.

Owens' first experience with martial arts was in the late 90's in North Dakota when close friend and roommate, Nick Rowley, asked him to participate in a martial arts class Rowley regularly attended. Rowley eventually moved on to California and continued training and competing in MMA (Mixed Martial Arts). Owens moved to Colorado and began learning boxing. Years later he moved back to Iowa and had further MMA training in Des Moines.

Owens and Rowley have opened a gym to train others in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at 216 West Water Street in downtown Decorah.

"The techniques of martial arts is what first interested me. There is a way to strike and grapple. I did participate in MMA fights and BJJ tournaments, but didn't do all that great. After having kids my main focus has been training jiu jitsu and running ultra marathons. I recently moved to Decorah from Des Moines to do some work for my close friend Nicholas Rowley. We needed a place to train. We thought jiu jitsu was a great addition to the community and decided to open a gym," shared Owens.

"Mike is my best friend, we have known each other since elementary school age when I would visit my grandmother in Jefferson, Iowa. I remember Mike as a nerdy kid with thick coke bottle glasses and a bike with a banana seat. We became best friends, brothers over the years and attended high school together in Jefferson. We shared an apartment while I was in the military in North Dakota, and then shared a house in California while I was in law school, and now we both live in Decorah where we have kids and spend a lot of family time together. Mike was very upset when I was always able to beat him in our early training days, so as I became a trial lawyer, he trained and trained and is now one of the best MMA practitioners I have ever trained with (he beats me every time now, but not for long). We are so excited to bring this studio and training to Decorah," added co-owner Nick Rowley.

BJJ strategy is designed to help provide a physically smaller or weaker individual with an effective method of defending against a larger and stronger attacker. It was originally a part of Judo brought to Brazil by Mitsuyo Maeda in 1920's and further developed by Carlos Gracie, one of his students. Owens' class focuses on fundamentals that are ideal for beginners. How to stand with good balance, transitioning from different positions, improving coordination and posture are elements taught at the gym.

"Learning BJJ takes discipline. Techniques are drilled again and again and practiced in live situations over and over to near exhaustion. In the beginning, learning BJJ can be discouraging. But by showing up to class, listening, and practicing, eventually students begin to defend themselves in all types of situations. Ultimately we want to help others live a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise, eating healthy, surrounded by others that support us," says Owens.

Men and women of all ages attend classes for several reasons, including improving fitness and self confidence or a desire to learn something new. A typical class consists of a warm up, followed by drilling techniques and live sparring.

The space is being remodeled in order to create a clean and safe environment to practice martial arts. They've been painting walls, installing new light fixtures and equipment. Classes are offered on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Check out https://bjjdecorah.com/ to sign up for classes or more information.

Owens observes his students sparring

Classmates Wes Anderson and Martin Iversen live sparring

Anderson and Iversen practice techniques they've learned