Chris that is too bad it sounds like you were linked in with a group going for the sporting side of BJJ only. Even if they had Royce in may be that his focus for that seminar was just the sporting side of BJJ. (he does that as well) However, if you train with an affiliated Gracie school from the Gracie Academy or Royce I know for a fact you will get the self-defense side taught of BJJ. This is pretty standard and I have good friends on each side and came from a Training Hall affiliated with them at that time. (now affiliated with Caique) As groups broke away from the Gracies though some began to more specialize in the sporting side only. (some started to specialize when they were affiliated) You can walk into a Brazilian Jiujitsu school and never learn any self-defense. This is true. Yet if they are affiliated with the Gracie Academy or Royce you are going to learn self-defense as Helio Gracie developed it. I know that has not changed yet......