How to improve your mental game for Brazilian jiu jitsu
There are a lot of areas to pursue on the topic of the mental aspect of sports. I just chose to focus on three here because they are easy changes that anyone can make that will yield results. As you read more of my blog, you’ll notice I’m a big proponent of positive incremental changes that add up over time.
So why not take some easy steps to improve your BJJ?
How to train like a brown belt, no matter your belt colour.
What does belt rank mean in Brazilian jiu jitsu? I had an interesting conversation with a fellow student today that helped crystallize some thoughts that had been brewing in the back of my head. For context, this friend is a blue belt. He has just returned to training and – like most of us –…
What it’s like returning to BJJ during COVID Phase 3
I live in Toronto, which recently entered phase 3 of its COVID-19 response plan. That allows certain businesses to reopen, including martial arts gyms. There are strict precautions in place, some of which I’ll discuss below. But no matter what restrictions are in place, there is still some element of risk involved. We each have…
Ego in BJJ: Why playing passively is hurting your training
The role of our egos in Brazilian jiu jitsu is talked about often. In fact, BJJ has a reputation for finding the most fragile aspects of our egos and crushing them into a fine paste. Paraphrasing Joe Rogan, he’s said that BJJ simulates a life-or-death fight – and getting tapped out in a sparring match…
3 key ideas to help you ace your Brazilian Jiu Jitsu stripe or belt test
Almost everyone gets nervous before a test. Some of us get butterflies in our stomachs. Some people get nauseated or struggle with words. If you’re going to be doing jiu jitsu for a while, you better get used to belt gradings!
Why my first Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class was so bad (but I ended up in love with it anyway)
Believe it or not, my first ever Brazilian jiu jitsu class was actually not a good experience and I almost gave up hope then and there. From the title of this blog you’ve probably guessed that I didn’t, but it took me about a year to try another class – and I never went back to that first gym. Here’s how that unfolded.
Starting BJJ as a complete beginner
Looking back to when I started Brazilian jiu jitsu in 2009, I compare it to when Harry Potter found out he was a wizard. There was this whole world of amazing possibilities and everyone was doing stuff I just couldn’t understand; it might as well have been magic.
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