1- Who is the Jiu Jitsu instructor?

Louis Ho is the head instructor at 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Montreal. He is the original founder and head instructor of H2O Martial Arts Academy in Montreal. Louis has studied with some of the best submission artists on the planet, including several members of the Gracie family. He is a certified Brown Belt instructor under Eddie Bravo in the 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu system. Suffering from a chronic lower back condition since adolescence, Louis has developed a cerebral style that emphasizes technique over strength and athleticism. He is known for possessing a dangerous guard game, as well as an “anaconda-like” top game control. At age 42, Louis is still actively competing in Jiu Jitsu tournaments, tapping out considerably more athletic opponents half his age.

Louis has a Masters of Science (in Administration) degree from Concordia University. He is certified in Active Release Techniques (A.R.T.) and Myofascial Release therapy. He is also an accomplished blues guitarist.

2- How do I know if I have a good Jiu Jitsu instructor?

This is a hard one to answer. But, here are a few thoughts. A good instructor should be willing to spar his/her students out in the open. If you never see the instructor spar with the students, then something is wrong. A good instructor should not have such an ego as to be offended when a student does well against him/her during sparring. There is a local jiu jitsu instructor that does roll with his students. But if you beat him, or even come close to beating him in open sparring, you better pack your bag and look for another school. No joke.

A good instructor should pay equal attention to all students. In some schools, the instructor only pays attention to the top students. This is simply wrong. Everyone should deserve equal respect and attention. A good instructor actually teaches the classes as opposed to always getting one of the students to teach the class. A good instructor will try to make sure that the students master the fundamentals. Some instructors teach fancy submissions to students who don’t even know the most fundamental techniques. You have to learn to crawl before you can walk. We can go on and on.

3- What are some of the advantages of training at 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Montreal?

There are many advantages of training at 10th Planet Montreal. But perhaps the greatest benefit is the level of interaction with the Head Instructor. Students receive very detailed instruction and feedback directly from the Head Instructor. No student ever gets left behind from a teaching standpoint. Moreover, all students get to spar on a daily basis with the Head Instructor. The opportunity to spar with an instructor of such experience is a great learning tool. Another benefit is simply the cleanliness of the school. The top of the line MMA mats are kept clean.  You will not find the stench of sweat and bacteria that are pervasive in many other schools.

4- Does your school do competitions?

Yes, our students are very active in Jiu Jitsu competitions. In fact, our students do very well in Jiu Jitsu competitions (often coming in 1st place). Of course, not all of our students wish to participate in competitions. This is a personal choice, and no one is ever pushed into competing.

5- What is the lineage of 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu?

10th Planet Jiu Jitsu is very unique in that we are one of the very few pure No-Gi Jiu Jitsu schools that have a direct lineage to the founding fathers of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Eddie Bravo, who is the originator of 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu, was trained and received his black belt under the legendary Jean Jacques Machado. Jean Jacques Machado, alongside his other brothers, were cousins to the Gracie Family. The Machado brothers received their training directly from the Gracies, the founders of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

6- Do you award belts (rankings) in your system of Jiu Jitsu?

Yes, we definitely do award belts at 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu. The belt ranking system is identical to that of traditional Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The order of progression is: white, blue, purple, brown, and finally black. Unlike some other martial arts, belt promotions are not given out easily under the 10th Planet system. Any belt promotion must be EARNED through hard work. There are no short cuts. Several factors are taken into consideration when deciding if a belt promotion is warranted, such as knowledge of the art, fluidity/execution of the techniques, performance during sparring, performance in competitions, loyalty to the system/school, ability to share one's knowledge with fellow students, etc.

7- I have never done martial arts before and I'm not even in good shape. Would I be able to train at 10th Planet?

Yes, of course. Everyone, regardless of experience or fitness level, is welcome to train at 10th Planet Montreal. All our classes are conducted in a safe and supportive environment by experienced and qualified instructors. Whether you're interested in Kickboxing, Jiu Jitsu, self-defense, or just getting into shape, you should find what you are looking for at 10th Planet Montreal.

8- What is the class atmosphere like at 10th Planet Montreal?

At 10th Planet Montreal, we take our training very seriously. Having said that, the class environment is actually very friendly and relaxed. Everybody is treated with equal respect and there are no huge egos to deal with.