Family-owned and operated since 2007, The Stronghold jiu-jitsu has found a new home in Liberty Station.
Previously at 2176 Chatsworth Blvd., The Stronghold now offers martial arts training for both genders ages 2 and up at 2751 Roosevelt Road, Suite 200, above G3 Kids in Liberty Station.
“We strive to offer high-quality jiu itsu in a family-friendly environment and have recently moved our academy to our beautiful and historical new neighborhood,” said the martial arts training center on its website, thestronghold.com. “We consider all of our students Stronghold family for life. We’re not just an academy; we’re a community dedicated to fostering personal growth through martial arts.”
On its website, The Stronghold states its mission is to provide a supportive and empowering environment where individuals of all ages and skill levels can train, learn, and grow both on and off the mats. “Founded by a team of experienced and dedicated practitioners, Stronghold is committed to excellence in both technique and character development. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned competitor, our world-class instructors are here to help you achieve your goals and unleash your full potential.”
“Everyone has their niche,” noted The Stronghold’s co-founder Raquel Regno Cusi, adding “We’ve been part of this community (Peninsula) for 18 years now.”
Is one jiu-jitsu center much different from another? “Always. So much,” answered Regno Cusi. “Some schools train hard. We’re more of a family-friendly, train-for-life type of gym. This is a lifelong martial art.”
Regno Cusi discussed the “coolest” thing about The Stronghold. “We’ve graduated two generations now,” she said. “So a lot of those kids that started with us when they were ages 3 to 5, now come back and coach for us.”
Stronghold’s co-founder noted their business co-leases space from G3 Kids downstairs in their barracks building. G3 is a children’s active learning academy offering parties, gymnastics classes, after-school programs, and more. “Everyone knows G3,” noted Regno Cusi pointing out, “I feel every family should swim, do gymnastics or wrestling or jiu-jitsu, self-defense; that’s what every kid should do.”
For Regno Cusi and her family, jiu-jitsu is more than just a business: It’s a generational lifestyle. “We start at age 2 now,” she said adding, “I’ve had several students who’ve now brought their children to me.”
About Liberty Station, Regno Cusi said: “It’s such an untapped thing for Point Loma families – everything is here. It feels like this is perfect for us, all the history. The trade-offs have been good.”
The Stronghold offers a free group class or private lesson for prospective members. For more information, call 858-722-0942.
THE STRONGHOLD
Where: 2751 Roosevelt Road, Suite 200
Info: thestrongholdsd.com, 858-722-0942
Hours: Mondays-Fridays 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. to noon.
Jiu-jitsu is a family of Japanese martial arts and a system of close combat that can be used defensively or offensively against one or more weaponless or armed and armored opponents. Certain styles of jiu-jitsu were used to develop many modern martial arts and combat sports such as judo, aikido, sambo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and mixed martial arts.
Because striking against armored opponents proved ineffective, practitioners learned that the most efficient methods for neutralizing an enemy took the form of pins, joint locks, and throws. These techniques were developed around the principle of using an attacker’s energy against them, rather than directly opposing it.
There are many variations of the art leading to a diversity of approaches. Jiu-jitsu schools may utilize all forms of grappling techniques – throwing, takedowns, leg sweeps, trapping, pins, joint locks, holds, choke holds, striking, etc. – to some degree. Jiu-jitsu, like karate, has colored belts distinguishing achievement levels as practitioners advance. Today, jiu-jitsu is practiced in both traditional self-defense-oriented and modern sports forms.