Announcements

Women’s Self-Defense Seminar, April 12 at 11 AM – 2 PM

Olivia Huffman, a blue belt Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor at Total Defense Martial Arts, will be teaching a women’s self defense seminar. She will be going over grab defenses, hair grab defenses, and making base to create space.

Cost of the event is $20, with all proceeds benefiting the New Directions Center of Staunton.

Sign up at totaldefensema@gmail.com or at 708 D Street Staunton, VA. Open to ages 16 and up. If under 18, will need a parent’s consent. We will be taking 24 people for the event, so please sign up in advance!

Leigh Armentrout, an Independent Damsel Pro seller with Damsel In Defense products, will also be there with self-defense products for sale.

Facebook event page

2025 Class Schedule

Our 2025 class schedule is as follows:

Monday

Instructor Program Time (PM)
Olivia Huffman Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (ages 6-10)* 5:00–5:35
Olivia Huffman Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (ages 11-16)* 5:00–6:10
Anthony Castelonia Boxing 6:15–7:15
Matt Warner Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fundamentals (adult) 7:30-8:30

* This is a combined class. 5:35-6:10pm will be for rolling/sparring.

Tuesday

Instructor Program Time (PM)
Olivia Huffman Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (ages 6-10) 5:00–5:35
Brian Rose Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (ages 11-16) 5:40–6:30
Brian Rose Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu all belts (adult) 6:30–8:00

Wednesday

Instructor Program Time (PM)
Anthony Castelonia Boxing 6:15–7:15
Matt Warner Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu all belts (adult) 7:30–8:30

Thursday

Instructor Program Time (PM)
Olivia Huffman Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (ages 6-10) 5:00–5:35
Brian Rose Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (ages 11-16) 5:40–6:30
Brian Rose Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu advanced (adult) 6:30–8:00

Friday

CLOSED

Saturday

Program Time (AM)
Open mat: Boxing & Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (all belts & ages) 9:00–11:00

Sunday

CLOSED

Holiday Schedule

Please make a note of our holiday schedule:

  • Monday, Dec. 23: regular schedule (7:30pm: all belts adult BJJ)
  • Tuesday, Dec. 24 – Friday, Dec. 27: CLOSED
  • Saturday, Dec. 28 – Monday, Dec. 30: regular schedule (Dec. 30, 7:30pm: all belts adult BJJ)
  • Tuesday, Dec. 31: CLOSED

Also, on Saturday, Dec. 21 from 6–8:30pm*, we’re having our annual kids holiday party. Drop off your child for games and movies, and treat yourself to a night out (or last-minute shopping)!

*The party’s start time was previously announced as 5pm. That was an error. Please make a note of the correct start time of 6pm.

Belt Testing & Holiday Schedule

Reminder: On Nov. 21, we will have our blue and purple belts tests from 6:30-8:30 pm. Those testing can invite whoever they would like.

On Nov. 23, Dennis Hayes will teach a seminar at TDMA from 10:00-11:00 am. The seminar is open to TDMA students and affiliates. This will be followed by a brown belt test.

Finally, we will closed for Thanksgiving on Nov. 28.

See you on the mats!

Belt Promotions

Congratulations to the newest blue belts at Total Defense and our sister school Principal MMA: Chris Alexander, Kayleigh Southerly, and Alejandro Salinas. Also congratulations to everyone who received stripes on their belts. Your dedication to your art and your support of your teammates make this world a better place.

Character Stripe Program Starts for Younger Kids BJJ

New program focuses on developing positive leadership and character traits.

In addition to their regular ranking stripes, awarded to show progress between belt ranks, students in our younger kids (aged 6-10) BJJ class can now earn character stripes.

Character stripes are denoted by black tape on the lighter end of a belt, while ranking stripes are white tape on the black end of a belt. Each month, students and parents are asked to fill out and return a worksheet before the stripe is awarded.

Designed by Kristen DeBruycker of Gracie Charlottesville, the character stripe program issues four monthly challenges. May’s challenges included remembering emergency phone numbers and practicing honesty, while June’s included focusing on acts of kindness and cleanliness.

“My goal for the character stripe program is to set my students up for success outside of my classroom,” Coach Olivia Huffman said. “If I can help build their confidence by teaching them basic self-defense and leadership skills, I have done my job as a coach.”

Thank you to Olivia for spearheading this important initiative.

(Pictured: Students display their first character stripe.)