The Sensei Sandy
Blog
BJJ Catskills • Martial arts for adults (Hudson Valley)
Calm, practical posts for hesitant locals who want capability and confidence—without the ego culture.
Beginner lane: no hard sparring on day one.
Start Here
Exactly What Happens in Your First BJJ Class (Minute-by-Minute)
A calm walkthrough of Day 1—from the parking lot nerves to the end-of-class exhale. Includes the safety rule most people wish someone told them sooner.
Updated: December 2025 • Tags: BJJ Catskills, adult beginners, safety
New to BJJ?
Fast answer: you’re not “too old” or “too out of shape.”
Your first goal is simple: walk through the door once. We handle the curriculum; you just show up.
- Clean mats + calm coaching
- Scalable warm-up (not boot camp)
- No hard sparring on day one
Questions first? Call/text (518) 299-8233.
For Parents
Looking for youth options? Start here.
Latest Posts
BioGinastica in Tannersville: Greasing the Groove for No-Gi
A Saturday movement and breath stack that supports no-gi with joint-friendly strength and smooth transitions.
Updated: March 2026 • Tags: ginastica, movement, recovery
Seated Guard Basics: Posture, Frames, Distance Control, and Your First Safe Sweeps
A safe seated guard system: posture, frames, distance control, and simple entries that keep beginners organized.
Updated: March 2026 • Tags: seated guard, frames, sweeps
The Full Takedown Defense Guide (BJJ)
Posture, head position, hand fighting, sprawl mechanics, and calm resets so you can defend without panic.
Updated: March 2026 • Tags: takedown defense, stance, sprawl
Gi vs No-Gi BJJ: Why Training Both Is the Cheat Code
Gi builds control and structure, no-gi builds movement and adaptability. Train both and recover well for durable progress.
Updated: March 2026 • Tags: gi vs no-gi, beginner plan
BJJ Belts, Stripes, and Promotions
How Sensei Sandy BJJ ranks students up with clear standards: safety, consistency, and focus-plus parent-friendly celebrations.
Updated: March 2026 • Tags: belts, stripes, promotions
The Unlisted Curriculum: High-Performance Living Beyond the Gate
A Monocle-style editorial on resilience, Kinetic Chess culture, and the private studio five minutes from Onteora.
Updated: February 2026 • Tags: Onteora Park, Kinetic Chess, executive training
Growth Over Gold: A New BJJ Mindset
Daigo Umehara's tournament play becomes a template for practicing with intention instead of chasing the tap score.
Updated: February 2026 • Tags: BJJ mindset, growth
Why Your BJJ Sensei Hates Neck Cranks
A scalable technical fix for neck cranks, the Cow Catcher, and fluid guard play so you can keep training.
Updated: February 2026 • Tags: BJJ sensei, neck safety
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for Beginners Over 40 in the Catskills
Your calm, no-ego blueprint for safe, structured hobbyist BJJ in Hunter, Tannersville, and Kingston.
Updated: February 2026 • Tags: over 40, beginner guide
The "Gain Points" System: How BJJ Builds Character (Ages 5–12)
Parent-proof explanation of how Ascended Jiu Jitsu & Sensei Sandy use CLA, hidden curriculum, and Gain Points to shape resilient kids.
Updated: February 2026 • Tags: kid development, hidden curriculum
Human Chess: A Beginner’s Guide to BJJ in Kingston & Tannersville
Why the smartest sweat you’ll ever break belongs to physics, leverage, and the quiet intensity at Ascended Jiu Jitsu.
Updated: February 2026 • Tags: beginner guide, human chess, Kingston
Tuesday Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Tannersville, NY (Kids • Teens • Adults)
A premium dispatch on Tuesday night BJJ, the antidote to cabin fever with Local Pros tier access and a starter plan guarantee.
Updated: February 2026 • Tags: cabin fever, Tuesday BJJ, Local Pros
Cairo, NY: Why Your Neighbors Drive 18 Minutes to Train at Sensei Sandy BJJ
A direct comparison between mixed-arts generalists and a dedicated BJJ specialist for Cairo, Palenville, and Hunter residents.
Updated: January 2026 • Tags: Cairo NY, BJJ specialist, beginner
The "Snow Day" Culture: BJJ Home Dojo Plan (Catskills Edition)
No gym? No problem. Use the 5, 20, or 45-minute culture to stay mat-ready through Catskills snow days.
Updated: January 2026 • Tags: snow day, home dojo, drills
The Bio-Switch: Command Your Nervous System
Three breathing cultures to downshift panic, reboot energy, and sustain flow. Includes safety rules and a 7-day challenge.
Updated: January 2026 • Tags: breathwork, nervous system, focus
Gravity Is a Suggestion: 3 Wrestle-Ups to Win the Scramble
Stop scrambling and start wrestling up. Three high-percentage stand-ups with drills and fixes.
Updated: December 2025 • Tags: wrestle up, scramble, stand-up
How to Fall Without Getting Hurt: 3 Breakfalls Every Beginner Must Know
Don't fear the floor. A step-by-step Ukemi guide to the 3 essential breakfalls for new students in Kingston and Tannersville.
Updated: December 2025 • Tags: ukemi, breakfalls, safety
Catskills Gym Alternative: Beginner Jiu-Jitsu
A practical guide for locals who want capability, not just equipment rental. Learn why BJJ is the smart fitness pivot.
Updated: December 2025 • Tags: Catskills gym, functional fitness, Tannersville
BJJ Sensei: Meaning, Etiquette, and What to Call Your Instructor
A simple guide to sensei vs professor vs coach, plus the welcoming Catskills culture at Sensei Sandy BJJ.
Updated: December 2025 • Tags: bjj sensei, etiquette, beginners