Classes & Timetable

This is the core class at Southern Cross, with over 90% of our customers taking part. It is as close as possible to the nightly jiu-jitsu classes run at Andre's Nova União's headquarters in Rio.

The standard breakdown is:

This class is good for beginners as you will join in with the group for the first 30 to 45 minutes, then when the class commences to spar, you shall be taken aside and shown the basic positions.

During "Open Mat" time, members are encouraged to come in and review the technique that has been taught during the past week.

This is also an excellent opportunity for beginners to ask more senior members for help with specific areas.

For this class you may choose to practise any of the disciplines offered - BJJ, Submission or Muay Thai.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class for members graded to blue belt or higher.

Classes focus more on the transitions between positions, along with setups and combinations.

If you wish to join in this class, then you must be graded to at least blue belt; no exceptions.

This class is aimed for beginners, as we take the time to go through the basics of the main positions.

It is also suitable for any other, more advanced, students to refine their basics - remember, you can never drill the basics enough!

The class structure is about 30 to 45 minutes of technique, both standing and on the ground, and then 30 to 45 minutes of drills and live sparring.

Over a thousand years ago when the Thai warriors had settled in the land where there was 'fish in the water and rice in the fields'... when the clans were unified into a proud and independent nation, a manual of warfare, the 'Chupasart' was written.

The warriors taught the young men, but they trained from this remarkable manual without weapons. The shinbone became the staff of the pike to block and strike. The arms became the raised twin swords of defence. The fist, the jabbing tip of the spear. The elbow, the battle-axe to mash and crush; the knee to axe its way through the defences. The flashing foot a pike, arrow and knife. Each part of the body became a weapon and a new close combat fighting skill emerged.

A new martial art.....Muay Thai.

Much has changed since the early days. Muay Thai is no longer a close combat battlefield skill. Now it is a sport. But at its heart are the old traditions, and the original spirit lives on.

Gloves and shinpads are provided for your free trial period, but after that you must provide your own (can be purchased from us, or any reputable retailer).

Made popular through competitions such as the Abu Dhabi Combat Club World Championship, Submission Wrestling is a mixture of traditional freestyle wrestling, judo and jiu-jitsu.

Classes involve less jiu-jitsu technique being taught, as the emphasis is more on wrestling drills and control.

NOTE: YOU CANNOT ATTEND THIS CLASS UNTIL YOU HAVE ATTAINED 3 STRIPES ON YOUR WHITE BELT

Boxing classes are run by boxing coach Scott "Jock" Thomson.

The classes are a mix of solid techniques with some light sparring for advanced students.

Gloves are provided for your free trial period, but after that you must provide your own (can be purchased from us, or any reputable retailer).

In our children's BJJ classes we accept boys and girls aged between 10 and 14 years old.

These classes are more strict in regards to discipline and in between learning serious technique, we teach them jiu-jitsu with games.

As our coach has a long history of competing in Judo, since he was young, there is a good emphasis on throwing and break-falling.

At 15 years, we feel that they're mature enough to join in the Adults classes.

Judo is a popular compliment to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, as both arts can trace their lineage to the same Master - Jigoro Kano.

Due to the crossover in ground techniques between the two but different sporting focus, Judo classes almost exclusively consist of standing techniques and standing fighting (tachiwaza and Randori) as ground techniques are covered far more extensively in BJJ classes.

All skill levels are catered for.

Classes coached by Judo Black Belt Steve Clifford, and there are often up to four other Judo Black Belts on the mat assisting!