Authored by Coach Baiana

As a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) coach with 13 years of experience and a rugby player for the past 2 years, I’ve experienced first-hand how naturally these two sports complement one another. While the rules and objectives differ, both demand body awareness, balance, timing, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. Above all, they reinforce one important lesson: technique beats strength.

Recently, we welcomed NTU Women’s Rugby and Wolves Rugby to Flowartes for a three-day cross-training workshop. The sessions were carefully curated to develop transferable grappling skills that could be applied to rugby contact situations. Through breakfalls, pummelling, penetration steps, and single- and double-leg takedowns, players learnt how to move efficiently, tackle with confidence, brace safely for impact, and land more safely.

From my own experience, BJJ has made me a more confident rugby player. It has helped with my tackling, timing, body positioning, and ability to stay composed during contact. These are skills that extend far beyond the mats and benefit athletes across many sports.

At Flowartes, we believe that cross-training develops more complete athletes. Whether it’s BJJ for contact skills or Capoeira for agility, coordination, balance, and flexibility, stepping outside your primary sport can unlock new ways to move, learn, and perform.

If you’re an individual looking to broaden your skills or a team searching for a unique pre-season training experience, we invite you to experience how cross-training can elevate your performance—on the mats, on the pitch, and beyond.

One Day or Day One?

At Checkmat Flowartes, we want you to know that you are capable and we are here to support your growth as a martial artist and as a person.

We came up with a format to kickstart your BJJ journey in a safe environment catered to your pace while nudging you to jump in and start rolling with the community. Before jumping into group sessions, one-on-one private sessions lay the groundwork for foundational movement patterns and understanding of the game. Sometimes, the basics can be tedious and might mean progressing a little slower at the start. However, we believe this is a small trade-off to longevity in your martial arts life and we have seen this with all our students who have come through our door.

Our objective with this starter pack is to give the absolute beginner a solid introduction and set you up for success for the rest of your BJJ journey, regardless of where you roll.

If “showing up is half the battle,” let us be your partner for the other half!

Foundation First

• Understand your body better while establishing fundamental psychomotor coordination skills
• Develop core movement patterns needed for any roll
• Perform basic Guard and Passing techniques
• Prepare yourself mentally to roll with others
• Familarise yourself with the IBJFF point system
• Gain an overview of the history of BJJ as a sport and Checkmat as a team

Our lineage

Flowartes Checkmat is proud to be an official Checkmat affiliate under Professor Leke, with supervision by Mestre Ricardo Vieira.

Our lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Rolls Gracie > Romero Cavalcanti > Ricardo Vieira > Alexsandro Machado

Personalised Approach

• Drills and coaching tailored to your existing capacity and needs
• Encouraging environment on and off the mat

Getting Started

OPTION A: Lock In – 2 Privates + 4 Class Pack – $300

OPTION B: Buddy Up – 2 Semi-Privates + 4 Class Pack each – $500

Note: 4 Class Package has a 1 month validity, commencing from day after the 2nd scheduled Private Session. Credits can be used for any class on the public schedule.

Interested? Get in touch.

This is old news for some of you but we’re still excited to make the official announcement that Baiana Santos is now regularly teaching BJJ at Flowartes.

Every Tuesday at 8:30 pm, Baiana brings her wealth of experience and competition insights to our mats, offering our students unmatched guidance and inspiration. She’s taken on a new challenge by transitioning into education, finding immense joy in teaching and inspiring young minds. Her journey in BJJ, coupled with her dedication to education, shows her commitment to continuous growth and learning.

With a passion for BJJ that began in 2012, Baiana has achieved remarkable success in the sport, winning prestigious competitions like the IBJJF European Championship, IBJJF Asian Championship, IBJJF Masters Asia Championship, IBJJF Tokyo Open, and IBJJF Seoul Open. Baiana is also a devoted mother of three and a firm believer that that motherhood should never be a barrier to pursuing one’s dreams. Her story is a testament to the incredible things you can achieve when you put your heart, mind, and effort into something.

See you on the mats as Baiana shares not just her technical skills but also the spirit, wisdom, she’s gained from years of dedication both on the mats and in life.