8 Aug 2010

Grappling, Martial Arts, jiu-jitsu

  • Posted by Utah Martial Arts Feeds

    • Homeless No Longer!

    This Article comes from Arcanum Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Blog
    To see the full original article click here

    Last month I was a man on a mission, driven by one motive: Find a new place to train.

    That mission has paid off. Starting August 11, Team Machado Utah (TMU) will be taking up residency at East West MMA in South Jordan.

    I’m completely stoked about this for three reasons:

    1. East West is about 12 minutes from my house and 3 minutes from my work – a huge time saver.
    2. I won’t have to leave my coach and join another school.
    3. I was the one who scouted out East West as a possible location for our team.

    My coach had several of options for the team, but he said if I found a good place in the south valley he’d consider it, no guarantees. That’s all I needed. I was so keen to train again, I spent several days combing the South Jordan / Riverton area for fitness centers, martial arts schools, even gymnastics centers…anything that had floor space to host a BJJ program.

    The least likely place I went was a local indoor rock climbing gym called Momentum (which is totally sweet, by the way). I thought we could train in their yoga studio. How cool would that be? Rock climbing in the morning, BJJ in the evening? Sounded like a pretty sweet setup to me.

    I eventually found East West MMA by Googling “South Jordan Martial Arts.” The website was honestly a little questionable – in my opinion a bit hokey – but it said they teach BJJ there. I read a good review at the <a href="http://www.utahmartialart.com/2009/07/training-at-east-west-mma/" Utah Martial Art blog (although I think the location was different in the review). The school is located in a new business cluster very close to where I work, so at lunch I went and visited with Bryce, the owner.

    I was pleased to find that Bryce trains in BJJ and that he had a very reputable BJJ black belt teaching there. A great start.

    He liked the idea of adding the team to East West, so I put him on contact with Dave. Apparently Dave liked the idea, too.. enough to choose it out of several other options in the area.

    Here’s hoping it will be a good fit. There is already a no-gi program there, and Dave emphasizes gi training. It will be an interesting experience to see how the dynamics of merging a new team in with an existing school work out. Hopefully we have a bunch of cool guys that will be excited to learn from each other and expand their training platform.

    All in all, I’m glad to be able to stay with my current coach. I did go check out some other schools just in case, and I can’t say enough about the quality of BJJ programs available in the Salt Lake valley. I had a great impression of two schools in particular: Absolute MMA and Unified BJJ. Really excellent schools. But the truth is I didn’t want to leave my team and coach if at all possible. I feel like I have a solid foundation and could do well at another place, but I really enjoy Dave’s coaching style and have some good friends on the team. There’s no reason for me to change.

    I’ll keep you posted about my experiences in moving to a new academy. In the mean time, it’s good to have a home.

    © SkinnyD for Arcanum BJJ, 2010. |
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    7 Aug 2010

    Grappling, MMA, Martial Arts

  • Posted by Utah Martial Arts Feeds

    • Chael Sonnen vs Anderson Silva Fight in Five Pictures

    This Article comes from SLC MMA
    To see the full original article click here

    sonnen punches silva

    sonnen ground and pound

    Chael Sonnen takes down Anderson executes ground and pound for four and a half rounds.

    slapping on the triangle

    silva locking on the triangle

    In the twilight of the fight, Anderson Silva whips out a triangle choke and locks it on.

    anderson silva

    Anderson Silva endures press conference and contemplates fu-manchu mustaches.

    The end.

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    5 Aug 2010

    Grappling, Martial Arts, jiu-jitsu

  • Posted by Utah Martial Arts Feeds

    • A Final Look: Five Ways P90X Will Benefit Your BJJ

    This Article comes from Arcanum Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Blog
    To see the full original article click here

    Now That I’m a Graduate…
    Several months ago, I wrote a post evaluating P90X and the benefits it offers Brazilian jiu-jitsu players. You can read the post here.

    Back then, my conclusion was that P90X was an excellent way to get in shape and build endurance, and therefore intrinsically beneficial to BJJ…just as it would be beneficial to any other sport (or martial art). However, serious BJJ competitors and coaches would probably want to focus on sport-specific routines over P90X if it came down to the wire.

    Well, I’ve since completed the P90X training. That’s right folks, for a while there I actually had a six-pack! Actually, it’s been two months since I finished, so I’ve had plenty of time to form my opinion. Which I did while washing away my six-pack with a twelve-pack of coca-cola vanilla.

    In retrospect, P90X deserves more credit than I originally gave it. I do not think it is the be-all end-all of all crossover training regimes, and time being a factor I STILL think that sport-specific exercises would offer more focused results; but as a solo routine that can help you to tone and solidify your body and increase endurance and stamina, I’d give it a 9 out of 10. (Please note that I am not a personal trainer so this is not a professional opinion.)

    As a program you can do in your own home and without a partner, P90X offers a challenging, goal-oriented system to building strength, endurance, balance and coordination. All are important attributes in the world of grappling. Finish it, and you’ll be in some of the best shape of your life. Finish it prior to a competition training camp, and you’ll be noticeably ahead of your teammates when it comes to physical conditioning.

    Five Benefits P90X Can Offer BJJ Players

    I have tried to break down the reasons I think P90X can be a valuable asset to BJJ practitioners. There are definitely other great training programs out there so don’t take this as an exclusive endorsement, but here’s what I observed:

    1. P90X makes heavy use of body weight exercises that develop balance, strength and explosiveness. BJJ is based on balance, leverage and coordination, so body weight exercises are always a good way to go.
    2. P90X is a home-based training program. That makes it a great solution to the “how can I train by myself” question that us BJJ addicts are always asking. Sure, you’re not directly working on improving your mount, but you are developing your body into a more reliable tool for those times when you are training with a partner.
    3. The routines in P90X are varied and adaptable. Don’t want to bulk up and look like Arnold? Rather focus on agility, flexibility and lean muscle mass? No problem! Not only are there multiple fitness pathways offered, the P90X system includes yoga, plyometrics and stretching. And trust me, these routines are no walk in the park – I’d venture to say the Yoga routine was one of the most difficult in the entire program. Yoga’s crossover application to BJJ was recently a topic of a Fightworks Podcast article and episode. Plyometrics helps with explosiveness and agility, and the stretching exercises can help those struggling with triangles or rubber-guard. You could even adapt P90X to be more BJJ-specific by swapping out the Kenpo X day with a day of Ginastica Natural (I considered doing this but never got around to buying a G.N. DVD).
    4. It’s all about mental toughness and self-control. P90X allows you to push yourself beyond what you thought possible. Pushing yourself through the end of the 1-hour routine is much, much more difficult than any single technique. Even after week 8, when I started feeling comfortable and a little complacent, I found that by adapting and improving my form and increasing my goals I was able to once again challenge myself beyond my perceived capabilities. In BJJ, the mental toughness is crucial when you are exhausted in the middle of a match and feel that you just can’t give any more. P90X teaches you that you can extend beyond your comfort level.

      5. (…)
      Finish reading A Final Look: Five Ways P90X Will Benefit Your BJJ.

      © SkinnyD for Arcanum BJJ, 2010. |
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    3 Aug 2010

    Grappling, Judo, Martial Arts

  • Posted by Utah Martial Arts Feeds

    • Heart vs. Skills

    This Article comes from Utah Judo
    To see the full original article click here

    My son and I competed in a Grappling tournament last weekend.  It was more like Jiu Jitsu than anything else.  We both did Gi and no-Gi divisions.

    After the tournament I started really doing some soul searching on why I didn’t do better…  It reminded me of a scene from the movie Apocalypto.  Our hero attempts to defeat the handsome gentleman pictured here.  It doesn’t go so well.  In the picture, the victor is making the statement, “Almost,” (because the hero almost won,) “Your name is Almost.”  In the movie, “Almost” is translated into the word “Olac.”

    Well, If I had to choose a fight name right now, Ifeel like I’d have to go with Olac.  Why is it that I never seem to finish the job??

    I sat down and reviewed the videos of my fights.  The are a couple of the fights where I was just out done.  I did what I could, fought hard, but still lost.  I found that these didn’t bother me.

    But half of my fights, I seem to tap when I really don’t look like I should.  In those cases, I feel that in a lower stress environment, like just in class rolling around, I could probably take these guys.  But on the mat in a competition these guys are beating me.  Why am I so quick to tap?

    I had to painfully admit that they just wanted to win more than I did.

    That didn’t taste very good.

    But it has given me something to think on.  I always think about what move or position to improve on.  But this is a mental thing.  It’s different than technique.  What I really need is to grab someone better than me, and have them push me into ugly territory.  I need to keep from tapping so soon.  I need to sit, trapped in a position for a while, with no hope of escape; and be okay with that.  I need to hold longer, and fight harder.

    This is an element of training that I think can be easy to overlook.  We are so used to tapping as soon as a good hold gets put on, with a brotherly, “nice job.”  But when do we work to fight that extra little bit to not tap.

    Well, for me at least it appears that the answer is: Not often enough.

    So, I begin my journey toward no longer being Olac.

    Wish me luck :)

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    3 Aug 2010

    Grappling, MMA, Martial Arts

  • Posted by Utah Martial Arts Feeds

    • The Next Generation of MMA Fighters

    This Article comes from SLC MMA
    To see the full original article click here

    DSCN0893

    My daughter Fiona (four days old) preparing to throw a right hook. 

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    31 Jul 2010

    Grappling, MMA, Martial Arts

  • Posted by Utah Martial Arts Feeds

    • Traditional Martial Arts versus Mixed Martial Arts: Old School and New School

    This Article comes from SLC MMA
    To see the full original article click here

     

    kung fu sword 

     the jab

    It pretty common that somebody asks me which martial art is best. The next most common thing is somebody essentially telling me which martial art is best, usually by attempting to illuminate me about a particular system’s shortcomings (“Your eastern tiger style is nothing compared to my crane form!”). Yes, I do know that kickboxing doesn’t teach about ground and pound, and trouble will ensue once a double leg occurs.

    In particular, I’ve been musing over the debate between Mixed Martial Arts and Traditional Martial Arts. Old vs New, in all its arguable glory.

     

    Men in black

     

    A lot of movies play off this riff; an old grizzled veteran gets paired up with a new spunky greenhorn.  The new kid on the block is bothered by the old-school methods, the senior complains about novice’s know it all attitude.  Humor ensues. Above, Will Smith from Men In Black II explains it:

    Agent J: No, what you remember is that you used to drive that old busted jaunt. See, I drive the new hotness.

    [Points at K]

    Agent J: Old and busted.

    [Points at himself]

    Agent  J: New hotness.

     

    This is the party line, of sorts, of MMA:  Traditional martial arts are old and busted, and mixed martial arts is the new king.  The reality is that both sides of the TMA vs MMA debate have valid arguments.  Debate club was never my thing, so I’ll do a play by play with something I do understand … pictures. In my head, I see two followers of their respective path, duking it out with words.

    Imaginary Argument

     

    TMA: We’ve got thousands of years of experience and heritage; developed training methods and systems beyond the purview of the cult of the current.

    Sosai_in_seiza.16720229_std specialwater 

    wing-chun-wooden-dummy-lgadult_kata_lrg

    MMA: Pretty awesome vocab, old man. There isn’t a reason to cling to the past. We’re on the cutting edge of training.

    bj penn underwater training

    lance kettlebell swings

    TMA:  You know that a lot of your stuff comes right from our stuff right?

    Machida reverse punch folk wrestling and the clinch

    MMA: Anything you can do we can do better.

    boxing punches double leg takedown

    TMA: MMA does not teach the realities of street self defense.

     beach training groin kick self defense

    wrist lock self defense Knife Defense

    MMA: Neither do you.

    jumping superman attack

     the foot fist way

    MMA: Besides, think of your “live” training methods. Too many rules, doesn’t actually simulate combat. Up over here, no rules, no holds barred.

    kumate jumping spinning hook kick

    TMA: No rules?  No respect either.

    elbow the skull Brock Lesnar sas talk Frank Mir 

     Strikeforce-Brawlfrank trigg flips off

    TMA: We cultivate respect, honor and discipline.

    respect PLinden

    MMA: We cultivate fist to face.

    blood in the octagon mit work

    TMA: We develop ourselves mentally and spiritually.

    Choi meditate Muay thai

    MMA: We have a different form of spirituality.

    eddie-bravo-high

    MMA: Plus, we don’t wear skirts.

    man-hakama

    TMA: *cough* … *cough*

    mud wrestling gay mma

    TMA: Plus, we use swords.

    last samuria 

    weapons play

    MMA:  We have bling.

    silver-star-mma-apparel-rashad-evans1

    TMA: We have Chuck Norris.

    chuck_norris

    MMA: You have Jean Claude Van Damme

    Kickboxer-JCVD_MichelQissi3_3b2893896a12f4268d0d562683c75210

    TMA: Our senior citizens are hardcore.

    taekwondo-tkd-duksungs 

    helio-gracie-jiu-jitsu-vale-tudo 

    MMA: We’re getting there.

    RandyCouture

    MMA: We have epic stare-downs.

    stare down guida_sanchez stare down SilvaJacksonStaredown.h2

    TMA: Touché.

    The Real Deal

     

    I’ve said this before about Aikido – we should be careful to attribute things to a system that it may not even claim about itself.  People choose different hobbies for specific reasons. If I wanted a hobby that helped me age gracefully, boxing and MMA would probably not make it to my short list.  If I wanted something for my kids to help them with confidence, respect, and socialization free from competition, then I’d pick accordingly. It’s not like people can’t figure it out when they really think about it.

    My beef is that the “Who’s top dog?!” game can turn ultra-juvenile. MMA is marketed with its heavy metal, we can kick anybodies ass, Tapout bikini babes themes – which can bring out the utter douche bag in us all. (When I wear my ONE Tapout shirt I increase my submissions percentage and elite jerk skillz by at least 10%. ) On the other side of the coin, a number of TMAs are insulating themselves into a fantasy world, becoming so insecure that they take moralist high-roads and choose not to evolve.

    When a particular camp, school, or niche disparages another, it tells you something about that group. Their complaint may be 100% valid, but the way people bring issues up is very illustrative. Take a moment and ask yourself why the critic needs to say what they’re saying.  Chances are, their communication is all about validating themselves and nothing about adding value to your life.

    One other thing: MMA is a sport. When you define the rules of a game, you set its limits. In many respects, a lot of traditional martial arts are now sports too, with their own peculiar rules.  When it comes the elusive “realities of the street”, I can tell you that one martial discipline is top dog. It’s called gun play.

    I came from a traditional martial art background, and I think there is a lot of value to it. In my training now, I focus on no-gi jujitsu and MMA, because that’s what I like, what appeals to me. This isn’t a time-life made for TV movie, but I think that there is a lot for each camp to learn from each other.

    I’ve jokingly laid out some points of discussion, but what’s your take? I’d love to know about your experience and opinions.

     

     

     

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    27 Jul 2010

    Martial Arts, Merpati Putih

  • Posted by Steve Spencer

    • What IS Merpati Putih?

    We always strive to bring visibility to all the martial arts, their diversity, differences, and commonality.  Today we have an article submitted by Nate Zeleznick, President of MP USA, Inc. about his art, and how he teaches it here in Utah:

    MP is the Indonesian Royal Family’s secret method of Energy Awareness and Personal Protection. MP was developed in the 1550’s and passed down through the generations from Sultan Prabu Amangkurat of the Mataram Kingdom to his Heirs. For over 400 years MP was rarely if ever seen by anyone outside of the Sultan’s Palace (called the Kraton) in Yogkyakarta, Central Java.

    In 1963, Indonesia was literally ablaze with riots and civil unrest against the government. Already into the struggle for several years, hate and violence were constantly erupting in the streets and boiling over onto the innocent. Over 500,000 people were killed in less than 6 months and at that time the 10th Generation Heir to the MP knowledge, Raden Saring Hadipoernomo and his 11th generation heirs, known as Mas Poeng and Mas Budi (the great teachers of MP) decided that it was time to release their family secrets for the benefit of all of their people.

    Now every Indonesian could learn to heal and defend themselves while at the same time becoming more loving, peaceful and spiritually aware. Today over 1,000,000 Indonesian people have studied and benefited from the MP method with over 100,000 active members. MP is also available as standard training for almost every branch of the Indonesian military including Air Force, Army Special Forces, Commando Paratroopers, S.W.A.T. Teams and Presidential Secret Service.  Merpati Putih is also an outstanding member of the Indonesian (I.P.S.I.) and World (PERSILAT) Pencak Silat Federations as well as the Martial Arts Federation for World Peace (M.A.F.W.P).  All of this notwithstanding, the Merpati Putih organization had never allowed non-Indonesians to train…until 1999.

    Nate and Mike Zeleznick are the first Americans ever granted permission to be formally trained in MP.  They began in late 1999, guided under the expert instruction of Dr. Heru Hendarto, an ear/nose/throat surgeon and senior member of MP.  Dr. Heru is a former MP trainer of the Indonesian Special Forces and the only qualified instructor within 2,000 miles of Ogden.  As luck/fate would have it, he just happened to live about 50 miles away in Salt Lake City while pursuing his Masters degree in speech language pathology at the University of Utah.

    In Early October of 2000, Mas Poeng and Mas Budi (the Great Teachers of MP) and Suprapto Purwidjayanto, known as Mas Tok (the Chairman of MP) personally tested and promoted Nathan and Mike to the Junior Instructor level and inaugurated the first ever American school of MP.  Since opening in January 2001, MP USA has grown and prospered.  Senior Instructors from Indonesia have visited MP USA to enhance curriculum, train students and maintain the highest quality in MP USA’s teachings.

    In May of 2005, Nate and Mike made the Journey to Java, Indonesia for a full month to test, demonstrate and study.  During this trip they were again officially tested by Mas Poeng, all the Master Teachers (Dewan Guru), and the entire Master Council of MP in Parang Kusumo near Yogkyakarta in central Java, the historic birthplace of MP. They passed all tests and initiations and were Certified as Senior Instructors of Merpati Putih Martial Arts and Kebugaran Wealth of Health Programs.  One week into their trip they were joined by their 11 person MP ‘Indonesia-Bound’ demonstration team and during the following week were able to demonstrate first at the PERSILAT World Grand Final held at the Padepokan IPSI in Jakarta, then the National Air Force Base in Yogyakarta, and finally in Padepokan MP in Bali. During their stay in Yogya, all 11 demo team members passed an official MP initiation and were inaugurated as true members of MP Indonesia.

    In February 2007 Mike, Nate and a team comprised of the senior-most MP USA instructors journeyed to Indonesia once again for Testing and attendance of MP TRADISI (Annual Traditional Festival).  Videos and photos may be seen at MP USA,’s website http://mp-usa.org It was an amazing and honorable adventure for all and much knowledge was gained that has been brought back to further enhance the training of students in America.

    The Merpati Putih Creed

    “Mersudi Patitising Tindak Pusakane Titising Hening”

    “To Seek & To Find That Which Is Right, Doing In Silence”.

    The MP creed means that MP members should do what is right for the benefit of everyone involved with a pure heart and a silent mind. As each person’s life, situation and beliefs are unique, MP is the perfect system for anyone who seeks to learn more about themselves, what they are really capable of and how they can help others without impinging on one’s personal life perspectives.  Improving ones self, serving others, carrying love in one’s heart and doing so with a mind that is uncluttered and unlimited by self doubt, preconceived notions and prejudices so that life can be lived moment-to-moment, and every moment enjoyed to it’s fullest.  This is the cornerstone of everything Merpati Putih.

    What truly makes MP special is the unique ability to quickly build and Harness large amounts of Inner Power or Tenaga Dalam -(also called Chi, Ki, Prana, Subtle Energy, or Bio Energy)…  Using a very specific method of exercising with special breathing techniques and meditation, MP practitioners can feel this energy within themselves and use it to improve their lives very soon after beginning.  Many systems focus on building energy, but the speed in which MP changes lives and perception is what truly sets it apart from other methods.

    MP teaches people how to use their inner power for many different benefits including :

    (1)-Self Healing and Rebalancing Chronic Aches, Pains, & Illnesses from within (i.e. Asthma, Chronic Fatigue, Back & Neck Pain, Joint Pain).

    (2)-Massively Increasing Health and Energy including Strength, Flexibility & Stamina as well as lowering Blood Pressure & Cholesterol,

    (3)-Releasing Stress and Developing Razor Sharp Mental Focus & Concentration,

    (4)-Mind over matter such as Protecting ones own body from injury or even stimulating healing in others.

    (6)-Extremely effective Self Defense for Men, Women and Children of all ages

    MP USA offers:

    For Adults (15 to 70+)

    -      Martial arts/energy control classes for adults (15 to 70+)

    -      Low-impact health and fitness/energy control classes

    -      Meditation and stress relief, self healing and mind-body-spirit development

    -      Weight-loss and body transformation

    -      Women’s self defense and assault prevention workshops

    For Children (5-14)

    -      Evening martial arts classes

    -      Character development and leadership training

    -      Goal setting and achieving

    -      Self confidence and esteem building

    -      Physical fitness and life saving skills

    MP USA is:

    -      Utah’s only BBB-accredited martial arts school (A+ rating since 2002)

    -      Registered with Dunn & Bradstreet

    -      The North and South American Representative for PERSILAT (World Pencak Silat Federation)

    -       America’s only academy of the secret system of Indonesia’s Royalty

    -      The ultimate destination for martial arts and energy work, meditation, rejuvenation and seniors health and fitness, as well as youth programs, bully prevention and fun!

    -      Utah’s most affordable full-time martial arts school

    To find out more, visit the MP USA website at http://mp-usa.org or call (801) 391-1638 and ask for Mike.


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    27 Jul 2010

    Grappling, Martial Arts, jiu-jitsu

  • Posted by Utah Martial Arts Feeds

    • Why Some People Hate Brazilian Jiu-jitsu

    This Article comes from Arcanum Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Blog
    To see the full original article click here

    Visiting martial arts forums for me is like eating junk food. I feel awful after I eat it, but every now and then it’s just irresistible; especially when searching for such self-indulgent topics like “BJJ in a streetfight” or “BJJ vs. Kung-fu”.

    Searches like that are evidence that the little attention-seeking kid inside me is still there. Despite the adult me knowing that all arts have their strengths and weaknesses, the kid part of me wants the selfish sense of assurance that comes from hearing someone else say that BJJ is the best even though I think it’s a silly argument (for just how silly, see the video at the end of this blog entry).

    Here’s the thing, though. There are a lot of people out there who literally hate BJJ for that exact reason: they’re tired of the BJJ hype and skeptical of anyone on the bandwagon. And they’re especially tired of cocky BJJ practitioners who look down their nose at every other style.

    That’s actually understandable. No matter what the topic, one arrogant, self-assured, opinionated jerkface is all it takes to turn a potential recruit into a bitter opponent. BJJ could be the way to world peace and complete inner happiness (seriously!), but if we tell people they’re stupid for liking tai-chi instead then serve them jiu-jitsu in a crap sandwich, they’re not going to want it.

    I fear that has happened all too often, especially with online forums. We all know how easy it is to read intent into a comment made online and assume the worst as a result. Not only that, it’s all too easy to get personal and be insulting when you’re an anonymous voice commenting from a distance.

    The truth is, BJJ really is awesome, and that’s the sad thing about it. My general impression is that people who really dislike BJJ do so because of a bad run-in with a BJJ practitioner. Consequently, they do not give BJJ the credence it deserves and tend to downplay and grossly underestimate it’s effectiveness, because they have never experienced it.
    (…)
    Finish reading Why Some People Hate Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.

    © SkinnyD for Arcanum BJJ, 2010. |
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    26 Jul 2010

    Grappling, Martial Arts, jiu-jitsu

  • Posted by Utah Martial Arts Feeds

    • Fatal Attraction

    This Article comes from Arcanum Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Blog
    To see the full original article click here

    I may be sleeping on the couch for a while.

    Apparently, a preoccupation with jiu-jitsu when I do not have a training outlet is hazardous to other people’s health.

    Let me explain.

    Last night, my wife and I found ourselves seated in a stadium waiting for a political rally to start. As the show commenced, we became very uncomfortable with the manipulative and aggressive atmosphere we felt there. We were about to pick up and leave when we were approached by a large man who looked like a WWF version of Joe Pesci. Apparently he was offended that we did not like what we were hearing and seeing. This man became very aggressive as he tried to force me to participate in this rally for a cause I clearly did not support. Our discussion of 2nd amendment rights became rather heated, until he walked up to me with the clear intent of intimidating me into submission.

    He didn’t get a chance.

    As soon as he was within arms reach, I reached up like lightning and grabbed his collar and right sleeve, then yanked him downward into my control. I felt my backhand smack something as I pulled him down. Then he screamed like a girl.

    I woke up with a start.

    It took me only a split second to realize that it was not the violent political zealot who had been the victim of my clinch. My dream was so real I had literally reached out in my sleep, grabbed thin air and yanked down hard, only to connect with my wife’s right eye.

    After blubbering out several apologies like an idiot and making sure she wasn’t going to get a black eye, I explained to her what happened and we had a good laugh.

    It did make me wonder, though – does anyone else out there have dreams about BJJ? (…)
    Finish reading Fatal Attraction.

    © SkinnyD for Arcanum BJJ, 2010. |
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    26 Jul 2010

    Grappling, Martial Arts, jiu-jitsu

  • Posted by Utah Martial Arts Feeds

    • Homeless

    This Article comes from Arcanum Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Blog
    To see the full original article click here

    For those of you wondering where I have been for the bulk of the summer, here’s your answer.

    Three weeks ago, I jumped into my car, gi in hand, and eagerly set off to the U.C.T.C. for my first evening of evening of BJJ badness in two months.

    Twenty minutes later, I found myself staring through darkened windows into a locked, dingy, completely empty brick building. Empty. No friendly, sweaty mats. No taped bags hanging from steel rafters., No cages. No boxing rings. No weights scattered across the floor. Nothing but cold, unfeeling concrete.

    I was homeless.

    After taking a couple of months off to tend to other obligations, the jiu-jitsu bug had been biting me hard. It felt like if I didn’t get into the gym soon and earn some mat burns I would be facing a mental breakdown. But some time during my 2-month respite, my gym and entire BJJ team had been ripped up by the roots.

    It’s hard to describe the sinking void that filled my stomach when I realized that not only was jiu-jitsu cancelled for that day, but that I had no idea where my next class would come from, or when. I had no idea if the U.C.T.C. had completely closed its doors or moved locations. I had (and still have) an addiction that I couldn’t feed.

    It reminded me of the scene in the Johnny Depp version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, where young Willy Wonka disobeys his father and leaves home to go adventuring. He returns home to find his entire house has vanished, leaving a garish hole where his family once resided.

    There is good news and bad news in all of this.

    A little investigation revealed that the U.C.T.C. is not closed. It has indeed moved to a new location in South Salt Lake, an additional 20-minute drive from my house.

    The bad news? I was already driving 20 minutes to get to class, and 40 minutes on the road one way is out of the question for me. Great. Now what?
    (…)
    Finish reading Homeless.

    © SkinnyD for Arcanum BJJ, 2010. |
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