Marcus Soares Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Zen Mixed Martial Arts is the only school in Ottawa with a second generation Carlson Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor and the only school to teach the curriculum of Master Marcus Soares. Our program is led by Head Instructor David Dash, a Marcus Soares black belt who has competed and trained all over the world.

Beginner students start in our fundamental classes, which place an emphasis on mastery of the most basic and fundamental Jiu Jitsu techniques while senior Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu students will enjoy our advanced classes.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu  teaches techniques that a smaller weaker person can successfully use to  defend against a bigger, stronger assailant by using leverage and proper technique. 

A typical class includes a warm-up, strength and cardio  conditioning, stretching, Judo and wrestling take downs, ground drills,  practice from different positions followed by instruction in proper Brazilian Jiu Jitsu techniques and rolling.  

The style of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu we teach in Ottawa is different from the other martial arts schools in Ottawa. We follow the tradition that Carlson Gracie started at his academy of teaching a distinct style from that being taught by his uncle Helio and other schools. We only teach authentic Master Marcus Soares Brazilian JIu-Jitsu as it was taught by Carlson Gracie himself. 

Carlson favored a style of Jiu-Jitsu that encouraged  physical prowess, passing the opponent’s guard and then barraging them with a series of techniques from the top position. Students  in our BJJ program will learn choke holds, joint lock submissions as well as positional techniques and ground control.