@s_afsoc Hey dude thanks for stopping in. I’d be happy to answer your question, but keep in mind that I’m speaking as a 37 year-old, no-stripe white belt with about 3 months of consistent training on the mats. Perhaps that’s the perspective you are looking for, so I’ll gladly share it with you.
Me too. I’ve been a licensed CC for quite some time, even though you don’t need a license where I live anymore. I’m not interested in fucking around with a street fight if I’m simply going about my business, which is what I do since I don’t go around starting shit with anyone. My first course of action is to get away, and if I can’t do that and someone still doesn’t want to leave me alone, I’m not fucking around at that point. If lethal force deterrent fails, well, I can always go for the Americana or the Rear Naked Choke I suppose.
My interest began with hating treadmills, ellipticals and other cardio type of equipment and cardio type of workouts, despite my clear need to do more of that stuff. A few of my buddies kept telling me how great BJJ is and what a workout you get, so I finally decided to get off of my ass and try it. Turns out they were right, it is a fantastic workout.
I also have a professional interest, and it is definitely beneficial for me as a part-time backup dive bar bouncer. I don’t often tangle there, but things can sometimes get chippy. It is just a side job, but I really like it and learning how to subdue people without injuring them could definitely be useful in certain situations. I’m not that good yet, so ask me in a year or two how that goes.
As I become more proficient my interest is becoming much deeper. The thrill of competition is part of it, and I like that I have people who are willing to go full-force rolling every night I train. Or not, if I am injured or just want to work on technique. That’s where “flow rolling” comes in. Now that I’m getting some draws and tapping people occasionally instead of getting quickly mauled by everyone, it feels pretty sweet to put this stuff together. It is a very visceral experience if you spend your days in an office setting like me.
I’m also getting in much better condition for doing BJJ, which just means I can roll more and roll better. Still LOTS of room to improve here too.
I’m generally much more relaxed. I was always relaxed, but even more so now. This seems common. Everyone I’ve met in BJJ circles has been super chill. Lots of stoners (also legal here).
I’m also becoming fascinated with the depth and complexity of the art. BJJ is sort of the science of ground fighting. It is step-by-step instructions for what to do in a grappling match. The art seems to come in with a person’s ability to apply the techniques under stress and under dynamic conditions. Different partners present different challenges and different opportunities, and no two grappling matches are the same.
You don’t get someone in an armbar by accident. You either create the opportunity OR you recognize it when the other person presents it to you. Either way, it won’t be the same as drilling it because the other person is trying to stop you. You must combine your skill, your creativity, your patience, and let’s face it, your GRIT to pull one off. The same goes for any technique. And no matter how good you get, there is going to be someone better than you. With any luck, you’ll always have those people around to roll with and show you how to improve.
The artistry of an advanced BJJ grappler is amazing to watch once you start to understand what’s going on. The brown belt I trained with over the weekend might as well have been a Jedi to me, totally unstoppable. His combination of strength, technique and fluid movement was simply brilliant, and the realization that it has taken him 10 years to get to this level makes it all the more impressive. The notion that his instructor, who has been doing BJJ for 25 years, can do the same thing to him that the brown belt did to me just blows my mind.
You also grow together as a group. The move that worked this week probably won’t next week, so you need to get more creative to win. Your partners must do the same, and you all become better together. There’s also the bonding you get from a shared suffering. Not to mention you are as physically close to these people as you possibly can be. Oh and you’re also trusting each other with your personal well-being, which also builds bonds. I’ve made some great new friends lately!
Finally I love the purity of BJJ. There’s really not much bullshit to be had. One thing I’ve learned about lifting is you can have a pretty large collection of rather fragile egos in any given gym or on any given internet. That’s just been my observation anyway. With BJJ I don’t think many of those types last. You just have to accept that you don’t know jack shit and then get on with the learning process. Acting like a tough guy douche would be completely ridiculous when you’re going to roll and get exposed anyway. I’m sure there’s plenty of ego in BJJ that I haven’t seen, but my experience so far has been overwhelmingly positive.
You just need to recognize that the ass whoopings you receive are for your benefit. They needn’t be severe, so make sure you are rolling at an intensity level that suits you. Communication between your partners and instructors is key, so let them know if you can’t go full-force. That’s when you just “flow roll”, and it can be for any reason. Maybe you had shoulder surgery. Maybe you just got your tramp stamp finished and your skin is tender. Maybe you’ve just had enough ass whoopings and you want to work on your side control escapes. Its all good.
A gym called “Soma JJ” doesn’t sound like a place where you will get mauled and humiliated when you walk through the doors. My money is on more stoners than psychopaths.
If you are at all interested, I’d really encourage you to just show up to class. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is not for everyone, but you won’t know if it is for you until you try. There’s just so much to be learned when you’ve got another person doing everything they can to choke you unconscious or break your bones.
I hope you found this helpful!
