Henry Akins is third American to receive a Brazilian Jiu-jitsu black belt from legendary fighter Rickson Gracie. Akins trained under Rickson Gracie for 15 years. Akins became the head instructor or “Professor” at the Rickson Gracie Academy from 2005 to 2008 before resigning due to a back injury.
Akins has recently released an instructional website called Hidden Jiu-Jitsu where for the first time ever, he reveals the secret details that nobody outside of the Gracie family has been taught.
This has happened to almost everybody that has attended a BJJ seminar. You are shown 50 or so techniques over the span of a few hours or even a few days, and what happens afterterwards? You have forgotten almost everything and have not been able to incorporate much into your game…
In a recent interview with Redline Gracie Jiu-Jitsu academy, Rickson Gracie black belt Henry Akins talked about how he feels is the best way to get the most out of a Jiu-Jitsu and also how he likes to structure a seminar.
Henry Akins began training in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu in 1995 at the Rickson Gracie Academy. He was promoted to black belt by Rickson Gracie in 2004, being only the third American at the time to receive that honor.
Henry is the head Jiu-Jitsu instructor at Dynamix Martial Arts and is known for ultra technical Jiu-Jitsu and excellent instruction.
“Sometimes I’ll ask the instructor who’s hosting the seminar what they think their students would like. Sometimes they’ll say, “I’m not good in this area—so why don’t you show us how you do this”. There are a few things that I’m particularly good at, or my style differs from others, so they may want me to do that. I have a very heavy top game—known for a lot of pressure—for example, so that’s something I share.”
“My goal is not to teach new things, or a bunch of fancy moves.“But to show students how to do something they already know, only 10 times more efficiently or effectively.”
“Taking notes or writing something down afterward could be key for someone. But it’s most important to make sure that when you’re at the seminar, you’re giving 100% attention. And take the time to work on the technique. Some people are visiting with friends after just repeating a move a few times, but you can never practice a technique enough at a seminar. Every time you do it, you learn more and more. You develop a better feel for it.”
Henry Akins teaching some invisible Jiu-Jitsu:
