Many Thanks

Many thanks to all those who attended last nights Friendship Class with High Desert Aikido.  Great energy at the dojo last night, and it’s always cool to see a long line in seiza. 

Thanks to Sensei Stu Gordon, his lovely wife Anne, and the students who warmly welcomed us.  We learned a bit about shihonage and sankyo during the Aikido portion, and how to get off the line of attack when your back is on the ground.  The technical progression for the second half of the class was:

Armlock from guard

Armlock attempt, sweep your partner to their back, then finish with a wristlock, or armlock

I look forward to the next joint class!  It’s good to be exposed to new ideas and new techniques, and get a fresh taste of beginner’s mind.  Ideally, you come to every class that way, but it’s only when you go to an entirely different art that you really allow yourself to become a tabula rasa. 

And those are the days when you might see what you once knew in a totally different light. 

High Desert Friendship Class

An Academy Reminder: There is no class at 8:15 tonight.

The High Desert Aikido Friendship Class takes place tonight, from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m at their dojo.

222 SE Reed Market Rd. Suite 400
Bend, OR 97702

541.322.0360

Show up early, and wear white gi’s if possible.  The two main Japanese terms they use are the same as ours:

Onegaishimasu (OH-NEH-GUY-SHE-MAHS)

(lit. please be kind to me)

and

Domo Arigato Gozaishimashita (DOH-MO ARE-E-GAH-TOH GOH-ZAH-E-MAH-SHE-TAH)

(Thank you very much ). 

Domo Arigato is generally enough, though.  Gozaimashita is very polite.

To open class, the Aikido instructor claps his hands, and people line up on their knees in a straight horizontal line across the mat.

Sensei Stu Gordon will be at the head of the line.  He may call for a mokuso (moment of meditation) before getting up and walking directly in front of the shomen (head of the dojo, often a small shrine with flowers and a picture of Morihei Ueshiba, founder of Aikido).

He will lead us in bowing together, clapping our hands (generally twice, but four times in some dojos), and bowing again.  Just follow along, you’ll do fine.  Then Sensei Gordon will bow to us and begin the class.

Be sure to mix it up and train with as many new people as possible.  Quickly introduce yourself with new partners, and smile.  There will be lots of good information presented from both sides.  It’s going to be a great time!

The Subject of Belts

Matt Thornton, the first athlete in Oregon to receive his black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, wrote a very nice explanation on the ranking system in BJJ.  This blog, though lengthy, comes at the perfect time as students are starting to get hungry for their requirements for the next level.  It reminds us of how the journey in this art changes over time, and just how challenging it is to rise through the ranks.  Which is exactly what makes the journey so worthwhile.

Those Gracie Boys

Ryron and Rener Gracie are the two eldest sons of Rorion Gracie, father of the UFC and the mastermind who popularized Gracie Jiu Jitsu in America.  Mr. Harris still regards Rorian Gracie as the best jiu jitsu teacher he’s ever had, in terms of presentation and clarity of explanations.  His sons don’t fall far from the tree, and have very clear and concise methods of passing on their skills to others.  Plus, these boys can fight!  Take a look at this lesson and I hope you get as much out of it as I did!

Aikido

Spectacular technique by Haru Matsuoka and Jiai Aikido‘s Un Pont Friendship Bridge Seminar.  Photo by Alicia.  Look for special pictorial on the seminar in the next E-Journal of Jujutsu. 

zero two zero seven zero seven

Bow.

Stretch. 

Ukemi. 

Drill entry to kimura from guard.

Kimura from guard submission.

Hip bump sweep, off of resistance to kimura.

Foot drag mount escape back to closed guard.

Overhook feeding to cross lapel choke, from closed guard

Overhook, hip spacing, feeding the knee past the arm for triangle choke.

Loose triangle position, lift hips, push the arm past, or roll the elbow, straighten their arm, lift your hips, and then push it past your midline.

Triangle choke mechanics, “tightening the noose”, and the final elbowlock with your partner’s arm trapped under your armpit, lifting your hips, and finishing.

Rolling.

Bow.

Sunday Seminar

Quite a few things happening at the Academy.  First, I’ll be teaching a Japanese Jujutsu seminar this Sunday, from 12-3 p.m.  In it I will cover basic wristlocks and standing grappling approaches to grabs and strikes, and explore the connections between Japanese Jujutsu, Aikido, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.  All levels are welcome, from experienced Aikido practiioners to the newest ground grappler or Karateka.  Cost is $50.  It’s also great preparation for those attending the Friendship Class with High Desert Aikido February 15th.

Second, I just received a shipment of instructional DVD’s from Mr. Harris:  BJJ 101 Revised and BJJ Over 40.  I highly recommend these titles, they will fill gaps in your understanding far more quickly than group classes alone.  BJJ 101 gives the theory, concepts, and basic techniques that all BJJ practitioners need to understand in order to advance their game.  BJJ Over 40 is featured in this month’s Black Belt magazine, and focuses on training methods, strategies and postures to moderate your energy expenditure against those 20 something whippersnappers.  Cost is $40 each, or $75 for both.

Finally, this Saturday will be the first weekend class of the Academy.  3-4 p.m.  Slightly more open format.  I have a feeling this will be a popular class!

Performance Menu Interview

I am honored to be the featured interview and cover story for this month’s Performance Menu.  If you’re interested in cutting edge training methods, dietary guidance, and functional lifting programs, this is the magazine for you.  Special thanks to Alicia for the photos, including the cover.

The editor, Robb Wolf, asked some meaty questions and I really gave an effort to provide concise, meaningful responses.  I shan’t say anymore, since there’s plenty of reading to do once the issue is downloaded.  Robb said it was one of the best interviews he’s every done, so what are you waiting for?

Download your free issue right now and check it out!

The E-Journal of Jujutsu Launches

At long last, it has arrived.  The E-Journal of Jujutsu (EJJ) is a digital publication providing specialized, technical expositions on modern jujutsu styles and stylists.  The content for the first issue is good.  The second issue is looking to be even better. 

Many thanks are necessary for those who worked hard on putting this together.  Rick Ellis, for the technical know how and his general programming genius.  Julie Wilde (who has shaped the look of the Academy in all things graphic), for the tasteful aesthetics and InDesign manueverings.  Thank you to all of my authors and interview subjects, for the first and second issues:

Roy Harris
Brad Hirakawa
Bruce Bookman
Daniel Camarillo
Richard North
Irie Yasuhiro
Jon Tessier
Robb Wolf

Huge thank you to Alicia for her beautiful photographs, which are used throughout this issue, and the next, which will feature a photo heavy article on Jiai Aikido’s Bridge Seminar.

Printing the EJJ is a recommended option.  One copy on stiff, high gloss paper looks sharp in a dojo. 

I would love to hear any reactions to the first issue, or individual articles, in the comments below.

Sprawl, Jump, Rollback

This is one of my favorite body movement exercises for BJJ, and I’ve been leading the class in it lately during the warmups.  Let’s see how Jimmy DaSilva does it:

It begins with the sprawl, hips low, head up.  The sprawl is useful for blocking wrestling shots or takedown attempts, and also for learning to drop your hips, or center.

Next, snap your hips up and bring your feet to your hands. 

Then roll on to your back smoothly, raising your hips up, and squeezing your knees together. 

Roll up to your feet and begin again.  It’s easy to see the live application of this solo exercise: