Blog | Connection Rio Jiu Jitsu Academy

Dennis is such a kind and approachable instructor with an immense wealth of knowledge. I know for me as a woman in a male dominated sport, this is important to me. The academy is always so welcoming and the members are supportive of one another- they really promote a familial vibe and atmosphere. I also love that Dennis is willing and able to cater to those who have injuries or limitations in their training ability. He also focuses on building a strong foundation and intentional instruction, that as a newer and often sporadic attendee, I always appreciate. He and Josarah have done an amazing job of building a training facility that caters to all levels and interests that feels genuinely inclusive. So glad they moved to Bend!

Dear Dennis,

I would like to take the opportunity to first of all thank you for all your efforts to turn me into a better fighter and person. I've never felt more supported by a coach. I value your knowledge and patience. I feel blessed for the chance to train in your gym. And even though I could have had better results in the last competition I will do my best for improvement next time.

Yours Truly,

Slade

I was very lucky to train here for a week while I was in town for a conference.

Although I haven't been training jiu jitsu long (18 Months) I have been to about 15 different gyms and schools. I'm also a teacher, and between my training time and my profession, feel qualified to say that Professor Asche's teaching is of excellent quality. 

First, he explains things in a way that makes them easy to understand. I noticed that everyone in his classes have a strong BJJ vocabulary, which means they've been understanding the  theory *and* the techniques.

Secondly, the class atmosphere is extremely respectful and kind. While BJJ is a combat sport, it can be taught in a way that is fun and provides a safe learning environment. Professor Asche's classes achieve this balance wonderfully.

Third, the classes are well-structured. There's a skill-specific warm-up that has nothing superfluous (like random ab exercises). Each movement is an actual grappling movement and gets you ready for class. After, there's instruction, drilling, instruction, drilling, and then positional sparring where you get to practice the moves of the day in a controlled manner. After positional sparring, there's open sparring. It follows the teaching principle of 'gradual release of responsibility' or 'I do, we do, you do' which appeals to me as an educator.

Fourth, the facilities are great. There are changing rooms, loaner gis, and Professor Asche has very good sanitary practices, which are important in grappling sports to prevent the spread of skin infections. It's probably the cleanest gym I've visited between the mat wipedowns after every session and the feet sanitizing tub.

Finally, Professor Asche himself is very kind. I felt very welcomed, and hope to come back soon. I can't say enough nice things about the people or the training. If you live in the area, train here.

TL;DR - great training with a great professor in a great facility. Train here, now.

I started training in Los Angeles (arguably the mecca of BJJ) under Renato Magno one of the best instructors around. This experience has provided me with a lot of insight as to what makes a great instructor and academy. 

Dennis Asche has provided the same level of instruction! Due to his guidance the academy is very challenging, technique oriented, combined with a friendly atmosphere. 

When I made my move back to Bend, Renato said "train with Dennis" and from that I did not need to look any further.

Bend is a very small town and we are fortunate to have this level of instruction.

I have been going to CRA (Connection Rio Academy) for almost 2 months now. I started by requesting information via their website. First thing the next morning I received a phone call from the head coach and owner Professor Dennis Asche. He was very welcoming on the phone and sounded very enthusiastic about getting me in there to try out a free class. Any questions I had he was happy to answer. I was able to fill out a waiver for me and my son online before even showing up for my first class. Before my first class had even started just about every member that showed up that night introduced themselves to me. EVERYONE was friendly and welcoming. Right away I knew this gym has a great culture. The class started on time and was very well structured (and still is). I noticed Professor Dennis had a clipboard with the lesson plan with him which I think is great. Really showed there is thorough planning being done for every class. He wasn't just winging it based on how he felt that day. At first it seemed a little faster paced than I was used to at previous Jiu-Jitsu gyms I have train at in Hawaii and here in Bend. But ALL questions were welcomed and encouraged which made it easier for me to get on the same page as the rest of the class for the warm ups. Same goes for the techniques taught during the class. If I didn't understand something is all I had to do was ask and Professor Dennis would break it down for me. Every class since then I still get the impression that he has a passion for teaching Jiu-Jitsu. He teaches Jiu-Jitsu in a way that teaches you the sport, the art, and the self defense perspectives. He truly wants his sutdents to learn Jiu-Jitsu and not just pay a membership fee.

After leaving the Marine Corps and my gym in Hawaii, I was having a hard time finding the brotherhood I once had. I found that here a [at] Connection Rio. I found my second family, my second home. It is more tha a team environment there. It truly is like a family here. It is a clean, safe, family friendly environment with very reasonable monthly membership fees. The kids class is awesome with appropriate level of discipline so the kids can learn but still have fun. They started offering Judo as well taught by Judo brown belt Sam Perry. He is a great instructor that really helps you understand the purpose and intent of the techniques and how to safely perform them. I look forward to every class. If you're on the fence about trying a class I say do it. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I suppose this is a good opportunity to thank Professor Dennis and his students for the great gym culture that has been established and maintained all of my experiences and interractions there. They have all been positive. It's true what they say here. They don't just train jiu jitsu, they live it. Hope to see you on the mats.

Mikey K.

Dennis is an amazing teacher and a great friend. His work ethic and training methods are something that helped build me into the person that I am today.

I wish I lived closer so that I could train regularly with Dennis.

I am down in Sunriver for an annual family vacation and wanted to do some training. I found Connection Rio Academy (about 15mi from Sunriver), emailed Professor Dennis, and he quickly replied, welcoming me to come visit!

My first impression of the academy was EXCELLENT. Everything was SUPER clean, well organized, and welcoming. This is huge for a visiting athlete. As a brown belt, I always feel like there's a target on my back (everyone wants to use upper belts as a litmus test to see where they stand) but I DID NOT get that impression at Connection Rio. All the grapplers were very friendly, easy going, and HELPFUL!

Ty, one of the assistant coaches, helped me and Steven (a purple belt visiting from the Bay Area) keep up on warm ups. Every gym has a slightly different set of warm ups, so Steve and I were a little lost, but again, Ty stepped up and made sure we were taken care of while Professor Dennis took care of the rest of the class -- EXCELLENT teamwork and coaching displayed there.

Definitely will keep in contact with Professor Dennis and stop by whenever I'm near Bend, OR. Can't say enough good things about my experience with the gym, the instructors, and the students.

Thank you again Professor for your hospitality and service to the BJJ community!

IG: ninjonsu

Training under black belt Professor Dennis Asche. Great classes for beginners or the more experienced, and for both women and men. Love this gym.

I am 1.5 years in on my journey into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu... I feel thankful and grateful to be apart of the culture that Professor Dennis Asche has created. 

This is an academy where; Respect, humility, the willingness of my fellow training partners to teach creates an excellent, safe and exciting environment to learn Jiu-Jitsu. This is a direct result of Dennis. You will also appreciate the 10+ years Dennis has spent in Brazil training and teaching. If YOU are on the path or thinking of starting, stop in and try this. This is more than a workout. You will push yourself harder than when inside of any gym and benefit from exposure to great teachers, like Dennis, while building lasting friendships. 

I have been training here for the past 6 months. 

-the instruction is top notch and presented in a manner that allows for easy learning.

-the classes are fast paced and give you a great workout.

-the people training here (instructors and fellow students) are interested in helping you be successful and are encouraging.

-even though I do not have kids - after having seen the class several times - I would recommend the kids program to anyone that has kids looking to get started in BJJ.

A great, friendly, professional place to get the workout of your life!

Connection Rio is the real deal. I don't know how they do it, everyone at this gym is super nice, down to earth and chill. No meatheads looking to hurt someone, and they're super patient with middle-aged moms and dads (aka me), and all the other white belt cannon fodder just learning the ropes. At the same time, the regular members are super intense and focused on mastering BJJ.

I had the pleasure of attending a very rigourous belt test for two new blue belts, and I cannot emphasize it enough, if you've been given a belt by Professor Asche, there can be no question if you really earned it. Perhaps the only way to have a more legit BJJ experience, is to hop in a time machine back to 1995, and train at a grade/gym in Torrance CA where the coach only speaks Portuguese. 

Connection Rio Bend Oregon Jiu-Jitsu Academy is an incredible gym to train jiu jitsu at in Bend, I simply love it here... Dennis Asche is an incredible instructor, and is terrific at teaching the art to beginners, advanced practitioners, kids, adults, men, women... anyone!

You should train here!