Blue Belt Mount Escapes
Just a preview of the mount escapes module from my upcoming Blue Belt Requirements DVD. The response from both MMA.tv and Sherdog has been positive. And the best is yet to come!
A Beautiful Letter
Dear Mr Dean,
I just wanted to write expressing appreciation for your candid writings on the martial arts. I have been a student of aikido for 17 years. I had a “ferocious” shihan teacher from Hombu Dojo whos beautiful displays of violence convinced me for years that he was “invincible”. But i was getting tired of watching the beatings, getting them and the cult-like atmosphere.
One day a friend of mine invited me to try brazilian jiu jitsu and just as you report, nothing that i had learned as a sandan in aikido could help me (i didn’t have any judo skills to fall back on). This made me question everything about aikido and the sensei.
I have since left that teacher. I now recognize that he was beating up us “defenseless” ukes. I no longer wanted to be one of those folks. I am 47 years old and decided that i did not want my body destroyed.
I still train in aikido at another dojo. There are many things that I love about aikido, but recognize the art’s limited value for self-defense, as you have done in your article. This is the first time i have read something about aikido/BJJ that rings true for me. I am training BJJ through private lessons at the Ralph Gracie academy in SF and meeting real fighters who put their money where there mouth is in the octagon.
I am impressed to to watch your videos and see how you have blended BJJ and Aikido into your teachings. I often feel that aikido is “not enough” and BJJ is “too much”.
Thank you again.
My friend, thank you for the beautiful letter! I am happy could be of service in sharing my insights. It is my aim for my interpretation of BJJ to be a middle path, a safe yet effective vehicle for self discovery. Years ago, while preparing for my shodan, I was guest in an Aikido dojo and thought to myself “Man, I’m too rough for the pretty boys (Aikido) and too pretty for the rough boys (BJJ). I don’t think there needs to be a separation. One can be effective by being “soft.” But the trick is, soft is not soft, soft is just hard enough. That’s all we need, and anecdotes about how soft one man was in his techniques doesn’t help me today. Each generation must rediscover and reinvent that truth of effectiveness for themselves. Congratulations on leaving the box and expanding your horizons! Please keep me updated on your journey…
Congratulations Competitors!
Hearty congratulations to the competitors in the 2008 Bend Submission Grappling Championships! Anthony, TJ, and Donald each performed well. Given that this was their first BJJ/Submission grappling tournament adds even more points in their favor. Anthony took first in the 135-155 pound weight class in the gi division. His first match was a draw, as the rules were submission only, no points. A second match was to be held with points to decide the winner, but the opponent declined. He had dropped a lot of weight very recently to make the division, and was exhausted from the first match. He graciously declined the opportunity to fight again, giving Anthony first place. Well done Anthony!
After a torturous wait for the no gi, 135-155 weight class, TJ had his hands full with his opponent, who normally fights at 170 pounds. They drew after the first 6 minutes, and in the three minute overtime with points, TJ tapped to a head and arm choke. It was still a great performance, and the match itself was not an easy introduction to competition, especially with the ruthless and constant can openers from the opponent. Not a fun day to be a neck, either. We will work on a few positions fit in nicely with your game and give you several strategies for dealing with this kind of opponent. You will grow a lot because of this, I guarantee!
Donald has some fine moments in both his gi and no gi matches, as the video above shows in the aptly titled 3 Taps. He held his own against the very capable Dan Graf of Acrovision, who had some beautiful moments of his own, including a sweet throw to choke combination that was extremely well executed. He lost in the finals by an inside heel hook against a very skilled, purple belt (possibly brown belt) competitor from Reno, Nevada, who had come up to support a teammate in his MMA fight later that night in Desertbrawl. Great experience for Donald, and he definitely represented. You are the man!
Celebratory dinner for the competitors took place at Staccatos. First rate food, magical company, and a perfect setting to toast each of those that stepped up.
Thanks go out to: JT Taylor for putting on the tournament. Marty Moody for the fair and safe reffing. Jimmy for the coaching. James for the incredible dinner. Rick for taping and supporting this process. Thanks to all the friends, family, and Academy members who came out to support, including (but not limited to) Burr, Darryl, Dennis, Neil, Brian, Ron, Paul, Chris, Jonesy and Hailey.
We will definitely do it again. Till next time.
Seibukan Jujutsu Gasshuku 2008
Footage from the yearly gathering. I have jumped into that ocean many times in January. Enjoy.
Bend Submission Grappling Championships 2008
Come support the team at the Bend Submission Grappling Championships this weekend at the Bend Armory. 3 athletes will be going forward to represent the Academy: TJ, Donald, and Anthony. Rick will be filming, and Jimmy and I will be coaching. Weigh ins are at 12 p.m. on Saturday, with the first matches starting at 1 p.m. JT Taylor is hosting the event, and has also invited a few other teams from out of town in addition to our local clubs. Spectator fee is $5. Submission league rules apply to the no gi portion, and IFBJJ rules apply for the gi division. Good luck gentlemen!
Update: Weigh ins will be done without the gi. Kids and women’s divisions go first, starting at 1 p.m., and mens weight classes will follow light to heavy. Gi divisions will kick off the mens tournament, and no gi matches will be held in the cage.
HCK: All Comers Tourney
New music. The was a special match for me, considering how much I’ve admired Camarillo brothers style of jiu jitsu, and modeled much of my game after Dan’s armhunting tactics. Of course, you can see a higher quality version here. Circa 2003.
Roy Harris: Fourth Degree Black Belt
Huge congratulations to my instructor, Mr. Roy Harris, on his promotion to fourth degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu! Professor Joe Moreira came down to San Diego, put on a seminar and promoted Mr. Harris, making him one of the highest ranking Americans in this art. The mat was packed and more pictures from the event can be seen here. I feel fortunate to be part of such a great lineage, and been able to train under a master instructor like Professor Harris. Bravo!
Aikido and BJJ Discussion Part 1
This off the cuff discussion is generating some interesting dialogues. You can check out the Aikiweb response here, or the slightly less erudite reactions at Bullshido. Several more talks on this subject are forthcoming.
Many Paths
From the inside booklet of the upcoming CD release:
There are many paths to realizing who we are, with many disciplines to study.
You can stretch your body and yoke your consciousness with light beyond yourself.
You can swell your muscles with blood for the bliss of when suffering ends.
You can run you body over the earth to transcend yourself for a moment.
Each of us must discover our own truth through personal experience.
Truth can be seen. Truth can be felt. Truth can be heard.
This is the Sound of the Way.
Malone Blue Belt
Well done James! Great turnout for this test, and the celebration afterwards. Big thanks to Susan for hosting, and the chefs responsible for some of the best Mexican food I’ve ever had, and all the flavors of the homemade ice cream were sublime. James broke his left little toe in 3 places during the test, so he may be sidelined briefly, but he never let on during the demonstration and showed tremendous heart. Darryl, get ready. Nice combinations Donald! A higher quality version can be seen here.