Getting back to it

I remember feeling like a fish out of water when I first started doing Jiu jitsu. Trying to figure out what it was all about while getting tossed around like a ragdoll. It took some time but I started to be more and more comfortable and familiar with the positions and reasons why I was suppose to be there. I started off doing no gi Jiu jitsu, that's a big no no for traditionalists. Some believe that not learning the gi is really taking something away from the art. I think that if your goal is to be successful in MMA you must stay deeply rooted in no gi jits as there is no one in the octagon that's gonna choke you with their lapel. I totally understand the feeling that maybe people aren't grasping the traditional ideas of Jiu jitsu. However Jiu jitsu is many things. It's a major part of history,it's self-defense,a sport, and an ever evolving art that demands serious concentration and respect. It is not owned by Japan, Brazil, or America. Jiu jitsu is owned by the people that practice it.

I learned so much from my first instructor Troy Waugh, Abu Dahbi Combat Club competitor and referee, pro MMA ref, and all around good guy. He was so easy to understand that it made it easy, he just had a knack for it. Under his watch I won my division in my first tournament. I trained for about 3 years and started feeling very comfortable with my skillset. Unfortunately, I left the gym after several owner changes and disorganization. Troy moved and I focused entirely on my Muay Thai. I hadn't found a way to get back to Jiu jitsu until now and what a way to come back. I picked up another teaching gig at a place that has a well known Brazilian Jiu jitsu instructor. The wonderful thing about this is that it's Gi. So now I return to doing jits and not only that but I get to really increase my skills.

The instructor is Jorge Pereira, a 6th degree blackbelt under Rickson Gracie. I feel like i'm getting proper instruction and I'm loving starting over. It may seem strange to some but this time the Gi allows me to have handles to grab on to instead of someones slippery arm. I feel great about rolling twice a week and can't wait to compete again. It never stops, only you do. Evolve into a fully rounded fighter, don't hold yourself back into only liking one thing or another. It's all related at some point you might be on your back, then what?