Ryan Cheng
Lead Instructor
Mark Simmerman
Instructor
Neroli Li
Instructor
Lead Instructor
Instructor
Instructor
Ryan has been training and teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for more than 10 years. He is a passionate competitor and often participates in international tournaments. Ryan won a Gold medal in the North America Open in 2014, and Gold (2016) and Silver (2018) Medals in the Asian Championship. As a fighter of smaller body size, Ryan knows how to apply techniques to counter the weight and power of larger opponents. Ryan has been teaching and sharing BJJ knowledge since his days as a blue belt. He is also a yoga practitioner and tries to incorporate his understanding of yoga into his BJJ training and teaching. Ryan’s teaching emphasizes body mechanics, injury prevention, strategies and tactics of Jiu Jitsu, and the precise application of technique. His approach to teaching gives students an accelerated, deeper and more comprehensive understanding of this complex grappling sport. Ryan earned his black belt under Japanese Master Makoto Aramaki.
Mark started grappling 14 years ago at age 38. From his first class, he fell in love with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and submission grappling and has been training, competing and teaching ever since. Mark is a black belt that provides easy to understand instruction with special attention to the small details that can make big differences. Mark has a special interest in teaching athletes who are older, need to lose weight, or who have a chronic injury or disability. He also loves to train hard with the younger competitive athletes. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has kept Mark fit and flexible all these years and can do the same for you!
Neroli is currently a brown belt. She started to practice BJJ as she wanted to learn some self-defence techniques. She believes that BJJ is a great combat sport to develop physical fitness and personal resilience. As a certified yoga teacher, Neroli believes that yoga is a perfect complement to Jiu Jitsu, and that it is important to prioritize injury prevention instead of just reacting when physical signs like pain and stiffness are present. Yoga increases the flexibility of the body, improves coordination, and helps us to execute movements in a more healthy and efficient way. Apart from the physical benefits, the practice of purposeful breathing and awareness of body and mental status contribute to improved performance in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Neroli’s instruction is precise and playful.