My BJJ Journey

So the last couple weeks haven’t been my greatest in my jiu jitsu life. I have been dealing with some real world stuff, and have kind of put my jits on the backburner because of it. I went 3 times 2 weeks ago and this past week, I only made it to the gym once. I do miss it however, and starting Monday, it’s the gym every day for the week. As Rodrigo Gracie will be in town on Saturday the 30th for a 1 day seminar. My instructor has mentioned this will probably be the last seminar for the year, so I want to make it count.  At the end of the month I will have been training for 9 months. It’s time to buckle down and redouble my efforts to start to blend everything I have been taught into my own game, and while belt colors shouldn’t matter, I’m far enough along in my training to realize I need to be willing to step up to the next level here.  I can’t wear my training wheels forever.

Rodrigo said in his book, “The Path to the Black Belt” that the difference between a white belt and a blue belt is that a blue belt has been taught the basics, and is now, in essence, trying to make it his or her own game.

The white belt knows nothing, he is an infant in the art. He knows a little bit about things, but doesn’t really understand the principles and doesn’t really see the big picture.

The blue belt is beginning to learn what works for him and what doesn’t. He is also learning to string together the different techniques he has learned. He is starting to see a wider view, and not just one move, he needs to start to see more of the picture, not just one section.

I’ve had some success the last couple times I have rolled with knee-on-belly control, and moving from side control to north/south position to hunt submissions. I’m also finding that against guys who are closer to my skill level, I am flowing nicely between move and counter move, and the counter to that move, etc. It’s been very fun.

It’s these particular rolls that I will use as motivators for when things aren’t fun for me, where it’s hard work, and frustrating, and down right awful to train.  I think everyone goes through times like these, especially when they are in between milestones on their journey. Right now, I am not really a beginner anymore, but there are still plenty of times where I make stupid stupid mistakes.

Learn everything, put aside what doesn’t work for you, and make what does work…your own.

See you on the mats.