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Archive for June, 2012

Blue Belt Week 28, June 28, 2012

Posted in Jiu Jitsu, tagged , , , on June 30, 2012| Leave a Comment »

This week, I went to grappling techniques class.  It was at headquarters on Tuesday morning at 10:00 am.  While training, a three striped purple belt showed up late and asked my practice partner, a brown belt, if he could join our group.  He said okay.  As soon as it was my turn to practice the move with the new comer, he started causing me pain.  I didn’t say anything.  I thought it to be bad manners.

While practicing a new move, he was overly aggressive, I would say almost pissed.  I could feel my right shoulder buckle and the pain started.  At that point, I then immediately stopped and told the guy I was only interested in technique.  I didn’t have to communicate this to the brown belt. He lightened up, but it was too late for my shoulder.  Fortunately,  I think the injury was just a torn muscle.

I am trying not to hold onto anger or to be vengeful. I am focused on winning.

In order to avoid injury I advise the following, to minimize injuries, communicate right away 1)  Introduce yourself.  2) Tell them that you’re trying to do the move without power and in control. 3) Tap immediately if you feel pain. Don’t wait until it is too late.

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Blue Belt Week 27, June 22, 2012

Posted in Jiu Jitsu, tagged , , , , on June 25, 2012| Leave a Comment »

This week we relearned the pizon, the side kick.    Professor Joaquin had a good point for the class, something that I didn’t consider before, that the pizon is a good defense against an approaching boxer.    The pizon doesn’t require much force to damage a knee.  Once an attacker is hit with the pizon to the knee, if the pizon doesn’t damage the attacker’s knee, it will hurt, so they back away.   Also, the pizon can  be used to the mid section of the body which is a larger target.    Basically, what you want is the attacker to keep a safe distance.      In conclusion, when the pizon is done properly, it is a great defense against a boxer that is approaching from a distance.

Changing subjects, the Miami Heat won the National Championship this week.  Lebron James, of the National Champion Miami Heat, and James was this year’s MVP of the league, made an interesting comment about his last year’s play verses this year’s play.

 “Last year I played with hate. That’s not the way I play. I play with a lot of love.” Lebron

In 2011, the Miami Heat had a humiliating loss to the Dallas Mavericks in the playoffs.  James was blamed for much of the loss.  He even excepted full responsibility.  So your probably wondering how this relates to Jiu Jitsu??  When James played with passion and love, it contributed to his whole team winning the national championship.   The message is that passion and compassion is more powerful than hate.  I believe this to be true.   I noticed with the Jiu Jitsu instructors, when they grab the kimono to show a move, they are relaxed almost like they aren’t there… not with power and anger.  Hate is focused on hurting.  Passion is focused on winning.

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How to bring goodness into your life.

Posted in Self Development, tagged , , , , , on June 19, 2012| Leave a Comment »

If you did something bad and you’re looking for a way to get right. This powerful meditation is a good start. It takes about 10 minutes. You can also say it in your mind while waiting in line.  Before you start, think about someone you care about for a few seconds then start reciting the following in your mind or out loud.

If you do this meditation, in the morning or in the evening for thirty days, it will bring goodness into your life. You will also notice that people start to treat you better.

Note, I don’t take any credit for this meditation which I obtained from a buddhist monk on youtube.

Loving Kindness

(Say the following three times.)

May all beings in my home be free from hatred.

May all beings in my home be free from anger.

May all beings in my home be free from jealousy.

May all being in my home be free from stress and suffering.

May all beings in my home be happy and well.

May all beings in my home find the ultimate peace and happiness.

(Say the following three times.)

May all beings in my city be free from hatred.

May all beings in my city be free from anger.

May all beings in my city be free from jealousy.

May all being in my city be free from stress and suffering.

May all beings in my city be happy and well.

May all beings in my city find the ultimate peace and happiness.

(Say the following three times.)

May all beings in my state be free from hatred.

May all beings in my state be free from anger.

May all beings in my state be free from jealousy.

May all being in my state be free from stress and suffering.

May all beings in my state be happy and well.

May all beings in my state find the ultimate peace and happiness.

(Say the following three times.)

May all beings in my country be free from hatred.

May all beings in my country be free from anger.

May all beings in my country be free from jealousy.

May all being in my country be free from stress and suffering.

May all beings in my country be happy and well.

May all beings in my country find the ultimate peace and happiness.

(Say the following three times.)

May all beings in the world be free from hatred.

May all beings in the world be free from anger.

May all beings in the world be free from jealousy.

May all being in the world be free from stress and suffering.

May all beings in the world be happy and well.

May all beings in the world find the ultimate peace and happiness.

(Say the following three times.)

May all beings in the Universe be free from hatred.

May all beings in the Universe be free from anger.

May all beings in the Universe be free from jealousy.

May all being in the Universe be free from stress and suffering.

May all beings in the Universe be happy and well.

May all beings in the Universe find the ultimate peace and happiness.

(Say the following ten times.)

May all beings be happy and well.

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Blue Belt, Week 26, June 15, 2012

Posted in Jiu Jitsu, tagged , on June 14, 2012| Leave a Comment »

I am a quarter of the way to purple belt. I had earned my first blue belt stripe.  The belt system is like climbing a mountain. The higher you climb, the tougher the course.  The toughest part on the nine year climb is the very top, the black belt test.

I had some good insights into my lack of zanshin, awareness, thanks to a fellow blue belt named Barry.  Zanshin is an important aspect of jiu jitsu. During review on Wednesday, I had briefly forgotten a self defense move. I felt foolish. My mind should be alert. It wasn’t. While I had Barry in my guard, he reminded to make pretend ear strikes.  In a sneak attack, Barry had successfully kicked me in the stomach. I wasn’t prepared. I was frustrated. Barry’s mind is alert. He then asked me a question. ” From this distance, 10 feet, 3 meters, how could someone attack you?  He is aware of the distance and has an idea of the attacker’s next move. I need to be more like Barry.

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Blue Belt Week 25, June 8, 2012

Posted in Uncategorized on June 9, 2012| Leave a Comment »

It has been six months since I earned Blue belt.  A few days ago was the Summer belt ceromony which I couldn’t attend. I had made the Winter event a life turning point. That night, I made a commitment to my self. Gracie jiu Jitsu isn’t just a gym to workout at. It is the accepting of a new life style, a fitness of mind and body. The winter ceromony felt like an ordination. I let go of an unheathy life to purse a health life, a life that will produce fruit.

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Blue Belt Week 24, June 1, 2012

Posted in Uncategorized on June 5, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Nothing to report. I have a lower back injury that I am taking care of. FYI,  I hate going to the doctor which I try to avoid at all costs.  I am improving.  I am worried if I return too early that I could reinjury myself and start all over again. I should be attending class regardless.  Sometimes its good to take a break.  I don’t like being fanatical about anything, really.

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