Jiu-jitsu helps students gain confidence, lose weight

An academy where a surf board hangs atop the front desk and images of Bob Marley can be appreciated from any angle in the room may not be the vision one expects when thinking of a martial arts academy. But for Grayslake resident Christopher Lund, that is the perfect sanctuary in which to teach.

At his OHANA Martial Arts academy on Progressive Drive in Grayslake, the 39-year-old instructor teaches Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Ohana, Lund said, means family in Hawaiian.

At his academy, he teaches his family of students this form of martial arts, which originated in Brazil in the 1900s.

Lund learned that art in Hawaii with the Gracie family at the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy of Honolulu.

This particular martial art is a favorite in the mixed martial arts championships and has the concepts of leverage and technique at its core. The floor is used to execute moves to more easily dominate an opponent as well as to remain balanced and controlled. It's called ground combat -- and those who practice the art remain on the floor for most of the time.

Lund's students come from throughout Lake County and work in different fields. They are police officers, engineers and restaurant servers.

The surfer black belt instructor compares this art to the waves he use to ride in Hawaii.

“Like the art, the waves are beautiful but they have a destructive element,” Lund said.

When teaching, Lund comes on to the middle of the mat in his serene academy and choses a partner.
The two lock legs and in a matter of seconds are twisted and entangled like a human pretzel. In a soft voice that's just a shade above the soft music playing in the background, he explains how his arm and hand will make his opponent let go of his leg because of the painful position he's about to put him in.

While he does this with a gentle but precise and strong manner, everyone closely watches from their position in the circle surrounding the two. Then Lund gets up, walks away as fluidly as he came and floats around the room watching his students as they practice the move with a partner.

His technique is similar to learning the steps to a dance. Place an arm here, a leg there, feet in this position.

As students practice the newly taught technique, Lund corrects any body part that seems out of place from his male and female students.

Watching the dance can almost defer the mind from the fact that this sport is capable of rendering an opponent injured, disabled or dead.

“It's a human chess match,” Lund said. “One wrong move and checkmate. One elbow to an artery for too long can kill someone.”

Lund and his academy are not about hurting and pain. It's not about asserting power, Lund said.

Those hoping to exude power and dominance from their knowledge of the martial arts, he said, usually don't stay very long.

His students who want to acquire the skills that build confidence, such as Nathan Jensen of Gurnee, who's been Lund's student for the past four years.

Jensen said he joined the academy to get discipline and do something productive.

He's lost 55 pounds in the last two years. It's sweat equity of his loyalty to the art.

"You develop a lot of confidence doing this," Jensen said. "I used to get picked on when I was a kid."
Jensen said he started out not knowing anything and now feels certain he can get out of any difficult position, if he ever needed to.

For Mundelein resident Cathy Perkuski, a 39-year-old single mom of two young boys, the training she gets at Lund's academy is “a workout with a purpose,” she said.

She said she gets better every time. She's also lost 15 pounds and said she's built muscle in her arms.
"My kids say to me, 'Hhave fun at ninja school, mom,'" Perkuski said.

Lund said he behaves like a coach he'd want to have. He strives for a clean appearance and wants to be a good person who is genuinely passionate about the art he's teaching.

He became attracted to the martial arts after watching the original "Karate Kid" movie.

Whatever the reason his students may have today to join his family at OHANA martial arts, is good enough for him to welcome them and teach them the art of Brazilian jiu-jitsu or other forms of martial arts.

At the academy a workshop with Renato "Charuto" Verissimo, a jiu-jitsu mentor will be held from noon to 3 p.m., Saturday, May 11.

The cost is $80. BJJ Black Belts are welcome to participate for free. This workshop is open to all levels and academies. For more infomation, call 847-338-5425 or visit www.ohana.com.