Jiu-jitsu Month 20

Among massive tech layoffs, I was lucky to be able keep training. The idea

struck me when I noticed a few Google and Facebook guys stop coming. The manager

at work did put me under a "performance improvement plan," by the way (more on

that later), but I barely felt anything. Folks from the local police, the

university, and businesses showed up as usual. No new injuries befell yours

truly and four or five days a week, I sweated in the dojo.

 

A few new white belts have stayed and among them, Hadrian, Mike, and Levi were

young, big, and strong and it gave me great joy to out-maneuver and submit them.

They were either lost or just too slow, reminding me of my early white belt

days. I was even able to practice some mount attacks on Mike and teach him a few

things, which always made it more satisfying.

 

I pulled the head-lock, or kesa-gatami, from cross side a lot. Most expierenced

guys know how to counter: they either duck their elbow or clasp hands at my

armpit and bridge. I did catch a few guys by surprise, however, and was able to

trap their arms and finish.

 

As always, people have been helpful, e.g., David, Jon, and professor Weiqi

always encouraged me. Weiqi liked to try his head-and-arm guillotine on me and

thought my defense was good. "Keep doing what you're doing" he said once and

"Use the turtle as a transition" on another occasion. When I asked him if I

should try to escape a fully locked rear naked choke, he first said no and then

"You'll get a strong neck doing it."

 

Feb 15, as Stephen and I were facing off, Brenda came over camera in hand.

"I'll make you famous" she said, recorded our roll, and shared it with the team.

Stephen tapped me out with a belly-down armbar setup which turned into a

standard cross-side armbar because I rolled over attempting to get out.

Watching the video afterward was very educational: I could see my mistakes and

options much better.

 

Sam trained three years and got three stripes on his white belt. In my opinion

he should've got his blue belt long ago. 15 lbs heavier, he was very good

controlling me on the mat and I rarely passed his open guard. He is very

methodical and analyzes and drills positions much more than I do.

 

The West analyzes, the East feels. The value of intellectual understanding is

obvious. The more I train, however, the more I trust the senses and the flow

according to Rickson, e.g. In this art, the body could be superior than the

mind.

[7grizzly]

回复 '暖冬cool夏' 的评论 : Thank you, my friend, for reading and your concern.

I wish I have more videos taken of me sparring.

It's my revelation after reading a book last year. The West has an analytical culture that has given birth to its tech. advance. The East, however, does not try to dissect or quantify, but relies more on the senses to feel the world. The two approaches are indeed quite different.

No worries. I think I'm ready for unemployment.

[暖冬cool夏]

Watching the video afterward was very educational
+1. In our Sunday square dance, people like to video-tape our group dance, and it is educational to see myself among them, though always hiding behind:))
First time seeing the expression "The West analyzes, the East feels." Does it mean that east and west are connected or they are profoundly different? I googled it but did not find it.
Hope the tidal wave of tech layoffs won't impact you at all.