Chris Encarnacion Instructor Christopher Encarnacion grew up right across the river in Union City, NJ. Always being involved in a wide range of sports from a young age, it wasn't a surprise when he eventually started training in the martial arts. At 19 years old, Chris took his first class at the world famous Renzo Gracie Academy. Being a bodybuilding enthusiast it was easy to out muscle some of the other beginner students, but when it came to the more advanced students, it was easy to see the truth in Grandmaster Helio Gracie's statement : "Jiu Jitsu marks the triumph of human intelligence over brute strength". Renzo Gracie had established a fertile environment for technical growth, and expertise at his manhattan academy. One of Chris's role models at the academy became Professor John Danaher. His style of teaching helped Chris understand the underlying fundamental theories of Jiu Jitsu. Under the tutelage of Renzo and John, Chris started to instruct beginner classes at Renzo's Gym. Being good friends with Erik Owings, Chris saw a great opportunity to take his knowledge of Jiu Jitsu and start teaching classes here at Mushin.