The Easton Academies hosted Renzo Gracie black belt Karel “Silver Fox” Pravec last month for a couple of excellent no-gi seminars. Professor Pravec visited Easton Training Center Boulder and Easton affiliate McMahon BJJ in Fort Collins to teach Brazilian Jiu Jitsu students the subtleties of no-gi guillotine chokes. A Jiu Jitsu practitioner since the early 1990s, he was one of the first group of students to join Renzo Gracie’s academy when it opened in New York. He received his black belt from Renzo in 2006, and since then has racked up an impressive list of competitive achievements, and runs his own academy in New York, Silver Fox BJJ. He has also written a book called Fluid BJJ: Scrawny, “Middle Aged” Guy’s Guide to Getting Submissions.
Professor Pravec came out to Colorado to teach these seminars at no charge to our academies, so all proceeds could be donated to Children’s Hospital Colorado. Between Boulder and Fort Collins, the seminars raised $1600 to donate to the hospital.
Here are some thoughts from Professor Finnie McMahon:

“Professor Pravek taught a great seminar.  His understanding of the guillotine is extensive, and his instruction was nuanced and technical. He also expressed his thoughts on the nature of sustainable Jiu-Jitsu.  His premise was that you want to be able to train BJJ for the rest of your life.  In order to do that, you have to let go of your ego and train in such a way that both you and your partner gain, and neither of you get hurt.  This is something I always try to preach to my students but it’s great to hear from someone like Professor Pravek, who has been around since BJJ first came to the states.  I was also really impressed by how selfless Professor Pravek was. We raised $1040.00 for the Children’s Hospital, and after the seminar I offered to cover his gas and food expenses since he was staying in Boulder, and he wouldn’t accept it.  Thanks again, my brother, for making the trip up to Fort Collins and putting on a great seminar!”