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Oct
14
People complain too much in jiu-jitsu. The art has grown so much that there are factions that have developed based on styles, what techniques should and shouldn’t be used, whether to go for points or submissions. There are all kinds of theories and ideologies when it comes to jiu-jitsu. The thing that bothers me is [...]
Oct
9
The Lotus Society
Filed Under Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory, Philosophy, and Technique | Leave a Comment
There was a time in Japan when the samurai were out of favor and the martial arts as well as the sword were looked down upon. Thousands of years of martial knowledge as well as sword making were on the verge of being wiped out. The arts and the swords survived thanks to a small [...]
Oct
8
Hip-Tossing “Rivals” and Self-Control
Filed Under Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory, Philosophy, and Technique | 1 Comment
. . . A student of mine, who is training to be a firefighter and currently works as a bouncer in a local bar, has had a couple of run-ins with guys from a “rival” gym (I use the word “rival” only because that gym dislikes us, and we are indifferent towards them). My student [...]
Oct
6
While I was researching chokes, I came across a judo website that talked about types of chokes. You know like carotid and windpipe chokes. I knew those already, but then I read this, (which talks about a third type of compression choke) “Compression of the chest and lungs preventing the opponent from inhaling (often used [...]
Oct
5
What? I’ve Been Choked?
Filed Under Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory, Philosophy, and Technique | 2 Comments
The choke is a very simple concept-stop blood and oxygen to the brain and cause unconsciousness. I learned recently that a part of the brain that is affected by a choke also controls short term memory. I never knew that. It isn’t anything to worry about. You do remember eventually (or at least I think [...]
Sep
29
The Function of Friction and Why I Wear a Gi
Filed Under Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory, Philosophy, and Technique | 5 Comments
Friction slows things down, and since I move more like a tortoise than a hare, I like things slow. No-gi is sweat and speed and being slippery and breathing heavy and squeezing peoples’ heads. Friction is lost through sweat. Gi is friction, it’s a mop, it’s a jacket of handles, it’s slow and methodical. It’s [...]
Sep
2
Jiu-jitsu is partially responsible for creating a “killer” nerd—at least one, probably thousands, but at least one that I know of. I know of him, because I trained him. Jordan, high school geek, sophomore and highly obnoxious starts taking jiu-jitsu from me. In the land of Geekdom Jordan was the supreme ruler. He still played [...]
Sep
1
Tough Guy/Smart Guy
Filed Under Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory, Philosophy, and Technique | Leave a Comment
. . . I have no doubt that guys in jiu-jitsu are tough—really tough. I’m not convinced, however, that everyone that does jiu-jitsu is smart. Don’t get your gi in a bunch. What I mean by that is sometimes jiu-jitsu guys don’t know when to quit. Here’s an example: Timmy and Tommy are training. Tommy [...]
Aug
24
. . . I was listening to an artist talking about an art gallery she was running, she was a painter and she said, ”I like painting, I don’t want to deal with the business end of things.” Uh, you’re running a business, you’re going to have to deal with the “business end of things.” [...]
Aug
23
. . . In life we don’t always have the luxury of liking—liking things, or people, or jobs, or projects, or situations. Liking things is a luxury. You don’t like your boss, too bad. You don’t like your mother-in-law, tough titty. Just because you don’t like something or someone, doesn’t mean they have no value, [...]
