“Do not pray for an easy life but the strength to endure a difficult one…” Those of us fortunate to spend enough time on this earth can recognize that life is about hardship and overcoming adversity whether we like it or not. Every day is a chance to develop our resistance to life circumstances soContinue reading “#258 Struggle of Life”
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#257 Evolution is the Only Guarantee
After years of practice and effort towards mastery. It is always rewarding to look back on how much positive change has occurred between you and your former self. As a Martial Artist, what more could one ask for than to be alive and fully present as your most improved version.
#256 The Greatest Instructor
In Jiu Jitsu, as in life, every practitioner will eventually face the inevitable. Injury. While it is only natural to want to retreat into isolation and “lick your wounds” these are one of the art’s greatest learning experiences that will ultimately define you as a Martial Artist. While the severity of the injury may preventContinue reading “#256 The Greatest Instructor”
#255 The Way
After watching some episodes of current Disney hit The Mandalorian, the phrase used by the Mandalorians “this is the way” stuck with me. In Martial Arts “do” or “tao” often describes the path or the way, this is evident in words/phrases like Bushido or the Tao of Jeet Kun Do. While “the path” is meantContinue reading “#255 The Way”
#254 Self Care
Oftentimes we tend to associate caring for ourselves with good feelings when in fact it can be far from it! Making good choices for ourselves is never easy, like eating healthy, exercising and being kind to others. While it is important to have some R&R and “treat yo self”, one must learn to come toContinue reading “#254 Self Care”
#252 Make BJJ Your Own
One of the most interesting things about Jiu Jitsu is the way that beyond the fundamentals one must know (front shoulder rolls, back shoulder rolls, break falls, hip escapes, etc) every individual must discover for themselves, their own unique style. As a thought experiment for a beginner practitioner, ask yourself what you want to beContinue reading “#252 Make BJJ Your Own”
#251 In Jiu Jitsu We Trust
As a Jiu Jitsu instructor, it is common to receive visits from combat athletes versed in other disciplines such as wrestling and judo. What almost never fails to occur during sparring, is an immediate attack from the Jiu Jitsu-newcomer with a great degree of power and strength. Against an intermediate level of Jiu Jitsu fundamentals,Continue reading “#251 In Jiu Jitsu We Trust”
250: Jiu Jitsu and Chess: A battle for inches.
It’s interesting to compare one of the oldest strategy games in chess, alongside a combat art like Jiu Jitsu which has a high demand for technical and strategic ability. Like Jiu Jitsu and many other combat arts, Chess shares some striking similarities. You will hear players use the same terminology in reference to a matchContinue reading “250: Jiu Jitsu and Chess: A battle for inches.”
#249 Keep BJJ Simple Stupid
As a young BJJ practitioner I often found myself drawn towards the many different techniques BJJ had to offer, whether it was berimbolos, de la riva guard, x guard, etc. I believe that as a lower belt it is important to leave no stone unturned when it comes to learning techniques. After all, you don’tContinue reading “#249 Keep BJJ Simple Stupid”
#248 Jiu Jitsu: Arte Suave
If you have been a Jiu Jitsu practitioner for sometime, you have like encountered the Portuguese phrase “Arte Suave” which translates to Gentle Art, a common colloquium for Jiu Jitsu or BJJ. It’s origin stems from Master Jigoro Kano’s principle of “gentleness controls strength” one of the most important tenants of Jiu Jitsu. Though strengthContinue reading “#248 Jiu Jitsu: Arte Suave”
The Jiu Jitsu Way 