Jiu Jitsu: A Sport for the Introvert

We say jiu jitsu is for everyone, but today I’m going to make a case for a group of people that the internet seems to be chock-full of: the introvert.

We all know the concept between introversion and extroversion: I’m not going to go into the definition because really they are unflattering on either side, but you know for the most part what they include. Introverts are seen as quiet, “thoughtful”, borderline anti-social whereas extroverts are seen as loud, boisterous and “excitable”, much like a puppy. In my opinion people are really not one or the other, but more of in the middle, with a particular leaning one way or the other.

Why do I say jiu jitsu is for the introvert? Well, here’s a list of elements someone out there on the internet recommended a sport should have to be truly successful and keep the introvert’s interest:

• Concentration
• Precision
• Self-motivation
• Intricate skills
• Individual performances

There was also a mention of “low arousal level”, but that just sounded odd so I took it out. But otherwise, really, if those qualities don’t say “jiu jitsu” all over them, I really don’t know what does. Sure there’s the whole “full body contact” element to the sport, but it’s really not that big of a deal. The real appeal lies in the “human chess” element, the whole puzzle and strategy that needs to be solved during training sessions. And while you do need someone to drill and compete with, it’s more of a one on one basis, which is much easier for an introvert to handle rather than a large group sport where they can feel lost in the crowd.

Some might say the biggest challenge for the introvert would possibly be the aggression needed in jiu jitsu, but personally I feel that falls under “self-motivation”. You are motivated to complete the technique, you are motivated to continue the match and with that aggression I personally feel will follow. Competition may also be a challenge, but that’s nerve-wracking for everyone and can actually be beneficial and helps both the introvert and extrovert.

So that is my case for jiu jitsu and the introvert: it can be an immensely rewarding experience for the introvert, if they are willing to take the chance. And it sure as heck beats other options, like golf.

Long on words, short on time

Hey guys, due to poor time management I don’t have anything for you, other than a sincere wish you all have a great day and fantastic training sessions- or do great at whatever it is you are doing today.

Have an awesome day everyone!

Training in Hot Weather: Stay Hydrated Y’all

This week has been pretty toasty in Philadelphia- if you are training somewhere also pretty hot, please stay hydrated when training.

Actually I have confession guys: I’m pretty terrible at keeping myself hydrated throughout the day, which when training in warmer weather like this means my muscles, particularly my legs and feet are more prone to cramping. Yay :-/

To counteract this, I’ve started cutting back on my coffee intake to up the water, and here are some things I do or have done in the past to keep hydrated, or at least to keep my muscles from cramping up:

- Drinking smart water. I know the electrolytes are “for flavor” but my reasoning is that it’s better than plain water (albeit more costly) and closer to having a Gatorade, just without all the sugar and food coloring.

- Eating bananas. A great, delicious source of potassium. Hooray! Just not right before training, because that would make me pretty nauseous. But if your stomach can take it and you want to eat one right before training, go for it.

- When I was hardcore low carb/no sugar, I used to take a potassium pill supplement every day. I don’t really anymore, but it may be an option for some. I had a teammate who is a nurse freak out because she was concerned too much potassium would mess with my heart, so if you decide to take them, I would say proceed with caution and even talk to a doctor if you’re concerned.

- As I mentioned, I cut back on my coffee intake. As I’m sure everyone’s aware, caffeine is a diuretic, so make sure to balance out your caffeine intake with something that will hydrate you.

Um, that’s about it. Anyone else have suggestions about keeping hydrated and free from muscle cramping? Let me know!

Good Luck to Worlds Competitors!

The IBJJF world championships, or “Worlds” start tomorrow in Long Beach, CA and go until Sunday, June 2nd.

Good luck to all the competitors, including the guys from our team heading out there.

For those staying home, is anyone subscribing to the video feed? Any matches you’re hoping/itching to see?

Let me know!

Happy Friday: Waiting for Godot Edition

And by Godot, I really mean some person for a work thing.

Hope everyone has a great Memorial Day weekend, if you honor it, and otherwise have a great weekend everyone!

Anyone Else Remember Redbelt?

I’m not talking about the documentary “Redbelts”, I’m talking about the David Mamet film with Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tim Allen and Emily Mortimer.

Maybe I wasn’t paying close enough attention when I was watching, but I thought that film was terrible. For anyone that didn’t watch it, a quick summary of the plot from Wikipedia:

“While closing his Jiu-jitsu studio one evening, Mike Terry (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is approached by attorney Laura Black (Emily Mortimer), who is seeking the owner of the vehicle she accidentally sideswiped.”

No one seems to be able to succinctly sum up the rest of the plot, but here it goes. Essentially people are rarely what they seem to be, and the main character is forced to make a series of difficult decisions, including engaging in an MMA fight when he is adamantly opposed to competition.

It’s sort of a round-about reason how I got to thinking of this film, but I can tell you when I first watched it I was not impressed. In fact, I thought the whole thing was pretty atrocious. But looking on IMDB, people are lauding Mamet’s directing and the “tension” in each scene. I just saw actors looking awkwardly at one another and saying lines that seemed terribly out of place.

What did you guys think of it? Did you think it was terrible, or brilliant? There’s no wrong answer here and you’ll find comrades on either side of the fence, I’m just curious.

The Sobering Practicality of Jiu Jitsu

So, you know how they say when you have been drinking a lot and lying in bed, and the room feels like it’s spinning you should put your foot on the ground to make it stop?

This story has a point to it, I swear.

The office I work in had the ceiling painted over the weekend, and due to poor air circulation, there were still a lot of fumes in the air when I walked in on Monday. I basically spent most of the day getting high, and a headache from the paint. I still went to class and had a little bit of what I guess would be an existential crisis of the Jiu jitsu kind. And I stared blankly at my coach when he asked me a question later in the evening, but that’s besides the point.

When drilling I wondered what were we doing here, of any of this really worked, what did all mean?! And magnets, how do they work?!?!(Bonus points if you get that reference).

Drilling came and went and then we trained, and just like putting your foot on the floor, Jiu jitsu’s practical nature had a grounding effect for me. There’s no mysticism in the art but rather the application of skill, physics and body mechanics.

We may not always embody the characteristics of “the smooth art”: we muscle through things, get smashed and passed, or fail miserably at some technique, but we try them because we’ve seen and know they work. The techniques we learn and practice are (usually) based off of people’s realistic actions and reactions, and there is a real, true beauty to that.

And that is my story about how Jiu jitsu helped me sober up from paint fumes.

BJJ “Light” Training

I think we all have experienced this, and have been guilty of it, especially at a lower belt: the promise to train light, to just flow and take it easy… And then BAM! Next thing you know, you and your partner are training hard, possibly even harder than if you two hadn’t mentioned anything about going light.

It’s most likely to happen with someone of close or equal skill. And most, if not really all of the time it’s unintentional. I think part of it has to do with one another’s expectation of what light training means- there needs to be the understanding that yes, you will probably have a more opportunity to sweep and move around, but if you are playing a slower, less outright defensive game that also means you are at greater risk of being the one swept, etc. I think sometimes the problem lies in being so absorbed in successfully executing something that we start to work hard on it, and that changes the nature of the training session.

I’ve actually for the most part stopped telling the other person if I want to go light and I just sort of do it. If they want to go harder, so be it. If they want to match my pace, that’s also their choice. If the other person suggests it I’ll definitely go along and work to match their pace.

Anyone else experience this? Anyone else want to own up to going harder than they meant to when someone wanted to go light?

Weekend Wrap-up, Diaz I am Dissapointed

Hey everybody, there was more “not training Jiu jitsu” this weekend. Whomp whomp.

I saw one of the Diaz brothers was suspended for using inappropriate language… This is how surprised I looked when I read about it: 😐

Diaz, at this point you are pretty much playing the heel- these sort of shenanigans belong in the WWE, not the UFC. I understand this is a sport that is pulling a lot of different people from different backgrounds together for these fights and a lot of them won’t like one another, but come on dude. What would you rather be known for: your fighting skills or your antics? Because right now any talent you have in the ring is being outshone by your inability to play well with others.

Anyway, hope everyone has a good Monday and great classes/training sessions today.

Happy Friday: Ladies’ Night Wrap-Up

Hope everyone’s having a happy Friday.

Our ladies’s night out was a success in my opinion, including dinner, pool and a couple of rounds of skeeball.

If that can’t be considered a good time, I don’t know what can.

Have a great weekend everyone!