No Gi Essentials Trailer

The Release of Piano 21

For those curious about my musical past, Piano 21 was just released on iTunes.  10 songs, recorded in one sitting on my last night as a 20 year old.  Each song was composed in relation to the others.  From the cascades of “Waterdance” to the frenetic hammering of “Velocity,” this album embraces the contrasts that only the piano forte can deliver.  I even threw in a cover of U2’s “One” for good measure.  Take a listen. 

Caryn Ackerman: BJJ Blue Belt

Please join me in congratulating Caryn Ackerman on her promotion to blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu!  Caryn showed crisp technique, tremendous heart, and gameness through and through.  It’s worth noting she’s my first female blue belt.  Really proud of her performance.  Bravo!

The Beauty of Yoga

Stacey Lee demonstrates a posture I cannot do.  She is currently teaching yoga in Islamorada, Florida.

I’ve wanted to fall in love with yoga for a long time. I always knew, subconsciously, whether through past life experience or an attraction to Yoga Journal cover girls, that I had an affinity for this ancient tradition.  I had said to myself several times that if I found myself unable to train martial arts, I would devote myself to yoga.  I recognized a relationship, without really knowing why.

So I tried different things over the years. I went to a Zen and yoga retreat at Tassajara,  where I was able to sample the Iyengar style. I liked Iyengar, with long static postures and the use of props to achieve the correct positions, but it didn’t capture me.

Of course I had tried Bikram Yoga, a.k.a “hot yoga.” Doing classes was certainly a rush, but the amount of water I lost every class was shocking, the pungent 115° F room was less than appealing, and the intensity of it made me question whether this could be an everyday discipline.

Then came Ashtanga.  Jimmy turned me on to it.  He swore it was the real deal, that the instructor David Miliotis was definitely a “black belt” yogi, and that I would like it.  He described the clarity of mind and sense of centeredness he felt after each session, and said that of all the styles he had tried, or all the physical disciplines he had explored, Ashtanga was really unparalleled. 

I was intrigued, but not completely sold.  Part of me wanted to go shala hopping, trying out classes at all the schools in Bend, partly as a social exercise, and partly to sample the goods to make an informed decision.  But I trusted Jimmy’s opinion, called up David Miliotis, and scheduled my 2 week introductory course with Stacey Lee, an advanced practitioner and instructor who led afternoon sessions at Ashtanga Yoga Bend (AYB).

Stacey led me through the standing postures of primary series.  It was tough.  Many modifications had to be made to the postures so that I could come close to approximating them.  My shoulders were astoundingly tight.  My hips rebelled.  My hamstrings laughed.  There was not an iota of relaxation in holding any position.  Stacey made everything look smooth and effortless.  I was a white belt once again, in a long established no gi system of movement.

Other yogas left me satisfied with a light sweat and a nice view.  This was different.  This was demanding in its precision.  Breathe this way.  Look at that.  It was technical.  Serious.  It reminded me of jiu jitsu.  Finally, something had clicked.

Afternoon yoga classes were just about the best warmup imaginable before teaching BJJ, though I was told that morning practice was even better.  Initially I didn’t believe, but once I made it, I quickly converted. 

That first A.M. practice stands out for me.  I woke up, groggy and sore, threw some coffee down my gullet, and stumbled to the shala.  I came back 90 minutes later, loose and relaxed, with unparalleled equanimity of mind.  Chakras were open for business, and I was a changed man. 

I am still a white belt, working my way through primary series, but I’m excited by the progress I’ve made.  Postures that were difficult have now become easy, and postures I thought I would never get are now within reach.  My hips and back have loosened up to a degree I’m amazed by.  I feel faster and significantly less prone to injury, particularly in my knees.  Recognition and control of my center has definitely increased.  I feel the balancing effects of this yoga on every level.

And all I had to do was practice.  Just show up and practice.  There are a number of disciplines that this lesson applies to.  For example, all of them.

I’ve fallen in love with yoga.  Finally.

TJ Brodeur: Fortitude

TJ Brodeur’s first album “Fortitude” went live today on iTunes.  Click here to check it out!

There are a lot of things I love about this album.  First, it rocks.  Second, it successfully combines the major influences of my guitar hero youth (Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, and Yngwie Malmsteen) with electronic studio trickery, samples, and tasty beats.  The album grooves, shakes, echoes and shreds. 

The question is:  Are you man enough to listen?

The Space Between

Piano 21 Cover Art

Blue Belt Memories

Kimberly Souza, Master Francisco Mansur, and myself with utterly ridiculous hair.

I received my blue belt under Claudio Franca, one of Francisco Mansur’s top students.  Even after moving to San Diego and training with Roy Harris, I would occasionally end up back in Northern California and hang with my old crew.

At Claudio’s San Jose academy, Garth Taylor and I rapped out about my upcoming promotion to purple belt.  I also mentioned that 2 others were going to be promoted around the same time, Kevin and Luke.  Garth was Luke’s wrestling coach in high school, and the one who got him involved in jiu jitsu.  Luke and I moved down to attend UCSD at the same time, and we both began training under Mr. Harris.

Garth, having known Luke as an undersized kid who was often whooped on, voiced his opinion that Luke probably shouldn’t be promoted just yet.  Let him dominate at the blue belt ranks for awhile was his reasoning.  Garth was a black belt, and I had no reason to disagree. 

Back in San Diego, Mr. Harris and I were chatting after class and I relayed Garth’s opinion that Luke shouldn’t be promoted.  I will never forget how his face changed, not into an expression of anger, but simply a stone cold visage.  Then, I generously volunteered “I’m not in any rush to be promoted.  Take your time.”

“Don’t worry,” he replied.  “I will.” 

I cringe when I think about that conversation.  Me, a blue belt with a couple years of experience, telling my instructor who and when to promote.  The man who taught, coached, and encouraged me, who knew my BJJ inside and out, who could shut me down at any time, with a depth to his game that I really could not even conceive of, was the man I was giving advice to.  Unbelievable.  I needed to trust more and realize that he was growing me, and others, at the right rate for long term success and a true understanding of BJJ.

Mr. Harris did take his time in promoting me, receiving my purple belt after 5 years of training.  Luke morphed into a total and complete stud, with a superhero like physique and a slew of the hottest girlfriends San Diego had to offer.  I’ve never forgotten that conversation, and keep it in mind as I have now become the professor, and continue to grow my students and friends, one at a time, in the way that serves them best.

Meditations on 2010

Off and running in a new year, and I have list going, of course.  Not necessarily goals, but meditations on where I’d like focus my energy.  In no particular order:

RDA Clubs and Affiliates

Affiliated schools launch in 2010, either as a club (led by blue belts) or an official affiliate (purple belt and above).  I want to help others create this kind of training environment in their own hometowns.

Junior BJJ Program 

Another kids class is in the works!  Led by Neil and Becky, materials are being finalized for a standardized class structure, skills, rank and testing requirements. 

No Gi Essentials 

Already filming this new set.  The look is unlike anything out there, and anything I’ve done before.  The rewatchability factor will be high.  Can’t say too much more…

New Music

I have 2 albums ready to go.  “The Space Between” will soon be mastered in Seattle, and the other album is a piano solo project that’s waited many years for release.

Yoga

My Ashtanga Yoga practice is just starting to get good.  My body has never felt more loose, or structurally balanced.  And I’m still not flexible, at least by yogic standards.

Judo

Dr. Jim Allen, Nidan (second degree black belt) will be leading traditional Judo classes every other Friday, 5:30-7:00 p.m. (starting January 15 and 29th).  Be there!

Female Blues 

Caryn, Becky, Trish, and Kirsty are all expected to do blue belt demos this year.  I’d also like to bring up Nadija Anderson, one of my earliest students, to test during Jiu Jitsu Fest. It would be dynamite to see her spar against 3 female blue belts.  People would be inspired.  Trust me.

More Purples

James, Rick, Steve Greenaway, and Sensei Brian Sortor are all on schedule to receive their purple belts in 2010.  Depending on how people train, and their level of motivation, there could be more… 

RDA Gear

I would like to take RDA gear to the next level, with official gi’s, shorts, rashguards, and T-shirts.  Manufactured abroad, but worn worldwide.  The revolution has begun!

Winter Break Schedule

Winter Break has arrived, and the Academy will be closed from December 24th through January 1, 2010.  The first class of the new year will be Saturday, January 2 at 2 p.m.  See you there!

Fred Perl:  BJJ Blue Belt

Please join me in congratulating Fred Perl on a solid blue belt demonstration!  Fred’s techniques were crisp and well paced.  The rolling showed tremendous heart and tenacity.  Well done!

TJ Brodeur: BJJ Purple Belt

Please join me in congratulating TJ Brodeur on a fantastic purple belt demonstration.  As you will see, the bar is high.  Filmed by the keen eye of Steven Burke, this is bound to be a classic.  Bravo!

TJ’s Purple Belt Demonstration

Our very own TJ Brodeur will be doing his purple belt demonstration this Saturday at 2 p.m.  There will also be a post demo celebration at Casa de Ellis later that night, with refreshments and UFC on the big screen.  Be there!

Super Mario Glover

True jiu jitsu.  Circular movement, anticipation, flexibility, and clean submissions.  Study on this!

Thanksgiving Schedule 09

I’m headed back to Alaska to spend time with family for the holidays. 

Dojo schedule will be slightly modified, as follows:

Tuesday: Donald will teach the 7:30 advanced class.

Wednesday and Thursday:  Closed!  Stuff yourself with protein and veggies.

Friday:  Day class is on with James teaching.  Evening class cancelled.

Saturday:  TJ teaching at 2 p.m.

Monday:  Neil at 7, Jimmy at 7:30

Tuesday:  I’m back!

Have fun.  Be safe.  I may do some training while up north…