We’ve added a Wednesday morning class for those of you who like to start their day right.

Starting in April, Paul Nikhinson will be teaching from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. on Wednesdays. This class is for members only – no drop-ins.

Also, for future reference, the two “members only” classes (Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. and Saturday at 12:30 p.m.) require that the student has already attended 10 regular classes. The level of instruction and supervision assume the student already has a fair understanding of 10th Planet technique and procedure. So, if any of your friends plan on attending these classes, please let them know in advance.

Check out the latest episode of Open Mat Radio for an exclusive look at jiu jitsu through the eyes of two of its most important innovators, Eddie Bravo and Denny Prokopos.

“10th Planet is a product of the closed-mindedness of the Braziliain Jiu Jitsu community. They created it. I’m doing this for Jiu Jitsu.” – Eddie Bravo

“From the day that I took that private with Eddie, I knew I wanted to be 10th Planet.” – Denny Prokopos

Here’s your chance to learn from a member of one of the royal families of jiu jitsu. The Machados are known for their destructively-precise jiu jitsu, and they shepherded the sport from obscurity to prominence in America.

Rigan is a legend in his own right. The nephew of grandmaster Carlos Gracie, holds the prestigious rank of 8th Degree Red Belt.

This is a rare opportunity, so don’t miss it! Here are the details:

Who: Rigan Machado
What: No-Gi Jiu Jitsu seminar
When: Sunday, May 13th, from 12-3pm
Where: 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu San Francisco
333 Valencia St., Suite #100
San Francisco, CA 94103
(located inside Valencia Street Muscle)
Contact: 10thplanetjiujitsusf.com or 650-784-1839

Cost: $75 early bird special: ends Tuesday, May 1st
$85 Pre-sale discount: ends Thursday, May 10th
$100 at the door (subject to selling out)

Cash or check(made out to Rigan Machado) only
-Seminar OPEN TO EVERYONE FROM ANY ACADEMY

Check out the 35th installment of Mastering the System, following the ongoing odyssey of the 10th Planet System, as it travels through the treacherous world of jiu jitsu.

Mastering the System – Episode 35

Follow the links to watch his game:

Ultra Heavyweight – first match

Ultra Heavyweight – final

Absolute – Final

Four years ago, I started 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu, San Francisco, in the back room of a gym with a hand full of students. Today, the school has become a part of the community, creating opportunities for locals who love jiu jitsu and visitors who want to experience the system.

For those of you who want to get involved, and for those of you who have friends who are thinking about joining, 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu, San Francisco, is offering a limited time anniversary promotion:

New students get one month free for signing up in March. This is $140 value is only available until the end of the month, so, if you know anyone who is interested in joining, encourage them to get in soon, so they can take advantage of this offer.

Thanks again, and let’s make the next four even better!

In case you missed it because you were wasting valuable jiu jitsu time on your girlfriend, here’s the February 14th episode of OTM radio. The episode features three rising stars, including our own, Denny Prokopos, who talks about his experience as 10th Planet’s first Black Belt and his recent win at the Gracie U.S. Nationals.

Available at OnTheMat.com

I guess a Blue Belt promotion is the next logical step for someone who beat all the White Belts in his weight class. Fresh off a first place finish at the 2012 Gracie U.S. National submission only tournament in Los Angeles, Alex got his Blue Belt this week, in recognition of all of his hard work.

Keep up the good work, Alex.

10th Planet Jiu Jitsu, San Francisco traveled to the 2012 Gracie U.S. Nationals in Los Angeles last weekend, and showed the other competitors what the 10th Planet System is all about. 10th Planet students already know how hard we train as a team – and it showed. Our teammates earned top places across the board.

Leonard Alexander Canders, Junior took gold at the 145lbs. White Belt division, Ben Eddy took silver at the 145lbs. Blue Belt division, Michael Hillebrand took gold at the 185lbs. Blue Belt division, Adam Sachnoff took gold at the Purple Belt 205lbs. and up division, and our coach, Denny Prokopos, crushed the competition with a 10th Planet twister and his signature guillotine to take the top spot at the Black Belt 155lbs. division.

Overall, the team went 12-1 in a submission only tournament.

Great job, guys! 2012 is our year!

The normal class schedule will resume the following Monday.

Have a safe and fun holiday!