HerronBJJ (Jiu-Jitsu and Self-Defense)

Our Instructors

Clay Herron

Clay is a black belt under Shawn Woods from Gracie Humaita Columbia, MO. Clay has been training with Shawn since Aug 2011.
Favorite game: spider / open guard
Favorite submission: triangle

Clay Herron

Black Belt

Janice Herron

Janice Herron is a brown belt under Gracie Humaita black belt, Shawn Woods in Columbia MO. She has been training with him since July, 2015. Janice has competed in several competitions taking gold and silver each time.

Janice Herron

Brown Belt

Schedule

Monday: Adults 5:30AM-6:15AM,Adults 10:30AM-11:30AM Starting first of the year;Tuesday: Adults 7PM-8PM; Wednesday:Adults 10:30AM-11:30AM Starting first of the year, Kids 6PM-6:45PM;Thursday: Women's Self Defense & Jiujitsu: 6PM-7PM, Adults 7PM-8PM; Saturday: Youth 9AM-10AM, Kids 10AM-10:45AM, Adults: 11AM-12PM, Open Mat:12PM-1PM;

Types of Classes

Kids and Youth Classes:

During the little kids classes we focus on control and self-defense first and foremost. They won’t actually begin learning submissions until the age of eight. The class setting helps teach the small kids and youth structure, discipline, and respect while the training will help build their confidence and instill important values.

Adult Classes:

The adult classes are a blend of basic and advanced techniques. This class includes both men and women, and includes sport jiu-jitsu as well as self-defense.

Women's Classes:

The women’s classes are a blend of basic and advanced techniques just like the adult classes, but it’s strictly for women. We allow the older youth females to attend this class as well.

I began training at Herron BJJ a few months into BJJ. Within a month of attending their school my abilities had grown exponentially, and I had a noticeable advantage over people who had been training the same amount of time as me. They are both incredibly well versed in the art of Jiu Jitsu and have an amazing ability to translate the techniques into easy-to-understand lessons for students of every skill level. In addition to providing group classes and self-defense lessons, they go out of their way to make themselves available for private lessons for anyone who’s interested. In addition to their own take on BJJ, they also have guest teachers who specialize in different techniques from surrounding schools visit frequently to expose their students to everything BJJ has to offer. If you’re looking for self-defense techniques, competition level training, or just to get into shape, then Herron BJJ is the place to be.

Patrick Mahon

Being a single parent is not easy and trying to juggle life in general was hard. I used to go home exhausted from the day with no energy to want to do anything. I needed change. I wasn't sure how or when but when I started doing some self defense at work I loved it and I wanted to know more beyond that so I starting training at Herron BJJ. It was one of the best decisions I have made. From day one my son and I were welcomed with open arms. I will admit I was nervous at first. I always thought 'I'm out of shape' or 'how am I going to be able to do this'. That's okay to doubt yourself but once you start learning and training your entire attitude and outlook will change. You will feel more confident about yourself and your ability to do things. In the five months I have been training I have wanted to push myself harder and have wanted to get in shape and be the best mother to my son I can be. And the best thing is Herron BJJ also offers woman's self defense class along with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. My son loves the training as well since they do offer a kids class. He was shy at first but training has also helped him be more confident and open. I can see myself and my son doing this for many years to come and I hope anyone who joins feels the same way as well. This isn't just a hobby its a lifestyle.

Lindsay Bauer

I was under the misconception that I was pretty tough, or that I could handle myself if the time would arise that needed it. Well, Janice taught me a bit of humility on one of my first classes, with her one- hundred pounds soaking wet, laugh out loud. There’s a lot to this sport and there are more than one way to tackle it. I currently engage as a hobbyist that would like to compete once I get my knees straightened out. No matter what level or style you want to train though, there’s always a spot for you. Some gyms will look at you as fresh meat coming through the doors, not at Herron though. Clay and Janice and every student there want to become better at BJJ, but they also want you to progress as well and truly become the best you can become. It’s been about four months so since I started and my drive has only increased, exponentially it seems. I have my first strip and I’ve lost 12 pounds since I started. I can feel a passion for this sport, something that I didn’t think would happen, or at least I didn’t start because I wanted it to, but it has taken root none the less. So come in and try it out. BJJ is what you make of it. I’ve found a family and a lifestyle that has and will continue to make me a better person physically, but also mentally. This is a great outlet for life’s stresses and a very beneficial skill to have and develop to deal with life’s unknowns. As iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another, and we do indeed sharpen one-another.

Lance Coursey

Frequently Asked Questions

What to expect at your first class:

At your first class you should expect to learn the structure and etiquette of the class. We begin by bowing in and then we proceed with warm-ups, which include moves to improve strength, balance, coordination, and flexibility. Some moves are even used in the techniques we'll show.

Next, you will be shown step-by-step techniques and concepts and then choose a partner to practice the moves with. Most of the techniques shown consist of the Gracie Humaita curriculum, as that is where the instructors themselves receive their training. The instructors will walk around and observe the partners drilling the techniques just shown. They will assist you if you have questions or they notice you're having trouble with the technique. Sometimes you'll just learn the technique but other times you may drill the move live with your partner afterwards, which we call positional sparring.

At the end of class we will bow out and you should expect to roll/spar with at least one of the instructors your first time. Then you have the choice to stay and roll/spar with everyone else or leave.

At HerronBJJ we offer various classes for all ages; kids class, youth class, women's only class, and adults class for both men and women. At this time we offer a couple days for most of these classes each week. As our gym grows we will gradually add more classes to the schedule.

Why train Brazilian jiu-jitsu?

Brazilian jiu-jitsu is beneficial for so many reasons. The biggest benefit of jiu-jitsu is the self-defense training. Once you practice the moves and become more fluid and confident you're more likely to be able to defend yourself should the need arise. Your confidence in general will improve simply by working hard and improving your skills. Watching students go from un-athletic, shy, and uncoordinated to the complete opposite is an unbelievable feeling for us as instructors. Imagine how it feels for the students! BJJ pushes people’s limits and helps people become more comfortable and better able to handle different aspects of life. Some people find that bjj helps their social anxiety, while others find that it helps with their patience or stress. These are only a few of the many things bjj can do for your life.

In addition to learning self-defense and improving your confidence, bjj also teaches respect, discipline, and control. This is especially important for kids. We don't teach kids how to beat up a bully or an attacker; we teach them how to defend themselves by controlling them or subduing them safely. The techniques we teach allows a person to overcome an attacker with minimal effort and strength using concepts that relate to anatomy and how the body moves.

Fitness is another great benefit of bjj. Most people think they need to get in shape before they try jiu-jitsu when in reality they need to try jiu-jitsu to get in shape. We're not going to lie, bjj is hard work! If you feel like you need to prepare yourself before beginning bjj, a couple things we recommend are to work on your cardio and do a lot of stretching.

Some people train bjj to challenge themselves competitively. While we do not require any of our students to compete we do encourage trying it at least once. While bjj will push you mentally and physically, competing will push you that much harder by further challenging you and testing your limits.

Picture from a Shawn Woods seminar at Herron BJJ

Why HerronBJJ?

At HerronBjj we primarily teach Gracie Humaita Brazilian jiu-jitsu and self-defense. The instructors here all train under Shawn Woods at Gracie Humaita Columbia Missouri. We strive to provide a family-friendly environment where we can "teach good people great jiu-jitsu"-J.W. Wright. We know personally how much bjj can affect your life in a positive manner.

We all start out as a white belt, but we all have a different goal which means everyone's journey is different. Some of you may do it just as a hobby or to stay in shape while others may be more inclined to transform it into a healthy lifestyle, and some people may be in it to compete and prove themselves. We want to help you all on your journey, no matter what it may be. At HerronBJJ we want to help you become better; stronger, more confident, fit, and more coordinated than when you began. You will never be compared to others, but rather to yourself and how you’ve progressed since your journey began.

Gracie Humaita has a huge community of people who are friendly and continually supportive of one another. We all want to see each other succeed and help any way we can. We’re almost like a huge family in a way.

What is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art and combat sport system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was formed from Kodokan judo ground fighting fundamentals that were taught by a number of individuals including Takeo Yano, Mitsuyo Maeda and Soshihiro Satake. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu eventually came to be its own combat sport through the experiments, practices, and adaptation of judo through Carlos and Helio Gracie (who passed their knowledge on to their extended family) as well as other instructors who were students of Maeda, such as Luiz Franca.

BJJ promotes the concept that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend themselves or another against a bigger, stronger, heavier assailant by using proper technique, leverage, and most notably, taking the fight to the ground, and then applying joint locks and chokeholds to defeat the opponent. BJJ training can be used for sport grappling tournaments and in self-defense situations. Sparring (commonly referred to as "rolling" within the BJJ community) and live drilling play a major role in training, and a premium is placed on performance, especially in competition, in relation to progress and ascension through its ranking system.

Since its inception in 1882, its parent art of judo was separated from older systems of Japanese jiu-jitsu by an important difference that was passed on to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It is not solely a martial art; it is also a sport, a method for promoting physical fitness and building character in young people, and ultimately a way of life.

Veterans

Mission 22 Partner Gym

Herron BJJ is veteran owned and operated, and is a Mission 22 Partner gym. Mission 22 helps veterans with programs to eliminate or reduce the symptoms of trauma.

Discounts are available for disabled veterans through the Mission 22 program.