"He who fears loss has already been beaten"
- Jigoro Kano
(Creator of Judo)
柔術
Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu offers a great way to improve your cardio fitness, your agility, and your coordination, while learning self defense strategies and control techniques found in no other sport.
And you don’t need to be built like Tarzan to be adept at it: all you need is determination, a willingness to learn , and the heart and mindset to make it yours.
空手
Karate
Sensei Shimamoto taught Alex hard-style, aka “fighting”, which underscores the importance of balance through using one’s entire body. Traditional kicking, punching, kata, and blocking will be emphasized, as well as sparring for students who are interested and ready.
柔道
Judo
Judo means “The Gentle Way”. Its philosophy includes maximum efficiency, minimum effort and mutual benefit and welfare to all.
Judo was developed from Japanese Jiu Jitsu by Dr. Kanō Jigorō. And from Judo stemmed Brazilian jujitsu, emulating the choking and arm-bar aspects, taught in judo at the higher levels. Judo is incredibly dynamic because of the standing element whereby a fight can be won by throwing or tripping the opponent directly to their back. Judo players (“judokas”) therefore are trained to become experts in safely and painlessly taking falls.
In 1946, Judo was the first martial art to become an Olympic sport. In 2000, tae kwon do was the next (and final) martial art that became an Olympic sport. The fact that judo has been an Olympic sport for so long evidences its international reputation and popularity. Judo is regulated so the belt and practice systems are consistent throughout the globe. Judoka from 55 nations from every continent except Antarctica have won Olympic medals.
Meet our Instructors
Ned Sands
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Sensei
Capt (06) US Navy (Ret)
Naval War College/National Defense University
BA UCLA
MPA USC
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt
Ned began studying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in April 2006 at Impact Jiu Jitsu Beaverton. As a student of Armand Debruge, he understands the importance of mastering the fundamentals. His classes include beginning techniques, takedowns, defenses, offensive set-ups, and competition strategies.
Alexander Greenfield, M.Ed.
Judo, Karate, Wrestling, Self-Defense, MMA
Alex has black belts in judo and karate, and is working on his purple belt in BJJ. He has been a teacher for over 30 years. He teaches at BYU-Idaho and for the Rigby public schools, as the Special Education Department Head at Farnsworth Middle School. He is pursuing his Doctorate in Educational Leadership. He is the founder of www.Rigbyfreesoccer.com.
Alex is the EQP for the Rexburg 2nd Ward. He portrayed Joseph of Egypt for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints' Life of Jesus Christ vides, including "The Nativity".
He was East Coast Judo champion (brown belt) and a rotating co-captain of a state championship wrestling team. He won his division in the 2021 Rigby Lake Triathlon. He has trained under Olympic coaches, international referees, and with multiple other Olympians, including Rhonda Rousey.
Ryan Christensen
Karate
Ryan Christenson has studied martial arts since 2004 and has black belts in Freestyle Karate, Goshin Karate and Superfoot System. In 2014 he began teaching Freestyle Karate at BYU Idaho and continues to teach both Goshin Karate and Freestyle Karate. He has trained under Bill “Superfoot” Wallace who was an undefeated middleweight kickboxing champion, movie star, and legend in the martial arts world. Ryan strives to help others develop good technique in karate.
In 2016 he received a BS in Recreation Management obtained from BYU Idaho. He has worked as a substitute teacher(Alaska, Arizona, and Idaho), carpenter, recreation park ranger, and security. He was raised in Alaska where he developed a passion for the outdoors. Ryan served an LDS mission in Los Angeles, California. He enjoys martial arts, dancing, rodeos and traveling.