Relax Relax
Through the graciousness of the association and with donations from it's members, enough money was put together to allow sensei Mike to travel to Brazil to meet and train with Rilion Gracie(now in Florida). Rilion is the son of Carlson Gracie and Royce Gracie's cousin. Here is an essay relating to Mike's training sessions. Enjoy
By the time my first group lesson came around I had already had 2 private workouts. I felt ok but I had a nervous feeling about being matched up with a Brazilian. Aren’t they all undefeated in every contest? That plus the fact it was 85 degrees and humid added to my nervousness. The class started harmless enough, and I was eventually paired with one of my peers. We started in the guard and worked from there. He blocked my advances and I blocked his attacks also. I tried moving to the side. And couldn’t get a hand in to apply a choke. But when he moved I tried to move faster to beat him to the block. To show him I knew the move he was trying and he better not go there. I knew my technique would work since it works at home…But I wasn’t at home. Now I could feel the heat. The room was a sweat box. No AC. Hot and humid. With all the excitement I hear myself panting. Must catch my breath. Why am I so tired? Sweat dripping in my opponents eyes trying to drown him. But no. He’s not even looking at me or my attack for that matter. He’s looking at the ceiling. He looks at the wall. At the others next to us. He’s not concerned with the match or its outcome. He’s just blocking and attacking. Learning. I’m trying to win. He’s relaxed, I’m anxious.
I notice this fact in all the young strong men in our group. They are so relaxed they don’t seem to even sweat. They use muscle when needed and rest when they can even if the opponent is still trying. Sometimes it looks like both are resting in the middle of their match. It didn’t take me long to figure it out and I fell in step trying to relax. When I did, my hips sank and I used my weight more. When I didn’t think about how to win, I did better. I even started to look at the ceiling. My future would be much different. I was learning by watching…
….The Brazilians are a strange people. They drive like a bat out of hell. There doesn’t seem to be any speed limit. On narrow streets cars zoom by the curb at 50 miles an hour. My first taxi ride was exciting to say the least. I fit right in being from the fast pace back home. But for every yang there must be some yin. People saunter down the street without a care for the time. The street along the beach is closed to cars on weekends and people amble along for exercise, for site seeing or to chat with a friend. The beach itself is a plethora of people. For us a mall would be fine to meet friends but here the beach is the place to meet, play volleyball, sit in a lounge chair, chat and relax with friends. The heat and the beauty of Brazil must have something to do with the laid back atmosphere of the natives here.
It didn’t take me long to fall in step with the regulars. I tried hard at times not to pass anyone walking. The slow pace was relaxing and at the same time re-energizing. I had more time to think about my classes, my trip and my friends back home. Things appeared so clear and my mind could focus for longer periods AND I wasn’t so tired at the end of my walk. All I had to do was learn to relax.
I was able to escape their attacks just as well.
At times I felt I did real well in submitting someone and other times I got my butt whipped.
Winning is nothing though. Ok, you win and you restart only to lose the next time. Winning was fleeting. Losing was better. I saw a technique THEY did and how THEY applied it and how I couldn't escape it. Yes I wasn't just there to show what I knew but I went there to see how THEY do jiu jitsu.
Ok, they are not black belts so I'm sure they make lots of mistakes but they all looked good to me! They seemed to know what to do when a move didn't work. Like a combination or something. So they weren't left just forcing one technique.
…ICHI-GO ICHI-EI…
One meeting, one chance. Every meeting is a chance to learn something. It’s hard though to follow this philosophy all the time. Sometimes you just, well don’t think about it!
… “God gave you two ears and one mouth, so you can listen twice as much as you speak.” Down in Brazil I was just like that. I didn’t say a word. If Rilion wasn’t talking then nothing was important. I kept my mouth shut. Silent during the sessions, I asked questions in short sentences. And then listened with both ears. I got a better understanding of his thoughts when I didn’t say, “Ya, I know.” Or “Ya, I understand” I only said “Entendu” (I understand) when he asked. These privates were my one chance, my one meeting to hear the ideas of jujitsu from one who knew. I listened with my whole body as you would when experiencing a throw or takedown. I listened so hard my skin hurt!..
…My Brazilian counterparts in the group class had an interesting habit. Whenever one entered the “dojo” they came to each person there and shook hands. Either a handshake or a pat on the shoulder was called for. They would go straight to Rilion as he taught and shake his hand. While 2 practiced a hold or escape, you guessed it. They tapped the two on the shoulder. They in turn would say hi and continue. They even shook MY hand as they went around. When they decided to leave for the night, the same thing took place. Whoever left would shake the hands of every practitioner there.
Again I fell right in step with my drenched kimono and belt hanging from my neck, I pointed, shook and patted all my compadre to say hi and when leaving for the night. A nice way to say thanks for giving your neck or arm to me so I can practice. See you tomorrow.
I said goodbye to all my friends on Monday night. Some had already said goodbye to me when they left, and when I took my leave I made sure to acknowledge each and every one with a handshake and a friendly smile.
Wednesday was a holiday. No class….Friday happened to be a second holiday…no class.
I will not get a chance to see my friends before my flight. Sad, but again, satisfied with the fact that on that last class I had shook all hands that helped me and they shook mine. Every class, a chance to make friends. Every class a chance to say hello and goodbye, this could be the last time we meet…
That time it was.…ICHI-GO ICHI-EI
In conclusion, I must say the trip was informative and progressive. Although I returned with the same, but much dirtier, white belt than I had left with, I did experienced Jiu jitsu from its source in Brazil. I came away with techniques that hopefully will take me to the next plateau of training. I experienced the tempo, the grip, strategy, techniques, friendship and lifestyle of Jiu jitsu as practiced in Brazil. Again, I would like to express my thanks to everyone and I hope to share my experiences at future meetings.
Sensei Mike
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