Today I completed 90 classes at the Gracie Academy. There is one more week of training left to go.
It is a very welcoming place, which is surprising considering that it is a martial arts school.
Instructors and staff all learned my name as soon as I arrived, and somehow they manage to do this for all the hundreds of students. It's a nice touch.
The facility is always spotlessly clean. Many people confuse tough and dirty. The Gracies do not.
Instruction has all been excellent. My only problem with the curriculum is that is that there has just been too much material for my brain to absorb.
They have to present technique appropriate to a great many levels. This means we work on stuff vastly beyond my current capabilities. It is always interesting, and often gets me moving in unfamiliar directions.
I haven't enjoyed the wear and tear on my body, but it was hardly a surprise. A person can't do multiple Jiu-Jitsu classes every day and expect to not feel it. At various times I've had to baby my knees, elbows, back, neck, and right shoulder. Right now it's my neck and shoulder, but not too bad and there is only one week left.
Gonna miss this place.
I am a 68 year old retired teacher living on the west coast of Canada. I spent over 30 years as a student of Karate until my knees stopped liking it. My current passionate activity is Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, which I've been at for about 13 years.
Saturday 22 February 2014
Sunday 16 February 2014
Again?
About to start week seven of eight.
My brain is pretty full, and no way to solo drill what I've learned already.
I need time to digest stuff, and this hasn't been happening. It's a very good thing for me that students aren't expected to attend as many classes as I do. Material repeats so that everybody gets exposed. For me this means there is review time.
If not, I'd be retaining very little. As it is, it's OK.
Back home I have access to the mat pretty much anytime. When I get there I'll focus on drilling the techniques I've been picking up.
It's remarkable how different the Gracie teaching technique is here compared to their distance programs.
The distance method has had us exposed to one technique unit per week. We then focus on it for all three training days. Here at the Gracie Academy, they throw out a lot more material each day. A typical student, who attends three times a week, will most likely face a lot of new stuff every single class.
Which method is better depends on the individual. I need lots of practice. None of this comes naturally to me.
I do like it here a lot. My wife and I are already thinking about another visit late in 2014 when it starts getting cold again up north. This time we're here for 8 weeks. Next time would be only a month or less. My body doesn't like the longer time period. Half would be just about right. Or not.
That we're thinking about a repeat should illustrate what a fine vacation it has been.
My brain is pretty full, and no way to solo drill what I've learned already.
I need time to digest stuff, and this hasn't been happening. It's a very good thing for me that students aren't expected to attend as many classes as I do. Material repeats so that everybody gets exposed. For me this means there is review time.
If not, I'd be retaining very little. As it is, it's OK.
Back home I have access to the mat pretty much anytime. When I get there I'll focus on drilling the techniques I've been picking up.
It's remarkable how different the Gracie teaching technique is here compared to their distance programs.
The distance method has had us exposed to one technique unit per week. We then focus on it for all three training days. Here at the Gracie Academy, they throw out a lot more material each day. A typical student, who attends three times a week, will most likely face a lot of new stuff every single class.
Which method is better depends on the individual. I need lots of practice. None of this comes naturally to me.
I do like it here a lot. My wife and I are already thinking about another visit late in 2014 when it starts getting cold again up north. This time we're here for 8 weeks. Next time would be only a month or less. My body doesn't like the longer time period. Half would be just about right. Or not.
That we're thinking about a repeat should illustrate what a fine vacation it has been.
Wednesday 12 February 2014
Lumps
There are common behaviours that I just don't get.
Most of the students at the Gracie Academy are serious and hard working, but not all of them. There are a few who only want to try a technique one or two times, and then just sit about.
They have managed to find the time and motivation to attend, and then do so in a half-assed way.
I can understand not wanting to be there, but if so, why be there? If I didn't want to do Jiu-Jitsu, I'd stay home and not do Jiu-Jitsu.
It's not like training like a lump will make you better at the art.
Since I've been here, there have been two UFC World Champions on the matt. They are the best at what they do.
One is from Brazil, and the other from the USA. One started in Karate, and the other in Judo. One is male, and one is female. However, they have one thing in common.
When they train, they are 100% focused on the training. Neither so much as smiles while they work. They stare at the instructors with laser-like intensity; to miss nothing. They are fully engaged.
They do not train like lumps.
Most of the students at the Gracie Academy are serious and hard working, but not all of them. There are a few who only want to try a technique one or two times, and then just sit about.
They have managed to find the time and motivation to attend, and then do so in a half-assed way.
I can understand not wanting to be there, but if so, why be there? If I didn't want to do Jiu-Jitsu, I'd stay home and not do Jiu-Jitsu.
It's not like training like a lump will make you better at the art.
Since I've been here, there have been two UFC World Champions on the matt. They are the best at what they do.
One is from Brazil, and the other from the USA. One started in Karate, and the other in Judo. One is male, and one is female. However, they have one thing in common.
When they train, they are 100% focused on the training. Neither so much as smiles while they work. They stare at the instructors with laser-like intensity; to miss nothing. They are fully engaged.
They do not train like lumps.
Friday 7 February 2014
Numbers Game
There are a lot of numbers involved with this Gracie Academy training holiday.
The goal was set to be 8 weeks of training. Information online listed 11 Master Cycle classes each week. That meant 88 classes appropriate to my level. I was good with that.
Upon arriving, I discovered that there 2 additional, early morning classes weekly as well. That meant 13 per week, or a total of 104 sessions. That's just over 18% more awesomeness.
Keep in mind that this is all only going to be possible if my body holds up. Besides fatigue, I have to avoid any major damage, or even an accumulation of minor bumps and bruises.
Then I discovered 1 Saturday class late in January was being cancelled. The new grand total became 103. I called the no-training Saturday, "a healing day." It was needed.
Today it was posted that several classes will be cancelled a couple of weeks from now. This includes 2 classes of mine. The total is now 101.
I am secretly pleased. The cancellations are both in my final week, making it the lightest of any in the two months (by a tiny bit). It might actually feel like I'm taking it easy.
This will still be 13 more classes in total than I was expecting on arrival.
So far, it looks like I will hold up until the very end. 101 is an impressive sounding number of classes to me.
The goal was set to be 8 weeks of training. Information online listed 11 Master Cycle classes each week. That meant 88 classes appropriate to my level. I was good with that.
Upon arriving, I discovered that there 2 additional, early morning classes weekly as well. That meant 13 per week, or a total of 104 sessions. That's just over 18% more awesomeness.
Keep in mind that this is all only going to be possible if my body holds up. Besides fatigue, I have to avoid any major damage, or even an accumulation of minor bumps and bruises.
Then I discovered 1 Saturday class late in January was being cancelled. The new grand total became 103. I called the no-training Saturday, "a healing day." It was needed.
Today it was posted that several classes will be cancelled a couple of weeks from now. This includes 2 classes of mine. The total is now 101.
I am secretly pleased. The cancellations are both in my final week, making it the lightest of any in the two months (by a tiny bit). It might actually feel like I'm taking it easy.
This will still be 13 more classes in total than I was expecting on arrival.
So far, it looks like I will hold up until the very end. 101 is an impressive sounding number of classes to me.
WearAndTear
Week five has been hard on me.
I've been trying to be careful. An example is how I approach sparring. It is usually the last half hour of any session. I normally stay for one five-minute roll, and then head for the change room.
I've been paired with people of every rank. The safest are those wearing belts of higher ranking colours. They have nothing to prove against a baby Blue, and so there is no risk. They kind of play with me, or maybe give tips.
The risky ones are other Blue Belts. The skill level is lower, and they often want to test themselves. I'm pretty good at defence, and some don't seem to like finding it hard to make an old guy tap.
A couple of times this week I've had partners who've pushed too hard. This has lead to a few minor injuries. Wouldn't be a problem, as a normal person gets downtime to heal.
There are also issues caused just by over use in training. An example is my right elbow. One day we did a technique where there is a rapid shift of weight onto that joint in a bit of a grinding way. Had to wear a pad to protect that arm ever since. It's a little crunchy.
I don't really get much mending time. There are 2 three-classes days and 3 two-class days each week. Weekends are quieter, as there is a single session Saturday morning. Between that class and the start of the next week I try and heal as fast as I can.
Anyhow, week five ends soon. The routine will continue through weeks six and seven.
Week eight will feel different. The Saturday at the end of that one is the finish line.
I've been trying to be careful. An example is how I approach sparring. It is usually the last half hour of any session. I normally stay for one five-minute roll, and then head for the change room.
I've been paired with people of every rank. The safest are those wearing belts of higher ranking colours. They have nothing to prove against a baby Blue, and so there is no risk. They kind of play with me, or maybe give tips.
The risky ones are other Blue Belts. The skill level is lower, and they often want to test themselves. I'm pretty good at defence, and some don't seem to like finding it hard to make an old guy tap.
A couple of times this week I've had partners who've pushed too hard. This has lead to a few minor injuries. Wouldn't be a problem, as a normal person gets downtime to heal.
There are also issues caused just by over use in training. An example is my right elbow. One day we did a technique where there is a rapid shift of weight onto that joint in a bit of a grinding way. Had to wear a pad to protect that arm ever since. It's a little crunchy.
I don't really get much mending time. There are 2 three-classes days and 3 two-class days each week. Weekends are quieter, as there is a single session Saturday morning. Between that class and the start of the next week I try and heal as fast as I can.
Anyhow, week five ends soon. The routine will continue through weeks six and seven.
Week eight will feel different. The Saturday at the end of that one is the finish line.
Thursday 6 February 2014
Dawn
Out of a planned 48 training days, there are 21 left. That works out to 39 classes. Of those, 7 start at dawn.
Out of all 21 days, with 39 classes, those 7 are the ones I'll miss the least.
I always awake in plenty of time to get there. You'd think they'd be a perfect match for an early riser, but you'd be wrong.
It isn't the physical activity. At home I often go for runs or bike rides at that hour. The problem is that I have to start really thinking before my brain wants to.
And not slow, crusty, morning thinking either. Jiu-Jitsu requires observation, analysis, focus, and memory.
I can do it in the early hours, but I don't like it.
My inclination would be to drop the morning classes, but this trip is a major investment, and every single class is valuable.
In about an hour, there will only be 6 left.
Out of all 21 days, with 39 classes, those 7 are the ones I'll miss the least.
I always awake in plenty of time to get there. You'd think they'd be a perfect match for an early riser, but you'd be wrong.
It isn't the physical activity. At home I often go for runs or bike rides at that hour. The problem is that I have to start really thinking before my brain wants to.
And not slow, crusty, morning thinking either. Jiu-Jitsu requires observation, analysis, focus, and memory.
I can do it in the early hours, but I don't like it.
My inclination would be to drop the morning classes, but this trip is a major investment, and every single class is valuable.
In about an hour, there will only be 6 left.
Monday 3 February 2014
Machida
I thought I was getting used to glimpsing big-name Jiu-Jitus, mma, and UFC notables. After all, I had another brief Ronda Roussey sighting recently and didn't even bother to mention it.
Turns out I'm not as jaded as I thought.
Today there were three guys out on the mat prior to the Master Cycle class.
One was Rener Gracie acting as coach. Nothing unusual in that. The guy on top was Brendan Schaub. He fights in the UFC heavyweight division.
His partner was Lyoto Machida. He is a former UFC light heavyweight champion. He now fights at 185 pounds, and will most likely take the middleweight title within a year.
Quite an interesting show for five or ten minutes.
Turns out I'm not as jaded as I thought.
Today there were three guys out on the mat prior to the Master Cycle class.
One was Rener Gracie acting as coach. Nothing unusual in that. The guy on top was Brendan Schaub. He fights in the UFC heavyweight division.
His partner was Lyoto Machida. He is a former UFC light heavyweight champion. He now fights at 185 pounds, and will most likely take the middleweight title within a year.
Quite an interesting show for five or ten minutes.
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