What a Workout!
There’s nothing better than the feeling after a good martial arts workout. Usually based on the feeling of improvement, if you have learnt anything, you did your best, you felt more confident and energetic etc.
Last Sunday evening did the job for me – at Steve Perceval’s gym. A grueling calisthenic workout to start off with and then an hour of wrestling. It took me 30 minutes to dry before I could get changed. This sort of training brings out the true spirit of martial arts out of everyone especially when they swap leather or lock horns on the ground. Spare a thought for Richard Sargeant (a very fit and tough BJJ Brown Belt) who wrestled over 20 people for 30 minutes with no break! Not to mention he did an 11 km run before he came to class. He only got tapped out once! I like his style as a martial artist and a person.
This hard workout makes you sense a feeling of camaraderie which is not found on forums where many of the weak minded, who call themselves martial artists, hide behind alias names. Obviously, they don’t train enough, or don’t have many friends, to have this free time to do this kind of thing. Seriously, folks, use your time wisely and focus on your martial arts training. These iphones, x-boxes etc are not going to get you anywhere.
Looking forward to Shihan Richard Norton this weekend. This should be another one of those great feelings!
GA
they will probably look back later and share the same opinion of what I think about CB radios back then ie zero value and zero productivity. I say don’t waste your time. There are 24 hours in the day. Eight hours are for sleeping and the remaining 16 hours can be divided for grooming, work, eating, phone conversations, computer work, coffee, television etc. Why waste those valuable hours on Facebook and Forums for something with no return. Don't get me wrong, CB was great for travelling for information and in case of emergency (we didn't have mobile phones back then). Facebook and Forums can also be good when used correctly but people do get carried away (I was guilty with CB radio). This is not healthy.
During the dark ages a person with an obsession or an extraordinary skill was cast a ‘witch’ resulting in execution. It was not hard to start up a rumour about someone you didn’t like resulting them being branded a witch without that person knowing about it. No judge, no jury, just execution. The Kings would often eliminate anyone who had extraordinary skill or knowledge; this is why this period was called the Dark Ages. There was no technological progress because anyone dare come up with a discovery or information would be executed.
where there are incentives to reach targets and achieve grades. If gym clients miss a couple of sessions or break their routine, they may find it hard to return. This is how many of the big gyms make their money. Realistically, they would not be able to facilitate the huge number of members. They work on a percentage basis on the number of people who will not return which allows room for new clients. I am not suggesting gyms close down because there definitely is a need for them but I like to point out the situation with most of their members.
What a breathtaking view! But how about a breathtaking story? Darren Grieve is one of our Instructors who teaches Karate and BJJ on the Sunshine Coast when he is not policing the streets. Some of his students just happen to be Police Officers who work under him. Have a read of his email relating to an incident which took place late last year:
professional coach to some of the best kickboxers in the country and has a BJJ Black Belt under John Will. I walked in and Vince greeted me with a big handshake and hug. I spent a lot of time with Vince in the dojo and he talked about what I used to say and do in class when I was teaching him. He would never forget the time when he walked into my school and I told him to put his gloves on and we sparred the whole lesson without warming up (must’ve been a ‘grasshopper thing’). 
easy was that? Twenty nine years later, I am bombarded with so much stuff to carry around; a box trailer would be nice!
of hard training and time put into something you like. Clearly, the results are shown from what you have learnt and how you look and feel.
Sargeant and Dr Chris; getting choked, armbared, figure 4’d and leg locked. I could've sworn I saw the ‘white light' when Dr Chris crushed me with that kneeride yesterday. But I have found a solution; the Taser Gun is just what I need. Seriously, I have to be grateful to Richard and Chris including Steve Perceval and Rob Naumoski who spend countless hours with me.
The picture is of Johnny Player which was advertised on billboards of a TRAIN DRIVER'S WORST NIGHTMARE about young people getting hit by trains whilst illegally crossing tracks. The JPL (Johnny Player look) has become cultural within my circles (especially at work) because it is the look of despair, unhappiness, misfortune, which happens to everyone of us and even seen it a number of times. My blogs may have a habit of doing that because of my controversial material but I believe people take on board what I say. One more JPL for this year about self defence: The more complicated the technique, the more time needed to get good at it and remember under pressure. The techniques we’d like to see work are more for training purposes to develop our knowledge and skills in the martial arts. However, a different approach is needed when training to deal with real opponents.