BJJ Representing
Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueria.
Posted by Roy Dean on April, 11 2007 at 11:06 PM
Phillip Palmejar: Fighter
Brad Hirawaka (left), Phillip Palmejar (center), and myself at the San Diego Grand Nationals, after Phillip’s impressive first place finish in the grappling competition. Brad and I went as coaches, and were both very happy to see our teammate tear it up. Although still a white belt under Mr. Harris, and being the lightest competitor in his division, Phillip tapped all 3 of his opponents. Harris International Brown Belt, UFC veteran, and North County Fight Club fighter Jason Lambert won the heavyweight division.
Posted by Roy Dean on April, 09 2007 at 05:24 PM
Ninja Warrior: Makoto Nagano
Truly one of the most amazing physical feats I have ever witnessed. I remember watching hours of this competition on tape via a Japanese satellite channel, and I have never seen anyone finish all 3 levels of the obstacle course. They’ve brought in professional athletes from all over to compete on this show (I’ve even seen Kyra Gracie giving it a shot, unsuccessfully), and few make it past the first level, fewer on the second, and as I said, I’ve never seen anyone complete it. Makoto strikes me as a former gymnast, although I’ve read that he’s actually a fisherman. Whatever he does, he’s an amazing athlete. Watch here and be inspired.
Posted by Roy Dean on April, 07 2007 at 09:52 AM
Patches Are Available
Patches are available for Academy members! Medium patches ($20) contain the small academy logo, placed on the left calf, and an RDA “license plate” for the back gi tail. The large patch ($30) contains the logo which is placed at the upper back (top point nearing the middle of the shoulders), and the Academy name for optional placement. I also have one additional “Jiu Jitsu de Brasil” in a combination of kanji and katakana, handwritten by master calligrapher Eri Takase, to be placed on the leg. Smaller versions of the patch, for the wrist and lapel, are on their way. Be creative with the patches. Allow it to be another expression of who you are…
Posted by Roy Dean on April, 05 2007 at 02:54 AM
The First Promotion
Last night, in the new dojo, with a full class, I promoted Nathan Pietsch to blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. It was an honor for me to make such a talented and capable Academy member the first blue belt I’ve ever promoted. Of course, I have assisted others in achieving blue, purple, and brown belt ranks, but those tests were always done under the auspices of Mr. Harris, so the promotions were through his association. The splash of color looked good in the dojo, and there will be more to come. June 2, Jimmy will be testing for his purple belt, and a few more members are inching closer to blue. All things in time. The level of the Academy is rising quickly and this will a summer to remember…
Posted by Roy Dean on April, 03 2007 at 10:08 AM
Vehicles of Change
I was inspired by one of my spiritual teachers to wax philosophically and expound on how this noble art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can be used as a vehicle of change. Along the way, I verture off into imagined ranks, what’s necessary to overcome a stronger opponent, shared truths, and how getting tapped can be a doorway to a different way of looking at your life. The podcast is about 17 minutes, so sit back and enjoy, or burn this to a CD and listen in the car. Listeners are encouraged to comment, so click here and enjoy!
Posted by Roy Dean on April, 02 2007 at 09:47 AM
New Dojo, New Schedule
April has arrived, spring is here, and that means transition for the Academy members. Click right here to see the new schedule, and the new location. Classes are now available in both Redmond and Bend. I will see you on the mat soon!
Posted by Roy Dean on April, 02 2007 at 09:17 AM
Epic Judo Video
Fantastic Judo compilation by a true admirer of the art, in several aspects: Historical footage, MMA elements, and high level kata’s. You can see some of aikijujutsu techniques Jigoro Kano sent students like Kenji Tomiki and Minoru Mochizuki to learn from Morihei Ueshiba, as well as some beautiful Mifune footage. Plus Yamashita in the Olympic final, with a leg injury, softly off balancing his opponent and pinning him for the gold medal . Check it out here.
Posted by Roy Dean on March, 29 2007 at 02:56 PM
Associations
Added a new section to the website: Associations. These are links to close friends, partners, and sites I personally visit or recommend. Let’s take a look:
Roy Harris: My Brazilian Jiu Jitsu master, who led me from blue belt to black belt.
Alicia Photos: The best camera in the business, responsible for almost all the images on this website.
Yosokan Dojo: Run by my friend James Campbell, specializing in Japanese Jujutsu and sword.
Claudio Franca: My first BJJ instructor, and a true gentleman, under whom I received my blue belt.
High Desert Aikido: Our new friends and dojo partners, operated by Sensei’s Stu and Anne Gordon.
Sortor Bushido Kai Karate: Family oriented, Shotokan based Karate instruction, under Sensei Brian Sortor.
North County Fight Club: Founded by Mr. Harris’ first two black belts, Matt Stansell and Jeff Clark, NCFC focuses on high level MMA.
Performance Menu: Robb Wolf’s monthly athletic and nutrition journal. Cutting edge science.
The Underground: Where to learn about MMA news and rumors.
Aikido Journal: Stanley Pranin’s vast resource of Aikido and Aikijujutsu history.
Jiu Jitsu Gear: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu forums and store. Go here to feel the pulse of BJJ.
Aiki Web: Popular aiki site to engage in prolific discussions over effectiveness.
EllisLab: Rick Ellis, friend and innovator in all things web.
HCK: Howard Combat Kimonos.
Posted by Roy Dean on March, 26 2007 at 09:57 AM
March 2007
We live in an amazing age, with very powerful tools at our disposal. Take last night’s rolling as an example: A small camcorder, a little custom music, editing software, and a some powerful web publishing tools allow us put up a visual progress report on the Academy. Month to month, people will be able to see their progress, and over time, we’ll have a great archive of the Academy’s development. One minute at a time.
Posted by Roy Dean on March, 23 2007 at 10:28 AM
Three Hundred
As I sit here in a red cape and loincloth, I feel like a Spartan. How could I not, after seeing 300 last night on the big screen? Based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller, 300 is a semi historical account of the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC, where 300 Spartans held off an army of Persian warriors which vastly outnumbered them (300 vs. 270,000 by some accounts).
The ending is the same for all of us, it’s how you get there that counts. It seems to me that the Spartans had a keen sense of eternity, the other side of life, counter-balance to the mortal. Life through action. Warrior spirit. Which is not picking battles, or even having the capacity to get into one. It is the willingness to extend beyond the protective mechanisms of the self separating ego, and give your yourself to that which is greater, in this endless cycle of samsara and nirvana.
Posted by Roy Dean on March, 22 2007 at 09:50 AM
Words of Wisdom
Here are some words of wisdom from Mr. Harris, taken from a series of questions at his MMA.tv forum, where he is an expert on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Roy,
I have been training (in and around injuries/surgeries) for about 3 years. I read a lot, watch as many instruction videos as I can, and of course, hang around the “Expert Q&A” area to see what you and others say on subjects. I guess what I am saying is…I know a bunch of moves…I think I can do a pretty good job of seeing things open up when I watch others in the gym train. However, when I roll, I rarely execute what I know. I don’t think I am getting lost in ‘too many thoughts’ as I am loosing the ability to see and execute when I roll. I “think” my game is slow and tight (ala Boa) 
, but that is to say, I do better when I can control the match in that fashion. Styles make fights…tonight I got tapped by a newer guy who was going 110%. I found that this took me out of my game, and I lost focus on what I was going to do, and more on what he was going to do. (hmmm…I think as I am writting this, some of it is becoming clear). What suggestions can you make!
Brad
Brad,
What you need is more time in service….plain and simple.
Some of the frustrations you are experiencing comes from your expectations of yourself. If you have high goals for yourself, but don’t reach them in the time YOU THINK you should reach them, then obviously, you are going to become frustrated with your performance.
So, the best answer is for you to try and lower your standard, to learn as much as you can from each experience and to have more fun in class. It’s also a good idea not to tie the “idea of having fun” together with “performing well on the mats.”
From my perspective, a beginner is a student who has anywhere from one to eight-hundred hours of consistent training (one class to four years of experience). An intermediate level student is someone who has between one-thousand and two-thousand hours (five to ten years). An advanced student is someone who has dedicated a bare minimum of twelve years of consistent training to his or her chosen art.
What does this translate to in terms of belt colors? Well, it means that I consider a NEW first degree black belt as a high level intermediate level student! In other words, he or she is just about ready to begin their journey into the advanced level of training!
So, if you’ve been training for less than five years (consistently, give yourself a break. Lower your standard, learn as much as you can from each and every experience and enjoy the journey more!
Good training to you my brother,
Roy Harris
Posted by Roy Dean on March, 19 2007 at 11:38 AM
Grappling as a Woman
The latest issue of Performance Menu has a fantastic article on grappling as a woman. You can read the article for free on their site, and if you find it of interest, I highly recommend subscribing. This issue was the best yet, full of information to optimize athletic performance. Onwards and upwards in our evolution!
Posted by Roy Dean on March, 16 2007 at 10:51 AM
Shihan Brian Workman
I received a call this morning from a friend informing me that Shihan Brian Workman was killed in a head on collision on Oregon’s Highway 26. I never met Mr. Workman personally, but he was Shihan Toribio’s first instructor in Hakko-Ryu Jujutsu. Shihan Toribio would take military hops (on planes) from California to Portland to train under him whenever possible, and described his martial abilities as “awesome”. I wish to take this time to honor the knowledge that Mr. Workman passed on, as I am an indirect result of his martial influence. Please take a moment to offer a deep bow of respect, and appreciate just how fleeting this temporal existence is, from this side.
Posted by Roy Dean on March, 15 2007 at 10:46 AM
