Thinking about starting Brazilian jiu jitsu but not sure what you're walking into? You're in the right place. This is a guide for the total beginner — the person who has never trained anything and just wants to know how to start BJJ here in Thibodaux without feeling lost or out of place. Here's exactly what to expect, and how we bring new people in.
First Thing to Know: Relax
When someone walks through our door for the first time, the biggest thing I want them to hear is this: just be calm and relax. There's no need to feel like you have to win anything. Stay loose when you move, and pay attention. Don't feel like you have to do everything perfectly, and don't feel like you're out there to compete with everybody.
Just show up, relax, try to enjoy the training session, and pull as much from it as you can every time you're on the mat. That mindset alone will carry you further than any technique in your first month.
Just show up, relax, and pull as much from each session as you can. That's how you start.
What Your First Few Weeks Look Like
Honestly, your first few weeks are mostly about getting acclimated. You're learning your environment, learning what your body feels like after a training session, and giving yourself time to recover. That recovery piece is a huge part of making those first weeks productive — it's not just about what happens on the mat, it's about letting your body adjust.
To keep you from feeling lost, our program is built around structured drilling. You'll see some of the same drills repeated over and over, and that repetition is on purpose — those drills are designed to help you understand position, so you're not standing there wondering what's going on. Once you understand where you are and where you're trying to get to, everything starts to click.
How We Pair You Up
We put new people in a mixed group of training partners, and we do it for specific reasons:
- We pair you with experienced students who can give you a helping hand and guide you through the positions.
- We also let you train with other newer people — because when two people are figuring out the same problem together, they build a bond and learn to communicate. They start helping each other work out what the drill was or how to solve the position they're stuck in.
That mix is intentional. It means you're never just thrown to the wolves, and you're never the only one learning. You're part of a room full of people who genuinely want to help one another.
Why This Is a Good Place to Start
Two things make Next Generation Martial Arts a great place for a beginner. First, we have a room full of people who want to help each other — that culture matters more than anything. Second, we have a program you can actually prepare with.
Our students can log in online and see what an upcoming class is going to look like before they ever step on the mat. It's like being able to study before a test — you refresh your brain, you get a little ahead, and you walk in feeling prepared instead of lost. That preparation raises your comfort level a ton, and comfort is what keeps beginners coming back. Not many gyms can offer that, and we're proud that we can.
Want the Deeper Details?
We've written honest, plain-spoken guides on exactly what this feels like: what to expect in your first month, why jiu jitsu is easier to start than most people think, and how to fit into a new academy without feeling awkward.
You're Not Too Old, Too Out of Shape, or Too Uncoordinated
I hear these three excuses all the time, and here's the truth: you're never too old, you're never too out of shape, and you're never too uncoordinated to start. Every one of those is something you improve by doing the thing, not by waiting until you've fixed it first.
You just have to be willing to get yourself out of whatever rut you're in and commit to making yourself a little better each and every day. Training is one of the best ways I know to do exactly that. If you've been telling yourself you'll start "once you're in better shape," flip it around — starting is how you get in better shape. (If you need convincing, read why you're never too old to start and why BJJ works for people who hate the gym.)
Ready to Start?
You don't need any experience, any gear, or any conditioning to walk through our door. You just need to be willing to show up, relax, and give it an honest try. We'll handle the rest — the structure, the partners, the guidance, and the community are already here waiting for you.
Your first week of Brazilian jiu jitsu in Thibodaux is completely free. Claim your free week and come see what it's all about.