Category: Uncategorized

We will be closed Today in honor of Labor Day

  Congrats to new Jiu Jitsu stripes. Blue Belt 1st stripe Maddy Ledesma Justine Ledesma   Purple Belt 1st stripe   Fred Isaacs

  What is Muay Thai? Muay Thai is a martial art and combat sport that originated in Thailand. It is often referred to as the “Art of Eight Limbs” because it allows the use of fists, elbows, knees, and shins, making it a highly dynamic and versatile fighting style. Muay Thai is characterized by its […]

    Congrats to everyone that was promoted and striped this past week in Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai.    

The world is filled with feel-good stories about how people have transformed their bodies – and their lives – by starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). To anyone who has ever practiced BJJ before, this is unsurprising. Each BJJ class is packed with various techniques, exercises, and even some ‘live’ drilling and sparring. All of that might […]

  Martial arts is not just a physical practice; it is a way of life. Beyond the punches, kicks, and throws lies a rich philosophy that encompasses discipline, respect, focus, and perseverance. The principles learned in the dojo can be applied to various aspects of our everyday lives, bringing about positive transformations and personal growth. […]

  Hey ladies, are you ready to unlock your inner warrior? Martial arts training isn’t just for the guys anymore. There are numerous benefits that martial arts can offer women, from boosting confidence to developing self-defense skills. So, gear up, tie that belt, and let’s dive into the exciting world of martial arts training for […]

  6 time world champion and ADCC Absolute  Champion will be doing a seminar at Tai kai   Early Bird Registration $109 up until  August23rd Pre-Registration $139 August 24th to Sept 28th Regular Registration  Sept 29th to October 27th $169 At the DOOR $189 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Congrats to Team Tai Kai on taking 2nd place at the Syracuse Grappling Industries.Thank you to all the competitors and coaches.   Full Results   2nd place PETER RAYMOND-SMIEDY 3rdplace DEREK PRESTON 2nd place PATRICK O’BRIEN  1st place NICK TYLER 1st place ANTHONY PEDROTTI 1st place MATTHEW BULGER 1st place CORY LAWSON 3rd place AMANDA […]

Studying the martial arts comes with a host of physical benefits, including an improvement in hand-eye coordination and the ability to react quickly in any situation. These benefits are part of the reason that learning a martial art is one of the best ways to master self-defense and learn how to protect yourself. Self-defense can […]

  On Saturday , July 21st Tai Kai Students competed in a Muay Thai Event , hosted by lace up Promotions. We had 2 fighters scheduled but our opponent for one of our fighters pulled out last minute, so we only had one student compete. Tyler Gilfus, from Tai Kai, was victorious in his Muay […]

Martial arts practice has many benefits, including some that may not be immediately apparent to a casual observer. While the physical benefits are obvious, there are mental and emotional benefits that might surprise you. Students who learn the martial arts may experience significant changes in the way they think, and that’s because martial arts training […]

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    We will be closed Tuesday for July 4th. The rest of the week will have regularly scheduled classes.

Starting this Saturday July 1st, there will be a new Muay Thai Class at 11AM. This will be replacing the 11AM fitness kickboxing class. We are excited for this new class

Welcome to Tai Kai Martial Arts, the premier destination for parents seeking to introduce their children to jiu-jitsu. Jiu-jitsu is not just a martial art; it’s a transformative experience that nurtures your child in various aspects of their life. In this post, we will explore the numerous benefits of jiu-jitsu for kids, specifically in developing […]

    On Saturday July 15 we are hosting a free BJJ seminar for LE at Tai Kai martial Arts in Liverpool, NY.  We will be focusing on tactics for LE including both standing and ground control tactics, that have been proven to increase a LE officers success rate when it comes to gaining control and […]

Come Try a FREE class. You Learn a Skill While Exercising The best time to begin your journey in training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is now. While Jiu Jitsu is not the first activity that many people consider when they look to start a new hobby, it’s probably the best decision that you could ever make. […]

Martial arts classes can be beneficial for people of any age. The reasons are that martial arts training provides a host of health benefits that encompass physical health, mental health, and emotional health. #1: Martial Arts Classes Build Muscle and Bone Strength Anyone can benefit  from activities that build muscle and bone strength. A loss […]

  On Saturday, May 27th in Saratoga Springs, a few Tai Kai students entered a Grappling Industries grappling tournament. Everyone did awesome, and we are proud of everyone. Congrats to Frank Parella, Andre Hatori, Greg O’Brien Peter Raymond-Smiedy Dean Gwadz Tyler Gilfus and Jake Gaulin.        

Tai Kai will be closed today for Memorial Day.

Self-defense is a priority for many women who are concerned about their personal safety. While there’s always the option of carrying self-defense weapons such as stun guns, pepper spray, or even a handgun, not everybody is comfortable wielding a weapon and some prefer an option that allows them to defend themselves by fighting. Martial arts […]

Blue Belt Requirements   Fundamentals Ukemi-Rolls & Falls   Rolls (Front/Back)                                          Falls (Back, Side, Front, Rolling)   Basic Movements/Positions   Base, Shrimp, Bridge, Bridge to Knees, Guard Replacement Roll (Granby Roll) Transitions: take the mount from side(basic and sit out), Knee on the Belly from side Mount control (swim, “spiderhands”, Modified mount, take the back, remount) Guard […]

  On Wednesday May 10th, in our 6PM Muay Thai class, we had 3 students test.  Megan Berner tested for her 4th level. Will Rattray and Jeff Murray tested for 5th level. Everyone passed and looked great. Big thank you to our instructors, Ajarn Kevin Seaman, Kru Chris Smith, and Kru Cory Lawson.

A Sport like BJJ demands a high degree of flexibility to perform a wide range of techniques, both defensive and offensive. And, if you are just starting then stretching can be very painful. Though, over time it does get easier, but you need to keep up with it. Regular stretching can lead to increase in […]

  The world is filled with feel-good stories about how people have transformed their bodies – and their lives – by starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). To anyone who has ever practiced BJJ before, this is unsurprising. Each BJJ class is packed with various techniques, exercises, and even some ‘live’ drilling and sparring. All of that […]

  On April 15th ,2023 at Sharkey’s in Liverpool, 3 Tai Kai Muay Thai students competed in Muay Thai fights. Greg Wakeman, Ben Rattray, and Tyler Gilfus all competed in Muay Thai competition. All the students looked great and made everyone at Tai Kai proud. We look forward to having more students compete in Muay […]

  Let’s begin again with a question – “what are your rules of good nutrition?” In other words, what types of things must you absolutely do to succeed – and what types of things must you avoid? Seriously, take a moment and think about it. What rules do you think you’ll need to follow if […]

  This is ALL TRUE   What to Expect as a BJJ Beginner Alright! you made the decision to change your life the minute you stepped on the mat congratulations your first few days made me a little overwhelming! Just like it was whenever you first learned how to ride a bike it was awkward. You fell […]

  Another great article from Kevin Seaman   We all have habits. We try to kick and break our bad ones, and form and reinforce those that are good. We have habitual ways of eating. Ever try to eat using your non-dominant hand? We have habitual ways of driving. Ever start driving to work on […]

Stress is something that everyone experiences sometimes. Adults have stress related to their jobs, finances, families, and more. Kids may experience stress related to school, grades, and social situations. While some stress is a normal part of life, there’s no denying that it can have a negative impact on our physical and mental health. Martial […]

  As you get older, it’s easy to find yourself in a rut. You go to work, you watch TV, and you go to bed. Some people avoid falling into such an unhealthy routine by working out at home, jogging, or going to a gym. The problem with doing these almost cliché exercises is that […]

  The discipline known as martial arts has spread at an incredible speed in the West since its introduction in the 20th century from its historic roots in East Asia. Martial arts can be classified as either armed combat (including fencing and archery) or unarmed combat (such as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and […]

  Congrats to Trevor Pastor and Dan Buckley on your Brown Belt Stripes:)

  Martial arts training provides a full-body workout for people of all ages, from toddlers to grandparents. Practicing martial arts helps to tone and strengthen the body. It also provides a host of mental and emotional benefits. Good martial arts instructors know that kids who attend martial arts schools will experience developmental milestones regularly. In […]

On one hand you have Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the most dominant grappling martial art.  On the other hand you have Muay Thai Kickboxing, the most dominant stand up martial art on Earth.  These 2 arts make up the majority of MMA (Mixed Martial Arts), so we are going to explore this and see which one is […]

\   When you sign up for a martial arts class, you’re doing more than working out or improving your physical and mental health. You’re becoming part of the martial arts family, a community of people who are brought together by a shared interest. Your martial arts journey isn’t only about your personal quest to […]

       It’s said that a picture is worth a thousand words. This one is really worth far more.      The elephant is tied with a piece of rope that it could easily break. It has been conditioned since he was young to think that he’s stuck and can’t get away… so he […]

  Good posture can do a lot to help people make a positive first impression when they meet others, whether they’re doing so at work or at a party. Your posture can make you look taller than you are and give you an air of authority and command. There are plenty of reasons to study […]

  A lack of sleep or poor sleep quality can have a negative impact on every area of our lives. Sleep gives our bodies and minds time to recover from the rigors of daily life. It’s essential for good mental and physical health. The link between physical activity and proper sleep is well-documented. What you […]

  Congrats to some New Tai-Kai Jiu-Jitsu students on their stripes. Brown Belt Pat Miller Purple Belt Jim Kearns John Sherbourne Blue Belt Ian Robinson

On January 15,2023 at Noon, Tai Kai hosted a Dean Lister seminar. The Seminar was simply awesome. Dean Went over all different kinds of entries with the straight foot lock and heel hook. He went over in great detail how to get there and finish these submissions. Everyone it attendance had a great time and […]

Your  New Years Resolution The New Year is here, and with it comes thousands of goals and resolutions in sight. 2023 is the year you should try something new! Martial Arts is an established system that can better the entirety of your being. Whether you need mental benefits or physical benefits like getting in shape, […]

  Martial arts training can start in early childhood. In fact, kids as young as fours years old can benefit from learning martial arts. But is there ever an age when someone is too old to study martial arts? The truth is that people can start martial arts training at any age. There are health […]

    Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is one of the most popular combat sports, growing in popularity across the globe with gyms opening on every corner. It has become well known mostly because of its participation in Mixed Martial Arts and promoting practical self-defense for any individual to learn. This is one of the many reasons BJJ […]

  Teaching kids about how to move through life, both as children and as adults, is an important goal for any adult who works with children. That includes parents, teachers, and coaches. One of the trickiest things to teach is conflict resolution. Kids of every age, from toddlers to teenagers, may struggle to develop conflict […]

  Tai Kai will be open its regular hours except for December 24th and 25th and also December 31 and January 1st.  We will be closed those 4 days only.

  www.tai-kai.com   Did You Know? You become what you think about MOST of the time. I have a favorite saying, “Your mind always moves in the direction of your dominant thoughts.” The result of this profound principle is… You get what you focus on. When you focus on your problems, your mind will be problem […]

  Congrats to Anthony Carella and Kyle Warford for their stripes earned Thursday 12/8/2022. Kyle was awarded his 2nd stripe on his purple belt. Anthony was awarded his 3rd stripe on his purple belt. Congrats to both of them. They are hardworking and it shows in class.

  Tai Kai will be hosting a Dean Lister Seminar on Sunday Jan 15,2023 12-3PM. Dean is an ADCC and grappling champion.  He is also a veteran of  the UFC, Pride, and King of the Cage.  He is Jocko Willink’s Jiu Jitsu instructor.   Early Bird Registration: $109 up to Dec12th Pre Registration: $139 Dec […]

  Congrats to Time Overend for earning his Brown Belt on 11/29/2022. He had to demonstrate 1 hour of technique  and then he grappled for an hour straight with no breaks. Congrats Tim

  Happy Thanksgiving. No regular classes today. There will be an open mat today at 10am(our annual Turkey Roll) Regular classes resume tomorrow Friday 11/25/2022

  Congrats to Will Rattray on competing in his first Muay Thai Fight.  The decision didn’t go our way but Will showed a lot of heart going in there to compete. Big thanks to Chris Smith and Cory Lawson for going down to corner him. We are proud of you Will.    

People of all ages take martial arts classes. Some may be looking for a way to defend themselves. Others may be seeking a fun class to help them get in shape or stay fit. If you’re an adult engaged in martial arts training–or thinking about starting–it may surprise you to know that taking a martial […]

  Congrats to Ben Peet on being promoted to Blue Belt on October 25th, 2022.  His Blue Belt test consisted of  demonstrating  specific techniques including: Self Defense, Takedowns, Submissions, Escapes, Guard Passes, Sweeps, and certain positions for about an hour. Then he grappled straight for 30 minutes with no rest time at all with fresh […]

There’s an indisputable link between fitness and nutrition. When you exercise, your body needs the proper nutrients to recuperate and repair your muscles. That’s just as true of martial arts training as it is of any other kind of exercise. Eating healthy is essential if you want to get in shape, lose weight, or progress […]

Congrats to Team Tai Kai. With only a few competitors we took 2nd place overall. Congrats to everyone that competed win or lose. Big thank you to Dennis Sugrue and Mike Mucitelli  for going to coach. GI ADULT -170 LBS 1stJAKE GAULIN 2nd WESLEY HENDRICKSON GI ADULT -185 LBSBracket 3rd NICK TYLER GI ADULT -200 […]

Here are collection of pictures from the 9/24/2022 Belt test. It was a memorable event. Everyone looked sharp and talented.

On Saturday September 24th at 12PM we had a purple/brown/black belt belt ceremony. The candidates had to demonstrate technique for an hour(self defense, sweeps, guard passes, submissions, takedowns, submission escapes and different positions). Nick Newcomb then had to do free style self defense for 10 minutes having people attack him and him having to react.  […]

It’s this Saturday at Noon. No regular Jiu Jitsu classes this Saturday. We will be having a Belt Test. Purple Beth Rowley Fred Isaacs Frank Parella   Brown Tim Overend Scott Fowler Justin Fowler Cory Lawson   Black Belt Nick Newcomb    

Congrats to 32 new Tai Kai Blue Belts.  They had their test/ceremony on Thursday September 8th, 2022 at 6:45 PM. They all did awesome. They had to demonstrate specific techniques including: Self Defense, Takedowns, Submissions, Escapes, Guard Passes, Sweeps, and certain positions for about an hour. Then  they grappled straight for 30 minutes with no […]

There will be no  Regular Classes today Labor Day 9/5/2022-Open Mat at 10 AM

  Mental health in youth is at a crisis level. Bullying, anxiety, depression, and suicide are on the rise. Reports show that 160,000 students are missing school EVERY DAY due to fear of being bullied. 85% of bullied children have no intervention and are forced to deal with the bullying by themselves. Martial arts have […]

  Come Try a FREE class. You Learn a Skill While Exercising The best time to begin your journey in training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is now. While Jiu Jitsu is not the first activity that many people consider when they look to start a new hobby, it’s probably the best decision that you could ever […]

Martial arts training is an effective way for people of all ages, from young children to seniors, to get in shape and lead a healthy lifestyle. While that might not surprise you, it may surprise you to learn that martial arts practice can lead to healthier habits in almost every area of life. Martial arts […]

  Learning a martial art is an effective way to improve your physical and mental health at any age. In a martial arts class, students exercise their bodies and minds, whether they’re engaged in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training or Mixed Martial Arts. While it probably won’t come as a surprise that martial arts practice can […]

What you say to yourself and others (the quality of your internal and external communication) has a lot to do with your representation of any given event. We have seen athletes lose, fail a shot, make an error or perform poorly, and talk about the event or beat themselves up for days. We’ve also had […]

The benefits of Muay Thai – If you are even mildly fitness conscious, then you definitely strive to be stronger. This, of course, means a healthier lifestyle, and there are many ways one can go about accomplishing this goal. Practicing martial arts is definitely one of the most effective ways to become stronger and be […]

  We have two upcoming Belt Tests. On Thursday 9/08/22 at 6:45PM we will be having a Blue Belt test.On Saturday 9/24/2022 , we will be having a Purple,Brown, and Black Belt Test. Below are the candidates. More names may be added.   Blue Belt Test 9/08/2022 Mehdi Aghalarov Nicolas Arcaro Avery Brooks Liam Bulger […]

  Here is the Tai-Kai Blue Belt requirements with explanations in a power point movie format on youtube. Thanks to Laura Vogelsang for putting it together.

  Happy 4th of July. There will be no regular classes today. OPEN MAT will be at 10AM.

  On Monday June 20th, Mike Fox and Zach Davis tested for 5th level/Purple Arm Band in Smiling Tiger Muay Thai at Tai-Kai. They both did awesome and passed easily. Ajarn Kevin Seaman, Kru Chris Smith, and Kru Cory Lawson were all there to officiate the test. Big Congrats to Everyone.

  You Learn a Skill While Exercising The best time to begin your journey in training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is now. While Jiu Jitsu is not the first activity that many people consider when they look to start a new hobby, it’s probably the best decision that you could ever make. Training Jiu Jitsu is […]

For many people, martial arts is an integral part of life. People practice martial arts as a sport, a hobby, an artistic expression or a regimen for physical, mental and emotional well-being. Skills learned in the study of martial arts can be applied in other aspects and relationships in life. Self-Defense Majority of those signing […]

Martial arts training is something that people of all ages and sizes can do. One of the most common questions we hear when people are signing up for our martial arts classes is this: Does size give people an advantage in a martial arts fight? Size does matter in the martial arts, but not necessarily […]

  We are Closed today in honor of Memorial Day. Open mat at 10 AM     Thank you to all of the men and women who have sacrificed for our freedom. We will remember!

There is a defined procedure to developing what we know as Mental Toughness. Here are four of many, of the mental qualities necessary to 
be the person you want to be. Each of the four qualities will support each other, strengthening your behavior and mindset synergistically. Emotional Flexibility- Going with what comes. This quality is the […]

  On one hand you have Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the most dominant grappling martial art.  On the other hand you have Muay Thai Kickboxing, the most dominant stand up martial art on Earth.  These 2 arts make up the majority of MMA (Mixed Martial Arts), so we are going to explore this and see which one […]

  Self Defense: Demonstrate 10-15 Gracie Self Defense Moves / Demonstrate Guard work against punches: Takedowns: Demonstrate 10 Takedowns (Should include shots and throws) / Demonstrate Proper Guard Pulling to sweeps: Escapes: Demonstrate 5 Mount Escapes: Demonstrate 4 Side Escapes Plus at least 1 way to escape Modified Scarfhold (under armpit) and Reverse Scarfhold: Demonstrate 3 […]

Brazilian jiu jitsu is more than just a sport. It’s more than a martial art. It’s a way to change your life. You hear a lot of people talk about the jiu jitsu lifestyle, but what does that mean? Does it mean you train all day? Does it mean you surf and then head to […]

Congrats to the new stripes this week at Tai-Kai   Brown Belt Sam Saba Pat Miller Dan Puma Josh Bennett Trevor Pastor Ben Siragusa   Purple Belt Anthony Carella Tim Overend Kyle Warford Bailey Sherbourne Rodrigo Clementino John Sherbourne Jim Kearns Kelly Woods Tim Woods Will Burnell   Blue Belt Mike Palmer Casey Washer Reinaldo […]

  Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is one of the most popular combat sports, growing in popularity across the globe with gyms opening on every corner. It has become well known mostly because of its participation in Mixed Martial Arts and promoting practical self-defense for any individual to learn. This is one of the many reasons BJJ is […]

  The world is filled with feel-good stories about how people have transformed their bodies – and their lives – by starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). To anyone who has ever practiced BJJ before, this is unsurprising. Each BJJ class is packed with various techniques, exercises, and even some ‘live’ drilling and sparring. All of that […]

If you have kids of different ages, then you know how challenging it can be to find things to do as a group. What excites your 10-year-old daughter is likely to bore your 7-year-old son – and vice versa. There’s one exception that we know of – and that’s taking martial arts classes! Studying the […]

  Martial arts classes can do a lot for your child. Children who study martial arts learn key skills that will help them throughout their lives. One of the most important things they learn is discipline. Discipline is a skill that can help kids face challenges that arise at any stage of life. Martial arts […]

Blue Belt Requirements   Fundamentals Ukemi-Rolls & Falls   Rolls (Front/Back)                                          Falls (Back, Side, Front, Rolling)   Basic Movements/Positions   Base, Shrimp, Bridge, Bridge to Knees, Guard Replacement Roll (Granby Roll) Transitions: take the mount from side(basic and sit out), Knee on the Belly from side Mount control (swim, “spiderhands”, Modified mount, take the back, remount) Guard […]

THESE TECHNIQUES WILL KNOCK YOUR MID-WORK EXCUSES OUT COLD! It’s a little strange to consider, but a centuries-old fighting system might be the best core workout out there! First, a little history lesson: Muay Thai is the national sport and a cultural martial art of Thailand. It originates several hundreds of years ago when used as a close-combat […]

  Start your child’s journey today   Allowing your children to practice Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is one of the greatest investments you will ever make. It will teach them countless valuable skills that will stick with them for life. Today I’d like to tell you about the top 6 skills that Jiu Jitsu teaches your […]

It’s not uncommon for prospective or new members to express concern about being too out-of-shape for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Occasionally they will even say they aren’t ready to join  BJJ yet, and would like to go to the gym and get in shape before joining. It may seem like holding off on starting BJJ until you […]

  The term “Martial Arts” is a relatively broad expression that encompasses a variety of different disciplines. Typically, when we hear the words martial arts, the first ideas that come to mind are one or more of the techniques that have developed in Asian countries. However, the martial arts are comprised of most types of […]

  very interesting READ In today’s world we are all burdened with stress from work, financial obligations, and family matters. When stress is high, cortisol, the stress hormone, rears its ugly head. This can trigger pathways that affect our emotional well-being as well as our ability to burn fat and build muscle. So what do […]

When it comes to youth sports, safety is a concern. Sports are a great way to teach your kids valuable lessons; how to make friends, be active, and stay healthy. Jiu-jitsu is one of the most fun, engaging and safe sports for children. Jiu-jitsu is a martial art, and martial arts offer many valuable lessons. […]

This is ALL TRUE   What to Expect as a BJJ Beginner Alright! you made the decision to change your life the minute you stepped on the mat congratulations your first few days made me a little overwhelming! Just like it was whenever you first learned how to ride a bike it was awkward. You fell off, […]

Another great article from Kevin Seaman   We all have habits. We try to kick and break our bad ones, and form and reinforce those that are good. We have habitual ways of eating. Ever try to eat using your non-dominant hand? We have habitual ways of driving. Ever start driving to work on your […]

  When your muscles are overworked and in need of some tender loving care, it’s not uncommon to seek comfort and healing in cold or hot treatments. In fact, for centuries doctors have been using extreme temperatures to ease pain and speed recovery. Which temp is best for your particular needs? Maybe both! Cold Case: […]

here is a popular saying in the fitness industry, “abs are made in the kitchen”. This applies to Muay Thai too and it’s not just about having the abs to show from Muay Thai training. Nutrition is key to achieving optimum performance in training and competition too. It is important to train hard but also […]

  On one hand you have Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the most dominant grappling martial art.  On the other hand you have Muay Thai Kickboxing, the most dominant stand up martial art on Earth.  These 2 arts make up the majority of MMA (Mixed Martial Arts), so we are going to explore this and see which one […]

Jiu Jitsu at Tai-Kai www.tai-kai.com