Self-Preservation

The beautiful art of jiu jitsu; full of wonder and enjoyment. A form of poetry using two bodies to intertwine in the struggle of survival. There is no doubt that the art is an amazing masterpiece for an individual to express their mind through their actions of movement, but is there a downside? As great as jiu jitsu is for you, over time your body will begin to go through wear and tear. Just like any other vehicle, it is important to take care of your body and not be afraid to play your game a bit differently as you venture into the years beyond.

Let me first start by saying that I am far from an experienced practitioner and don't have very many years on my vehicle, but I do acknowledge the importance of self-preservation for the long haul. I have no surgeries or major injuries that I've experienced over the short time I've been training, yet some of the small ailments experienced have left me with an appreciation to maintaining my health. Taking full advantage of some of the advice I have heard, researched, and continue to discover myself, I am more than happy to share some of the tips and tricks.

One of the most crucial rules to remember for self-preservation is to remember to tap early and tap often. Even though it is preached during every class, everywhere you go, and by everyone you meet, there are still individuals who feel as though this rule does not apply to them. The ego is a powerful entity that needs to be checked or else it destroys itself. When you tap and admit your defeat in the current scenario, all you are doing is resetting the game and it honestly doesn't get any better than that. You don't die, you won't lose your limbs, and you learn a valuable lesson. The lesson varies from time to time, but overall you learn what not to do.

Over years of practice, knowing what not to do becomes extremely relevant. For example, if you get into a new situation that you have not been in before and you understand what your opponent has for controls, it becomes second nature to start to use reverse engineering on the position. How did you get there? What does he need to do for you to tap? What grip needs to be broken first? By analyzing your opponent's options you can prevent them furthering their attack and search to undo what they have done.

Even if you tap often, injuries are not completely out of the question. Taking care of your body is essentially for long years of practice. Practicing proper nutrition, strength/cardio training, and regular stretching can lead to longevity in your training. If you do not know where to start, it is highly recommended to seek guidance through your coach or a personal trainer to give you the tools you need for a successful regime. Good hygiene can also lead to extended years of training. There have been too many horror stories of people missing time training due to infections or diseases, and if left untreated, these could compromise your own health and those around you.

Not every day of training should a battle to the death. Spending some days drilling technique or being defensive specific can go a long way to increase performance. Giving your body a break from the hardcore grind is absolutely necessary for prolonging your energy and mat time. If you are going to train five days a week, twice a day, then your body needs some time to recover. Listen to your body, rest is essential for growth.

 Learning shouldn't stop if you are injured and your appearance at training should be just as consistent. Take the time to show up and take notes, support your peers, and take advantage of viewing the class from afar. Seldom do we take the chance to sit out from a roll or technique and just watch. You may begin to understand some of the details that you hadn't noticed before. That move that always seems to work on you has a weakness that you couldn't see until you saw it at a distance and not in the moment. Making your training more of a mental process can help you put more of the pieces of the puzzle together, don't skip class because you can't roll!

Appreciate all the time you have on the mat because some day you may not be able to anymore. There are many people who overcome great obstacles to learn the art, but there are also people who cannot due to serious problems. Every time you skip a class because you aren't feeling it or you're too tired, you are wasting time that so many people wish they could have. Your worst day of being smashed on the mat after a twelve hour day of work and 4 hours of sleep, only to do it all again the next day may be a struggle, but it's worth ever second.

Take the time you have and cherish it, through the good and the bad, in sickness and health, to death do you part. That intensity level might be a little over-the-top, but it is important to understand the significance behind the message. Enjoy what you have while it's here, for life is ever-changing. Time will tap us all out in the end, so give it your all while you can.