By RHEA-FRANCES TETLEY
Staff writer
As part of the one-year anniversary celebration of the Lake Arrowhead Jiu-Jitsu studio, the Lake Arrowhead Communities Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the studio’s new location in Cedar Glen.
That historic building formerly housed the Sportsman Restaurant. It was a favorite gathering place in the 1960s 70s and 80s for the decision-making people of Lake Arrowhead and is now the center for locals to learn the self-defensive art of jui-jitsu. The entry into the studio is from the parking lot on the back side of the building, into the former bar area.
Some of the grappling holds.
Jiu-jitsu is a grappling martial art that focuses on takedowns, throws and submissions using leverage and technique to gain dominance over a larger or stronger opponent. Because of that, learning these techniques makes it effective for self-defense. So, despite a difference in age, size, gender or physical limitation, any person using the techniques of jiu-jitsu can benefit from its use, if facing a confrontation.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) is the form of jiu-jitsu that owner Joey Hauss is trained in, earning his black belt from the respected Jean Jacques Machado. BJJ is a mostly ground-based martial art, using leverage; with knowledge of the human body, one trained in jiu-jitsu can achieve a non-violent submission of one’s opponent. Mental focus is an important element of BJJ.
There are two black belt instructors at the jiu-jitsu studio, which is known for its emphasis on ground-based fighting and training. In the studio, they already have 120 students from 2 years of age through over 70. Their submission-grappling techniques can help persons of all ages have confidence they can face any situation that may arise. They host over 30 classes a week for various age groups from 6 a.m. to evening, Mondays through Saturdays. Private lessons are also offered by Hauss for honing skills.
At the ribbon cutting – attended by several members of the chamber’s board of directors, including President Dr. Ken Witte and Interim Executive Director Lori Butler – Hauss explained how they moved to the mountains over a year ago, with no intentions of opening a jiu-jitsu studio. However, after attending Sandals Church and meeting the good people there, he was encouraged as they offered the location for a studio. Since then, he said, everything has fallen into place, leading to its growth and to the success the studio has already achieved with its new location where they do not need to share space.
Inside the Lake Arrowhead Jiu-Jitsu studio.
Robin Bull, representing County Supervisor Dawn Rowe’s office, spoke a few encouraging words about growing and succeeding as a small business in today’s world and recognizing the effort it takes to open and keep a business going.
After the ribbon was cut, most of the students went back to practicing on the mats, while others enjoyed the food from the taco truck outside in the parking lot. The studio also offers training with the kettle bell weights, as well as a sauna and ice bath, which leaves students feeling regenerated as it helps circulation and boosts the immune system. Breathwork is also an important element of training.
The studio is set up with mats for the grappling and a side area for family to sit and watch. The sauna and ice bath and kettle ball weights are in another room. This is a family atmosphere, where younger brothers and sisters are welcome to watch and learn the techniques of safe and powerful submission- grappling.
The studio is located 18949 Hook Creek Road in Cedar Glen. Their website is
joeyhauss.com/lakearrowheadjiujitsu; Instagram @lakearroweadjiujutsu. The first class is always free. Their phone is (818) 825-1129. There are no contracts to sign and no sign-up fees.
Lake Arrowhead Jiu-Jitsu is charter school approved as an active vendor of Granite Mountain, Springs, Sage Oak, Sky Mountain, Taylion and BEST Academy Charter Schools. There are also multi-family discounts and discounts for members of firefighter families and those in law enforcement. On their website are the rash guards, T-shirts and shorts of the BJJ fighting uniforms.
Lake Arrowhead Jiu-Jitsu invites you to “embrace the learning process as BJJ is as much a mental game as it is physical. Be prepared to feel overwhelmed at times, but also ready to embrace the process of learning and improving. Listen attentively, be patient with yourself and remember that progress in BJJ is often measured in small, incremental improvements.”
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