Pedro Sauer Seminar 2011
James Malone and Professor Pedro Sauer at Keith Owen’s Academy. First class instruction, first class individuals.
James and I took a journey to Meridian, Idaho this weekend, to attend a Pedro Sauer seminar at Keith Owen’s academy. It was a long drive, but well worth it for the Professor’s top notch instruction, and the new friends we made with those in his association.
I had been to a few Pedro Sauer seminars before, but this felt particularly special. Professor Sauer enlightened the very full mat with open, spontaneous answers for the questions students presented. It was all gold. Some of the subject matter included a kimura reversal I had never seen before, secrets of maintaining the mount, an effective self defense half guard, and how to attack a fully turtled and defensive opponent.
But the Professor shared more than just techniques. He talked about jiu jitsu as a lifestyle, it’s transformative effects, how to create a friendly learning environment, the beauty of good mechanics, and plenty of stories with Helio and Rickson Gracie.
He tested ‎Justin James Angelos for the rank of black belt, requiring him to demonstrate 75 self defense moves. Professor promised the late, great Helio Gracie he would always make sure each black belt he graduated had those essential skills at the heart of Gracie Jiu Jitsu.
After the technical demonstration, he asked Justin to do a light roll. To see Professor Sauer move so fluidly, and so technically, was sublime. The spirit of the art was on display. Very high level. The way he moved to knee on belly, basing with his head on the ground, was solid and gave absolutely no space for his opponent. I loved his armlocks from sidemount, taken with his hips only inches off of the ground, in a movement obviously sculpted through thousands of repetitions. Sweeps so smooth, the crowd could not help but nod, smile, and murmer at what they were witnessing. At one point, Justin caught the Professors leg with a hook as he was taking the mount. Without moving his upper body, Professor Sauer retracted his leg, used his other foot to push off James’ hook to clear it, and then continued the attack. Calm, balanced, and masterful jiu jitsu.
Keith Owen and I finally met face to face. Ari Bolden was there, a very nice guy with has finally found a great mentor in Keith, in a superb lineage. Ari and I talked about the path of jiu jitsu, keeping your head down, and chipping away at the art for steady progress. I met so many great people who had traveled very long distances to be on the mat that day. Making the pilgrimage to attend seminars and enhance your learning is part of the jiu jitsu journey. A very fun part.
It was an honor to be on the mat with Professor Sauer, a living legend in this art.
