Being a Student of Your Art

This is what I get to look up and enjoy everyday.

Summer has closed out here in Rio and it is creeping towards winter in South America. That said mid-fall for Rio is a bit different than back home in Michigan. Instead of leaves changing colors/ falling off of trees and frost (maybe even snow), we have shorts and T-shirt weather during the day and a need to wear a pair of jeans if you are out at night. The days are no longer sweltering, they are comfortable and perfect to enjoy an agua de coco at a beach kiosk and enjoy Rio's beauty. I have had several chances to do just that as I rode Nicole's new bike from Flamengo to Barra, fallowing the ocean the majority of the way. I rode past Sugar Loaf, along Copacabana and Ipanema Beaches, and caught the sunset as I rode past the favela of Vidigal. To finish the ride off I rode/ran with the bike (where it was too dark and curvy for a driver to see me) over the mountain leading into Barra. Also the other day I rode around Lagoa to Humaita and back to go train. While it is somewhat taxing, it has been a great way to enjoy where I am and to spend time thinking.

Reping Senki while Sparring at Rio Fighters. Photo by M. Viera.

Since competing a month ago I have been doing a lot of thinking and envisioning what direction/path I want my BJJ and MMA training to head towards. Doing this has made me reflect on what makes successful, world class, or even masterful athletes/martial artists. Obviously you have your basic principles of hard work, dedication, and perseverance-- but I think it lies a bit beyond that. The principle I keep coming to is one I learned from one of my best friends and training partners I had in my wrestling career, Eracleo Vallejo. He preached in order to be a member of the elite in wrestling you had to become a student of the sport. So for this weeks blog I wanted to visit some ways I have tried to embrace the roll of a student in my training here in Brazil, and I hope it can help some people develop on their path.

Being a student of the sport/art is about more than just getting on the mat and training---not that there is anything wrong with just training. (To be honest when I first started BJJ/MMA it was just a way to stay in decent shape and learn something new, I had no idea it would be something I would be doing for the rest of my life.) Being a student means embracing the entire art and having it present throughout your day.

Sitting VIP at the Copa Podio.

Keep an Open Mind

One of the biggest keys to becoming a student is keeping an open mind. The moment you close off your mind is the moment you stop progressing. Staying here at Connection Rio I have seen various styles from all over the world, and no one style being better than the others. Someone may have the complete opposite game and mentality than you, but being open and realizing that their style offers value you can add new aspects to your game and strengthen existing components.

Meeting Danny Castillo at the Copa Podio.

Study

An integral part to being a student is to develop a study habit. I spend a lot of time reading, watching and listening to all things pertaining to my training. Whether it's reading articles on nutrition or sports psychology, listening to interviews with guys like Dominic Cruz to gain insights to footwork and methodology, or watching film on matches, I spend a lot of time trying to study up and gain more knowledge. Being here in Rio I have the opportunity to watch world class grapplers and fighters roll everyday, and I am able to study first hand what they are doing to make themselves the best. I seek out people with similar backgrounds who have made it to the upper level of their arts and I try to see how they have adapted what they know to form a unique style. For example, last night I went to the Copa Podio with a bunch of people from CR, and one of the matches was a submission only nogi match with Danny Castillo and Haider Rasheed. Danny Castillo, who is a talented MMA fighter, comes from a wrestling background (much like me). I spent the entire match with my eyes glued to the mat, watching to see how Danny used his wrestling with his BJJ. Everything from posture, where he put his hands, and how he wins in positions that I find myself in. Watching that match has given me some ideas for techniques I want to work on and use.

Studying some great technique on the mat.

We also live in the information age. With one search or click we can get thousands of articles or posts providing you with detailed explanations of techniques, theories, and concepts. Obviously some things need to be taken with a grain of salt, but if you wade through the clutter you can find some really good stuff out there that may make you rethink things or help you step up another rung on the ladder. Beyond the internet there are books and videos in which you can learn any techniques imaginable. Things like this can help you concentrate on all the little details that techniques hold. Plus it can give you something to talk about if you ever get a chance to meet some of the great instructors who releases these instructionals. For example we have a guest, who recently returned from Sao Paulo, where he met Saulo Ribiero. Being an avid reader of Saulo's University of Jiu-Jitsu, when he met him he told him how much he enjoyed his books (even reciting the chapter's). Saulo, being impressed, took a few minutes to talk with him and answer some questions. Which brings me to my next point---

Ask Questions

There is a saying that there is no such thing as a stupid question. While that could be debated, I do feel like you are better off asking a bunch of questions at every training then someone who never asks anything. It can be difficult to speak up in the middle of a class and ask for clarifications on techniques, but I can almost guarantee that someone else in the class has the same question, and oftentimes one little detail can be the difference between a technique working or not. If you have a specific question on a certain position it's always good to ask your instructor one on one. This can be especially useful when you have someone who is credited with being an innovator of a specific move or position. For example Gordo, who is credited with really popularizing and developing the half-guard, actually teaches very little of the position in the daily classes. BUT we have had several guys come through CR who took privates with him asking questions about half-guard, who have walked away with a completely new understanding of the position. A lot of these guys aren't just mid-level belts, a good many have been blackbelts who have been around the sport for over a decade. I have found in almost all cases asking, “How can I do this?” or “How did you do that?” or “Can you explain this?” Can lead you a a better and stronger understanding of things.

Having fun doing what I love.

Have Fun

I believe, at least for me, this is the biggest piece of the puzzle. Like they said in the Shining, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” You got to have fun with things and enjoy the journey. When you put to much pressure on having to learn and get better I have found it can sometimes be more difficult to progress. Even though I said above I watch fights and competitions to study, I also make sure to take time and enjoy things. Last nights UFC fight between Matt Brown and Eric Silva is an excellent example. I ate popcorn with the guys and enjoyed it for what it was, a great fight. I may go back to try to take something away from the clinch work that was displayed, but at that moment I was screaming at the TV with everyone else. I'm not saying that everyday is going to be fun and enjoyable, the process of improving can be extremely difficult, but it is important to realize you started in your art because you enjoy it and have fun doing it. As I always tell myself before competing, go out there and have fun, your doing this because you enjoy it not because you hate it.