This weekend we had the great privilege of having Phil Migliarese teach a Gracie Jiu Jitsu seminar at Scranton MMA. Phil Migliarese is the head instructor of Balance Studios in Philadelphia. Phil is a fifth degree Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under the legendary Relson Gracie. He has over twenty years of experience in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts. Phil was able to spend a great deal of time in the 1990’s learning directly from Grand Master Helio Gracie and Relson Gracie. They taught Phil exactly how to teach the art of Gracie Jiu Jitsu and anyone who was able to attend the event at Scranton Mixed Martial Arts can see how efficient and effective Phil is at teaching all the aspects of Gracie Jiu Jitsu.
Phil started the seminar by teaching some self defense techniques. Phil was able to break the entire series down into very easy and simple movements and then linked those movements together in a step by step fashion. He was always willing to take questions of see the problems people were having and help them overcome those problems or difficulties with ease. He showed some self defense techniques that some of the attendees have never seen. Including people with over 15 years of Gracie Jiu Jitsu experience. He was able to show the importance of these movements and techniques to all in attendance from the MMA fighters, to the Jiu Jitsu competitors, and the casual or recreational Gracie Jiu Jitsu student.
Phil then moved into showing some sport or competition based Jiu Jitsu techniques. Again he was able to clearly explain every detail of the move and break it down step by step into movements that were easy to do. Phil was able to clearly explain all the small details and why they were so important. His level of detailed explanation was truly remarkable and when someone is able to break a move down like that it allows you to transfer that movements, that philosophy, that strategy into other moves in Gracie Jiu Jitsu. Phil stressed that over and over again. How one part of this move will relate to another position or another submission in a different situation. So even though you might be learning or practicing one move it was really help several other moves.
Phil then closed out the seminar by taking anyones question on anything they might have. I dont want to give away any of Phil’s secrets but even the way he approached the question and answer session was very unique. It allowed all of us to benefit greatly from the questions that were asked. I am very thankful that the questions that were asked ended up being so beneficial. The moves, positions, submissions and even defenses that were discussed and taught during the question and answer session ended up adding a ton of value to the seminar and really will help improve everyones Gracie Jiu Jitsu game.
I just want to say thanks to everyone who made it out to the seminar. I hope you had as much fun as I did and I hope you feel like you learned as much as I did during the seminar. Of course I have to thank Phil from Balance Studios for putting on such a great seminar as well. He took time away from his family, friends and students to drive up to Scranton Pa to help all of us get better at Gracie Jiu Jitsu and I for one think he did an excellent Job!