March 2026 | Episode #23
March always feels like a turning point. The days get a little longer, the air warms up, and things that have been dormant all winter start moving again. In martial arts, that mindset aligns with the idea of kaizen - continuous improvement through small, steady progress over time.
At LŌKAHI, we’re always trying to embrace that spirit. The academy is constantly evolving, whether through new ideas, new spaces, or new ways of thinking about training. This month we’re excited to share a few of those developments, and reflect on how progress - both on and off the mats - often comes from small steps that gradually build into something bigger.
Phase II : LŌKAHI Lounge COMPLETE!
When we first began building out the gym, there was one idea that kept coming up in our conversations.
What if we had a place upstairs where people could just chill?
A place where the morning crew could grab their first cup of coffee. A place where parents could relax while their kids trained. And a place where Uncle Matt could nap after enduring kid’s class (he actually does this, by the way).
The Members Lounge has been a long time coming. Like most projects at LŌKAHI, the vision was the easy part. Coordinating contractors, picking furniture, and agreeing on colors proved to be much more challenging. Take a peak at the initial layout from our project plan.
Pictured: Our future lounge that we would end up spending way too much time in.
But after plenty of discussion and a few spirited debates, the space finally came together! The most rewarding thing has been hearing the feedback from our members.
Isabelle summed it up perfectly: “It feels really nice and smells like coffee. The fairy lights have a really cute aesthetic and it always makes me feel comfortable.”
Others have noticed the small details. Adelynn pointed out the plants right away, saying the lounge feels peaceful and that the furniture is “really comfortable.”
For many parents, the lounge has become a place to decompress while the kids train. Connie mentioned how much she appreciates having the room to spread out. “It’s beautiful and very spacious. It gives everyone their own space to relax while the kids are on the mats.”
And for some members, the lounge has quietly become something even more useful.
Rahul has turned it into his remote office. During his son’s training sessions, he sets up his laptop and knocks out focused work.
“It gives me an extra hour of really productive time,” he told us. “The environment is great for that. I like the plants, the whole arrangement… and the coffee helps too. It’s been a really fantastic addition.”
That’s exactly the kind of thing we hoped would happen.
Jiu-jitsu will always be the center of what we do here. But the truth is, the mats are only part of the experience. The relationships that form around them - before class, after class, and sometimes upstairs with a cup of coffee - are what really make a place feel like home.
The lounge is still new, and we’re sure it will continue to evolve as more people use it. But if the early feedback is any indication, it’s already becoming exactly what we hoped it would be: a place where the LŌKAHI community can slow down, connect, and spend a little more time together.
““Visited Ryan and the crew at Lokahi for the Justin Flores seminar. What a wonderful place with wonderful people. Many years of great Jiu-Jitsu are in store!!”
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Wanna see the rest of our space?
The 3 Games of Jiu-Jitsu
When most people begin training jiu-jitsu, they think about developing a game.
They build their favorite guard. They learn a few reliable sweeps. Maybe they develop a submission they can chase from everywhere. Over time, that collection of techniques becomes “their game.” But as practitioners become more experienced, something subtle starts to change.
Every opponent presents a different set of conditions. Your partner may be bigger or faster. They may be less experienced. They may be more experienced. Or you may be against a familiar opponent but instead of being fresh you’re ten rounds deep into an open mat. The longer you train, the more you realize that jiu-jitsu isn’t just one game. It’s 3 different games, and learning how to navigate between them becomes an important part of developing as a practitioner.
Before we talk about the 3 games, let’s clarify one point. A ‘Game’ is not a single move, a single guard, or a single submission. It’s a strategy that incorporates all of these components into a unique approach. If you’re still unsure - no worries, we’ll unpack this concept shortly.
Game #1: The Even Match
These are the scraps everyone remembers.
Two practitioners of similar skill, similar size, and similar energy levels. Nobody has a clear advantage, and both players are trying to impose their best positions and timing. This is where you play your A-game.
You work your strongest positions. You test your timing. You try to connect your techniques the way they were designed to flow together. These rounds often feel like small wars - scrappy, sweaty exchanges where both people leave the mat exhausted and smiling. Early in your jiu-jitsu journey, these rounds are pure chaos. Later on, especially at the upper belts, they begin to resemble a technical chess match. Every grip matters. Every inch of position is contested. Small adjustments decide the outcome.
These rounds are one of the best barometers of your development. Training with your regular partners gives you a baseline, but stepping outside your gym can be especially valuable here. Cross-training at open mats or competing in tournaments exposes you to new styles and new timing. It helps you measure how your jiu-jitsu stacks up beyond your immediate training room.
Game #2: When You Have the Advantage
Sometimes the skill gap is clear.
Maybe you’re rolling with a newer student. Maybe the size or athleticism difference favors you. In these situations, your goal shouldn’t simply be to win as quickly as possible. Instead, this is where you expand your game.
A round like this allows you to explore new ideas. You can experiment with positions you’re trying to develop, work on transitions that aren’t fully polished yet, or test new submissions and setups. But that doesn’t mean being sloppy.
It’s not the time to throw up a loose triangle simply because you know you can recover guard. But it might be the time to allow a triangle to be defended so you can explore the transition that comes next.
This is one of the reasons upper belts need lower belts. Newer practitioners provide the repetitions that allow experienced grapplers to continue evolving. They create the space to refine timing, develop new sequences, and gradually build the next layer of their game. Without those rounds, growth eventually slows. Being a mat bully is only fun until you get bullied. Which is why you need to develop Game Numero Tres.
Game #3: When You’re at a Disadvantage
Then there are the rounds where the math is not in your favor.
Your partner might outweigh you by 50, 60, or even 100 pounds. They might be faster, stronger, or more technically skilled. Or you might simply be exhausted after a long stretch of rolling. In these situations, the game changes again.
This is where you play smart and defensive jiu-jitsu.
Timing still matters, but efficiency becomes even more important. You focus on winning the small battles first: hand fighting, controlling the inside space, managing distance, and protecting your frames. Instead of constant attacks, you conserve your energy and wait for the right moment. Sometimes you only get one real opportunity for a sweep or submission. And even if you manage to get on top, that doesn’t guarantee you’ll stay there.
In these rounds, tactics matter more than volume. Patience matters more than speed. Learning to survive, recover, and capitalize on small openings is a skill in itself. When you start to appreciate these exchanges, you realize that even defensive rounds can be deeply satisfying.
Sometimes the little victories - escaping a bad position, recovering guard, or just not getting submitted - are the most meaningful wins of the day.
”Fall down seven times, Get up eight.” - Japanese proverb
Taking Ownership of Your Training
As practitioners grow in skill, one of the most important shifts is taking ownership of their training.
Your coaches and mentors provide guidance. They give you direction and help you avoid major mistakes. But long-term development requires some level of self-study and exploration. Understanding the three games is part of that process.
You begin to recognize what each round is asking of you. Sometimes you test your A-game. Sometimes you expand your game. Sometimes you’re just trying to survive and pick your opportunities. Each version of the game serves a different purpose, but all three are necessary for growth.
Now in my fifth year as a black belt, I’m still surprised by how much there is left to learn. A subtle shift in balance, a new way of gripping, a solo drill that improves my guard retention - these little details can unlock new layers of understanding and ability. Jiu-jitsu has a way of rewarding curiosity. And maybe that’s the real secret.
If someone says they’re bored with jiu-jitsu, it usually isn’t because the art has run out of things to teach.
It’s because they stopped looking for the next game to play.
“The training at Lokahi is top notch and accessible to all skill levels. But what truly sets this place apart are the people and culture within. It’s truly one of a kind. I can not recommend them enough.
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What’s Coming Next for Team LŌKAHI???
New Merch designs.
Revamped Promotions.
Exciting schedule changes.
First team sponsorship of 2026.
Upcoming Local Tournaments
March 14th - NewBreed
Kansas City, MO
March 28th - Grappling Industries
Kansas City, MO
*April 11th - Nebraska Jiu-jitsu Spring Open
Lincoln, NE
April 25th - Fuji BJJ Spring Championships
Omaha, NE
May 9th - Submission Challenge
Lincoln, NE
May 9th - Sub Spectrum May Day
Des Moines, IA
* Team-Sponsored
Seminar Announcement!
I’m excited to be visiting my friends in Lee’s Summit, Missouri next month! The first of a multi-part series, our goal is to provide a reliable blueprint for grapplers of all backgrounds to utilize while on the feet. Participants can expect a combination of task-based games, engagement-specific strategies, and hand-fighting principles to give grapplers of any level an immediate step-up.
Special thanks to Professor Josh Smith and his team for organizing this event!
Fun Fact: Lee’s Summit is the highest point between Kansas City and St.Louis - although probably not high enough to go skiing…
MARCH Birthdays
Wishing all of our Collective Members a very happy birthday!
1st - Graham Carson
4th - Jake Novak
6th - Roen Gourley
12th - Ian Aguilar
14th - Emmanuel Mora
14th - Troy Ebel
19th - Antonio Martinez
23rd - Chris Fields
24th - Ben Clinch
25th - Nathan Locklear
26th - Noah Richardson
*Don’t see your birthday? Update your profile on the app or speak with someone at the front desk!
Pictured: Cole Johnston and Jason Bartholomew get tangled in their pajamas.
“Visiting from out of town and had a great experience! High quality instruction. Technical and safe training partners. Clean and aesthetic interior. Planning to drop in during my next trip to town. Recommend for anyone in the Omaha area!!
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