I dream of Jennie...

So, in class tonight Coach busts out "so this move makes me think of a Genie...you know, from I dream of Jeannie." Really? We get to practice a move that resembles a hot Genie from the 60's? Ummm.....my partners a dude and I can't really do that :) But seriously folks....it was a good one! We worked the kimura from guard, half guard and side control using a "genie" lockdown on the arm that not only prevents your opponent from getting the limb back, but also makes the technique MUCH tighter. Monday was a good night to by the way. Yes, I have been training...just not blogging. School is kicking my but - still. I do get karate and jiu jitsu training in though along with weights and spin in the morning. Good times....goooooooooooood times!

The great thing is that its only the middle of the week and my body is still holding up pretty good. My legs feel a bit crushed from the workout this morning but thats pretty normal. I can always be thankful that I'm not going through what Chelle has too....love you hun :) She only gets around 1400 calories a day. Are you kidding me!?! Hell, I have that before I'm done with my lunch each day! I'm pretty sure I would die if that was me. Just sayin...

so there I was...

I was once told that all good stories start out with "so, there I was..." Well, that and rednecks saying "Hey ya'll watch this!" right before they die. But I digress. Seriously though, there I was in jits tonight when Dev reminded that I promised him a roll way back like a month ago when I was actually coming to class consistently. I always love rolling with Dev because I consider him a lot better than me, which means I get pushed to the brink by him every time we're on the mat. True to form he was on his game again tonight. Now, it might sound like I've drank the Dev kool-aid and I'm looking to take him out on a date...but not so...well maybe :) Anyway, I tried playing my back game and he didn't think that was such a good idea, so he thumped me....using back control - WTF!?! You can't play MY game Dev! Just kidding :) It was awesome. He used my game perfectly and took my back sinking a great rear forearm choke with his gorilla arms! Awesome roll number 1 - check. As if my night wasn't complete with that beating, Coach asked me to roll and I paid for every single day I have not been on the mat and have been blaming it on DLI. Again, awesome :) He beat me like a rented mule and still (like always) smiled at the end. Awesome roll number 2 - check. Then came the break were I pulled my shattered body of the mat and licked my wounds for five minutes. Last roll was with Billy S. who is getting better by the day, has awesome mattitude (yes its a word...look it up!) and gives a cool vibe on the mat. We worked his mount defense and escapes for most of the roll.

It was a great welcome back to the class. I know it probably sounds weird to people that don't train but thats why hard training is so addictive. when you train with guys and gals that only have your best interests at heart you can leave your guts and pride on the mat knowing that you're better for it in the end. The hope is to one day return the favor...Dev ;-)

You only get just this one time around...

It was great to be back on the mat tonight. No matter what's going on in my life, good or bad, you just can't help but feel better after sweating your guts out in a no-gi class :) I remembered why it is so addicting tonight. Its not just the jits itself, its also the coach and the people you train with. In a good school the vibe is so up lifting (even when you're getting your backside handed to you) that you can't help but have a complete turn around in your attitude...or maybe its just me that it happens too :) Tonight also reminded me that we only get this one chance around this life and that we all need to enjoy it. No matter how stressed and over worked you feel you MUST take the time to train, spend time with family and enjoy your "muse"!

Tonight we worked two different knee ride transitions and then put them together by transitioning from side control - knee ride - knee ride opposite side - side control. After that we worked position sparring from guard in no-gi. Yeah, awesome for me...NOT! No-gi just never seems to be my gig, but thats why I like to practice it I guess. Whatever doesn't kill us only makes us stronger right! Right before we sparred coached showed two great Americana transitions from mount with a cross face on your opponent. Sparring went great tonight. I hit every roll and even managed to survive...but thats because I ran away before coach could get ahold of me - HA! At the end of class Coach busted out a new saying that I think is AWESOME!!!! So, without further adieu...here it is:

"You've got LeJits!"
- Daniel Thomas

What's your muse?

Lately, becuase of language training out here in Monterey, my schedule has been shall we say...a bit full :) Making it to jits once a week and training karate twice a week on top of going to the gym every morning is about all I can muster with close to 3 hours of homework every night. However, one thing I always, and I mean always, make time for is reading for enrichment and knowledge. Thats my muse. Thats the thing I do just for me. I train not only becuase I want to, but in truth, its needed for my job. Truly, reading is just for me. Its not fiction novels that I read either, its crazy things like biographies on leaders, historical writings like "the art of war", "the book of five rings" or "the spartans".

Whats the point of this post? Its just a question you should ask yourself. Outside of what you train, work or "do", what is your muse? What is it that you do that fulfills the creative and curious side of your soul? To develope the warrior soul shouldn't you be training your mind and soul ALONG with your body? It really doesn't matter what it is that you do for enrichment - trust me. Play music, sing, write, paint, read, cook, create...whatever! But if you're not doing something for your spirit outside of the martial things you do than I think you're cheating yourself out of true fulfillment. The most amazing teachers that I've ever had in my life were not just great becuase they were talented on the mat or in the ring, it was also becuase they had something in their personality that was creative off the mat.

I guess I don't know how to explain it well yet. That just means the journey continues for me :) I do know; however, that if all you do is eat, sleep and think about martial disciplines there is a giant whole in your soul that will cause you to burn out. Fill it with an appriopriate healthy muse. I promise that you'll love the results.

I think I'm going to vomit...

If I hear the "story" or the "fact" from a student of the martial arts of, or that, a 90lb anorexic either can or did beat up a 250lb bully I think I'm going to vomit - or loose my mind....or maybe both! Unless this behemoth stands still, doesn't fight back and has a glass jaw as fragile as thin crystal glass you're poor hero of the little people is getting crushed. Literally.

I can't stand to hear any person talk about how the martial arts can give super human abilities so that the invalid and extremely weak can beat up Goliath. My answer every time is "dude, seriously read the history of karate or jujitsu"...or whatever ever it is that they study. The old masters of karate, judo and jujitsu absolutely believed in physical training, strength and power in the martial arts. Have you ever seen pictures of these guys from the lat 19th and early 20th century? They were HUGE compared to the average Okinawan, Japanese or Korean BECAUSE they had tools for training strength and power as well as speed and technique. Why you might ask? They simply new the truth. You MUST have power behind your punches, kicks, throws, and whatever else you're trying to accomplish. Knowledge alone won't be the determine factor.

They trained their mind AND body for decades to be as strong and competent as they were. This fable retold by American martial artists (if I can even stomach to call them that) is just a justification for the "whimpifying" (yes I just made up a new word...what about it! :-) ) of training so that little Johnny doesn't either get his feelings hurt or a bruise in class. You want to be a warrior? Hit the damn gym for crying out loud! Don't "go" to karate, tae kwon do, jiu jitsu or whatever it is that you "do" twice a week between bowling or darts and then come home and sit on the couch expecting some miracle to occur in your body that will help you slay the giant. It doesn't work that way folks...sorry to burst your bubble. A warrior builds REAL ability through a lot of sweat, blood, vomit and bruises. Period. Take it or leave. You don't have to like the ending to this story, but don't go on deluding yourself that you're "just as combat effective as those guys in the ring" (and yes...thats a direct quote from someone).

Stay in your sport if you'd like. I think there are some really talented athletes (not warriors) there. But to hit the next level you've got to push your body, take some hits and bleed a little.

Be careful what you look for

I've taken to reading again. I know, I know...I don't know how to read :) Not true I tell you! I can read! Seriously though, I have dusted off a few books that I have and ordered a couple more. Right now I'm reading "Living the martial way" by Forrest Morgan, "Karate-do" by Gichin Funakoshi and "The book of five rings" by Miyamoto Musashi. Next on the list is "On the warriors path: Philosophy, Fighting and Martial Arts Mythology" by Daniele Bolelli and "Art of War" by Sun Tzu. Each one has offered real nuggets of wisdom that have really made me look at how and why I train. If you're not reading about what you do, and WHY you do it then you are wasting half of your training! I'm not talking about just reading karate, mma or jiu jistu "manuals" that catalog techniques. I'm talking about books that chronicle founders of what you do, philosophy behind things, and books that pick apart the commonly held beliefs of the martial arts.

Question why you do what you do. What you may find out is that the reasons you train are not the reasons that you thought you trained. That maybe there is a deeper need, or calling that draws you to the mat each day. When that happens, don't be surprised if the fire in your belly feels like it is going to burn its way it. Filling your knowledge tank will propel you just as far as practicing your techniques. They are not exclusive in training. You're success depends on both. I promise you.



Master Gichin Funakoshi, Founder of Shotokan Karate,
life long scholar and educator.